Recently, we have been exploring the impact of scattering ashes.

Scattering ashes in meaningful areas has become very popular. This is due to the rise in cremation and the fact we want the people we love to be somewhere special. If there is a place you shared special memories this may seem like the perfect idea. However, we need to realise that scattering ashes can harm surrounding habitats.
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We have seen the impact ashes have had on some of our woodland, native wildlife and wildflowers. It was one of the reasons we decided we needed to find environmentally friendly ways to scatter ashes. This doesn’t mean we can't scatter ashes, but there are things we need to consider.
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​Not everyone is into flowers or wants to have cut flowers at a funeral. It has become a tradition and for some is a meaningful way they can remember the person special to them. Yet, it isn’t something families should feel they have to do. There are many wonderful ways to celebrate the people we love. Having a ‘physical’ tribute’ at a funeral is one of these, but there are other ideas you may want to consider.

​There are so many decisions to make when planning a funeral. Burial or cremation? Environmentally friendly or traditional? No-fuss or full-on celebration? Which coffin to choose?

Spring is here and with the arrival of lambs and wildflowers we are definitely feeling it and are on, 'spring watch'. We are celebrating the start of spring, also known as the spring equinox by sharing a blog on the wildlife and wildflowers you may find when visiting the natural burial grounds. 

Current events have made many of us think about what we want to happen when we die. Here at Leedam it has got us thinking about our own wishes and funeral arrangements, and how we can let those we love know what is important to us in a simple way.
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'For When I die...' is a list of prompts that we hope will enable people to write down what is important for others to know when they die. We wanted to produce something as an antidote to the commercial funeral plans that are pushed at us on TV and social media. The 'For when I die...' document is entirely free and completely yours to use to share your wishes with the people closest to you.

Producing it got me thinking too; so I wrote down what I feel is important for me when I die. When I discussed it with my daughter, Rhi, she suggested that I should share it as a blog to introduce the concept. So here it is... 

In 2020 Leedam (Native Woodland Ltd) and our natural burial grounds, had the honour of winning a Green Apple Award 'For Environmental Best Practice Sustainable Development Green Champion'. As March signals the start of spring and a time where everything is becoming green, we thought it would be the perfect time to share this news.

We were honoured to have won a Green Apple Environment Award for our environmental practices and sustainable development. You can read more about Leedam and our natural burial grounds in the essay we submitted.

​It's 'World Wildlife Day', and the theme this year is something we are very passionate about, 'Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’.

We understand how important it is we find sustainable solutions because the human population has grown exponentially, more than our planet can sustain if we continue in the manner we are accustomed to. There are sustainable options that we can choose which are respectful, personal, environmentally friendly and wildlife-friendly. Often these are not traditional, but this is not a bad thing. It’s good to find new ways that are better for us and our planet, but we have to learn to embrace new ideas, one of which are environmentally friendly burial practices such as natural burial. ​

Rosie from 'Personal Poems' recently got in touch with us to discuss how poems can make a funeral really special. This is why she helps families to create personal poems, and she has shared with us this beautiful poem she has written about natural burial from some of our own stories. 

With all the talk of changing the way we do things and helping our planet recover and find balance, we thought it would be nice to share some of our sustainable burial practices. ​