A gentle alternative

Unhurried, tranquil, and private, the burial ground offers a gentle alternative to a traditional cemetery or crematorium. There is space and time to create your own bespoke ceremony within the ethos of the natural burial ground.

Professional funeral directors are there to support you and help you achieve what you want to do. A good funeral director will provide the help and support you need when you need it. If you wish to do as much as you can yourselves, there is no legal requirement in the UK to use a funeral director.

Both family-organised funerals and professional services are welcome. We don’t provide funeral services ourselves but do offer a lot of advice and suggestions.

Coffins and embalming

Coffins should be made from and lined with natural, biodegradable materials. No plastics, MDF or chipboard should be used.

We can’t accept embalmed bodies for burial unless there are exceptional circumstances. Cremated remains contain no residue from embalming chemicals and can therefore be interred in the meadow.

Plots

You can choose a plot for a natural burial, or find a place in the meadow to inter ashes.

Graves are unmarked, but they are laid out in a grid pattern and we record the location and measurements from survey points. We provide these and other coordinates so you can easily share the location. If you struggle, we can flag the spot for you.

Read more about finding the spot

Double plots

Burial and interment plots are single-depth, and double-plots are side-by-side.

In woodland areas, developing tree roots and canopy prevent new graves from being dug next to older ones, but we will offer the closest possible arrangement when the time comes.

Alternatively, cremated remains can be included in a coffin burial or combined in one ashes plot at the time of interment.

Memorial plaques

Inside the entrance is a solid chestnut-framed memorial panel where slate plaques are mounted. Each plaque is inscribed with the name, year of birth and year of death of those buried here.

We have selected the materials and construction to withstand the test of time and weather. For many, it is important to have the name of the person written and recorded, especially as there are no markers on the individual graves in the natural burial ground.

If you would like to order one, please go to the forms and prices page, download a memorial application form, and email it to us.

Memorial plaques

Memorial rights are granted for the display of a memorial plaque in the frame. Rights last for a period of 25 years after which they are renewable. The renewal of memorial rights in the future will provide an important contribution to the upkeep of the frame and other maintenance at the burial ground after income from the sale of rights of burial has ceased.

Wild Flowers

The natural burial ground lies within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in order for us to comply with the terms of our ground lease and planning consent all trees and flowers planted there must be native species indigenous to the area.
We regret that any flowers that are planted which are not native wildflowers will be removed.
In the orchard bulbs and plugs can be planted, or seeds sown:
* Primose (Primula vulgaris)
* Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
* Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
* Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
* Wood Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
* Wild Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)>
* The Common Shield fern
* Hart’s Tongue Ferns
In the meadow, native wildflower seeds may be scattered on the grave and the surrounding area after the burial. The mix should be chosen to suit the clay sub-soil.
Native species are not easily found at the garden centre but can be ordered from specialist nurseries including these suppliers:
* www.scottswildflowers.co.uk
* www.englishplants.co.uk

Leaving flowers and mementos

In order to conserve the natural habitat and protect bereaved families, graves must not be gardened and nothing should be placed or planted and no seeds should be scattered on the graves without consent from the Custodian, Sally. She can advise on native species and a supplier.

Our aim is to keep everything as natural as possible to maintain and enhance the local biodiversity. Anything that appears without our consent will be removed. Please make sure that this is right for you before you commit to the burial ground. It will not suit everyone.