Our Story - Bath Natural Burial Meadow

Recently we have been updating our stories and wanted to share with you the natural burial meadow at Bath and the story behind it which includes the orchard restoration project the burial meadow has made possible...

​Clearbrook Farm, on Midford Hill just south of Bath is a former dairy farm, farmed by Janet Cross’s late husband John. Janet contacted us at Leedam after spending some time researching natural burial grounds and discovering that, uniquely, we work in tandem with landowners to get permissions granted, set things up and to manage the burials afterwards. 

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​Janet wanted to set up the burial ground so that she herself could be buried there when the time comes and to know that the land would have a sustainable future. Following a lot of hard work and the help of a local councillor who championed the project it was awarded planning approval and Bath Natural Burial Meadow was opened in June 2012.

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This has not only given the landowners the chance to have their wishes recognised it also meant they were able to offer a natural burial ground for others who also wished to have a Natural Burial, Interment of Ashes or Scatter of Ashes in the meadow, surrounded by beautiful countryside and nature. Somewhere their families could visit and take a moment to remember and reflect, or even walk the dog. Simple and no fuss, but still close to those they love. A peaceful, relaxed place where you can bring the whole family, walk the dogs, visit the lambs or just enjoy the meadow flowers and the wildlife. ​

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One of the features of the burial ground has been an orchard restoration project which enabled us to initially offer Tree Planting in Memory where families could plant a tree and dedicate it to their family member or friend. This proved to be so popular that all the new heritage apple trees were planted in just a few seasons. The most popular variety, Beauty of Bath, grows very well, and a special request for a Tickled Pink resulted in more families wanting the same unusual pink-fleshed variety. As the Orchard has grown in has given us the opportunity to offer Scatter of Ashes within the orchard as another choice for natural scatters.

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​Some seven years after first opening, and more than a decade after first considering the possibility, Bath Natural Burial Meadow is part of the culture of the wider community. Its popularity and success is largely attributable to the warm welcome given by Janet, her daughter Sally (now the custodian of the burial ground) and the Cross family, who have made this special place available to all. They love being able to offer somewhere beautiful and peaceful to those who want something natural close to the countryside and nature.

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If you want to find out more about Bath Natural Burial Ground or would like to visit don't hesitate to give Sally a call.