Our Story - Pembrokeshire Natural Burials

Recently we have been updating our stories and wanted to share with you our natural burial ground in Pembrokeshire and why the landowners wanted to offer natural burials...

‘We have been in the process of applying for a Natural Burial Ground in Pembrokeshire since early 2019. As a celebrant it was something I was already passionate about as I wanted families to be able to celebrate the people that they love in a way that was right for them. I had officiated at the natural burials in Cardiff and Usk and knew how peaceful and beautiful these were. I have always liked the way they gave families the freedom and time to do things their way, but also loved the peaceful, relaxed feel of the burial grounds. When I realised there was not a natural burial ground in the county I was surprised because people love Pembrokeshire because of the countryside.
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When we started New Meadow Farm we saw a real opportunity to bring something special to Pembrokeshire. We both loved the fact that you can bring dogs, you can take horses, you can have a very simple service or no service at all. You can have any type of service you want, and arrange to arrive in a certain style such as following a tractor or with a cortege of motorbikes, ultimately people can choose what fits them as a family.

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We did this with Leedam Natural Heritage because they are passionate offering sustainable natural burials that are personal, but which celebrate and support the countryside we love being a part of. lt was also something they wanted for their own family which we felt was important.  James who is the director of Leedam Natural Heritage has said, "We have had a lot of interest in this project since we started this application. A lot of people are keen to find out more about natural burial, and funeral directors are delighted that we will be bringing a natural burial ground much closer to home. I have been highly impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by both Sarah and Dai and am certain that this will be reflected in the love and care they will bring to managing the land."

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We are hoping over time we can  show people how this sustainable approach allows land to be used not only for burials but also for grazing and local wildlife, and how low impact it is. The natural burial field will remain multi-purpose, it will have some low impact facilities that will help make visiting the burial ground easy and simple, but means we can manage the land in an environmentally friendly way. It will still be used for farming so it supports our local agriculture which is important as it have been widely accepted that farms have to diversify in our current economy. Natural burials is one of the ways we can support farming,  but this also allows us to support our community working hand in hand to make a future that is eco-friendly. ​

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It also encourages wildlife so allows us to work with nature. We can offer simple, natural burials which don’t involve headstones, though everything is digitally mapped and recorded. We will give family and friends an uncluttered, peaceful place they can visit with the dogs and the family if they wish. It will be a place where they can remember their loved one in quiet, peaceful surrounding, while also celebrating them in their own special way.

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We are looking forward to opening the natural burial ground as soon as ground works is complete and will be having an open day which will be a chance for people to come and see the burial meadow, find our more about natural burials and it will be a relaxed family and dog friendly day, and I'm sure a bit different from what people normally expect from a cemetery. 

If you are would like to find out more about natural burial or the natural burial meadow including, pre-purchases please feel free to get in touch as Sarah would be more than happy to help.