Our Story - Cardiff Natural Burial Meadow

Recently we have been updating our stories and wanted to share with you the story behind Cardiff and the Vale Natural Burial Meadow and some photo's including of the animals that call it home....

​Coedarhydyglyn is a beautiful classical country house at the centre of a parkland estate on the western edge of Cardiff, was built for the Traherne family in 1820. The current owners, Rhodri and Annabelle Traherne became aware of our Usk Castle Chase natural burial ground through the Country Landowners Association, and invited us to visit them to have a chat about having a natural burial ground at Cardiff.

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​Coedarhydyglyn is a bit of a tongue-twister for non-Welsh-speakers and is pronounced locally as Coedriglan, meaning 'the wood along the glen'. That simple description nowhere near prepares you for the picturesque beauty of the ‘glen’, the parkland and the well-tended gardens surrounding the perfect classical country house - it is no wonder that the whole place is Listed as being of National Importance. When Rhodri then suggested the high ground above the house for a Natural Burial Ground - Wow! That was spectacular! Panoramic views across the parkland estate, Cardiff city, St Fagans, Castle Coch in the middle distance the Bristol Channel, and the two Severn Bridges. It was perfect... simple, beautiful, peaceful.

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​The burial ground was established in 2008 and occupies the plateau of parkland on the western rim of the city. The burial meadow gave us the chance to offer burials and interment or scatter of ashes that were natural. The meadow is a very special place, which is because of the birdsong, wildlife, wildflowers that surrounds you, but it is also because of the people that have chosen to be a part of it, who each have their own story and their own reasons for choosing a natural burial. While families have the time and freedom to do things their way. 

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The burial ground features fine mature trees planted more than a hundred years ago. In 2012, to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and to ensure the long-term future of the parkland, nine Sessile Oaks were planted in three groups of three trees. These have now outgrown their tree guards and are developing into fine specimen trees and we within these were are able to offer interment or scatter of ashes for those who may prefer to be shaded by the trees with the birds singing overhead.The burial ground continues as grassland pasture. It is beautifully managed by the Trahernes and presents a fine and prestigious location with commanding views across the surrounding land. ​​

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When local TV presenter Chris ‘Korkey’ Corcoran visited to record an item for BBC X-Ray about planning your funeral, James Leedam remembers - he was sitting in the long grass and asked if he could have this spot, right here, because he could see his whole life from there - he grew up there, went to school there, live over there and work by there. He then smiled and lay back in the grass and contemplated being there in the future - yup, that would be perfect (https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/x-ray/2010/07/planning-your-funeral.shtml)

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If you want to find out more about Natural Burials at Cardiff or would like to visit the burial meadow don't hesitate to give Anabelle a call.