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Winter Greens

27/9/2013

As the days become shorter and the leaves start to turn nobody wants another long hard winter. But, if it happens, at least we’ve got some highlights to look forward to.

The winter calendar contains plenty to divert us. At the moment, particularly in rural communities, there are gatherings going on all over the UK. Harvest Festival remains a popular community knees up involving suppers, singing and general bonhomie. Even the hymns we sing are more akin to drinking songs. Although part of the church calendar, it has delightfully pagan overtones related to the ‘Harvest Moon’ and autumn equinox.

Halloween comes next. A pumpkin in the window if you are a traditionalist and, love it or hate it, ‘trick or treat’.

In November we have bonfire night. Originally to celebrate the failure of the attempted assassination of James 1st by Guy Fawkes in 1605. Now though, a night of revelry and fireworks where anti-Catholic sentiment is no longer compulsory. It actually was compulsory until 1859 when the 1606 act was repealed!

“The weather was wild but it was ok because we were wrapped up warm, Dad would have loved it!”

Christmas and New Year celebrations keep us going for a bit longer and if you can’t make it through January there’s always Burns night.

So the seasons change and we associate various events with each one.

Funerals in the winter can involve the weather at its most elemental. Crisp, frosty mornings, stormy skies, autumn colour, mist draped over the landscape. But if you’re wrapped up warm and have a cosy room and a log fire to gather around after the event…. One of the healing effects of going back to visit and remember someone at a natural burial ground are these changes of season and the accompanying weather.

Life and nature move unstoppably forwards.

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Thoughts from James

17/9/2013

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The concept behind Natural Burial is one of giving back to nature. The body is returned to the earth,
clad in only natural, biodegradable materials, without toxic preservative treatment and at shallower
depth, to encourage transformation by nature in the living layer of the soil.

Natural Burial Grounds vary greatly in style and approach. The common theme is they offer an area
dedicated to Natural Burial. They range from grazed meadows to memorial gardens, from existing
woodland to land now dedicated to becoming new woodland, from nature reserves within towns to
wild, open country. Ideally each should have a sustainable plan for the long-term future.

Many of us can relate to the idea of being returned to the earth when we die – a bit of gentle
recycling. Others are inspired by a reaction to what they don’t want – the industrialisation of death,
a religious service, or a formal set piece ceremony. Most like the idea that they will not burden the
next generation with a grave to tend. The simplicity and ‘no-fuss’ surrounding natural burial appeals
too. Natural burial grounds offer an informal setting with more time, more space and more meaning;
they are growing in popularity as more people experience this alternative.

All grave locations are plotted and recorded, but the ‘eco-friendly’ stance of natural burial grounds
varies widely. Some allow memorials on the graves, benches and vases; they accept embalmed
bodies, plastic-lined and chipboard coffins. Others are dedicated to preserving the landscape and
maintaining a sustainable future for the land after the income from burials comes to an end – and
may adopt a genuinely environmentally responsible approach.

Although the number of natural burial grounds is increasing every year, the closest might be further
away than your local cemetery, so think about whether the distance of getting there and back is
important to you. For many, the knowledge that the land management takes care of the grave and
that person buried there would appreciate being there means fewer visits are made.

If you like the idea of natural burial, why not call a few operators and visit them ahead of time –
perhaps at different times of the year to see what they feel like through the seasons. Then you can
be sure of finding a site to suit you and your family.

Helpful tip

When choosing a burial ground, ask how the land will be managed in the future and how that will

be funded once the income from burials ends. The operator should have an economically and
environmentally sustainable plan for the future.

If you like the idea of being buried somewhere natural or beautiful where family can visit, why not

look into natural or woodland burial grounds?

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Cardiff Natural Burial Meadow shortlisted for 'Cemetery of the Year'

17/9/2013

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Considering there are around 4,000 cemeteries across the UK (York University), we are extremely proud to announce that our Cardiff and Henley Natural Burial Grounds were both nominated for 'Cemetery of the Year' at this year's Good Funeral Awards.

Our Henley Burial Woodland went on to win the award, which we are delighted to announce too.

Together with Paula Rainey Croft's 'Lifetime Achievement Award', we believe the results are indicative of the British public's more discerning funeral preferences.

See our two nominated burial grounds here:
www.cardiffnaturalburials.co.uk
www.henleynaturalburials.co.uk

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Henley Woodland Burial Ground wins 'Cemetery of the Year'

17/9/2013

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Our commitment to minimise the impact on the countryside combined with the personal guidance and friendly support of the burial ground’s custodian Andy Chanter, ensured that Henley Woodland Burial Ground won the much coveted ‘Cemetery of the Year’ award at this year’s Good Funeral Awards.

The awards were presented by Pam St. Clement aka Eastenders’ Pat Butcher (pictured opposite).

At the Q&A session following the awards presentation Pam talked about her death bed performance. Unlike her teary TV scene however, there was no lack of words as Pam gave a fascinating account of how she undertook her final goodbye.

You can read all about the awards here www.goodfuneralawards.co.uk

Melissa receiving the award from Pam St. Clement, aka Eastenders' Pat Butcher.

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Winter Greens

Thoughts from James

Cardiff Natural Burial Meadow shortlisted for 'Cemetery of the Year'

Henley Woodland Burial Ground wins 'Cemetery of the Year'

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