A gentle alternative

Unhurried, tranquil, and private, the burial ground offers a gentle alternative to a traditional cemetery or crematorium. There is space and time to create your own bespoke ceremony within the ethos of the natural burial ground.

There is no legal requirement in the UK to use a funeral director – you are the funeral director and you make the decisions. The professionals are there to support you and help you achieve what you want to do.

We don’t offer funeral services, but both family-organised funerals and professional services are welcome.

Coffins and embalming

Coffins should be made from and lined with natural, biodegradable materials. No plastics, MDF or chipboard should be used.

We can’t accept embalmed bodies for burial unless there are exceptional circumstances. Cremated remains contain no residue from embalming chemicals and can therefore be interred in the meadow.

Plots

You can purchase a plot for natural burial or for cremated remains.

Graves are unmarked, but they are laid out in a grid pattern and we record the location and measurements from survey points. We provide these and other coordinates so you can easily share the location. If you struggle, we can flag the spot for you.

Read more about finding the spot.

Double plots

Burial and interment plots are single-depth, and double-plots are side-by-side.

In woodland areas, developing tree roots and canopy prevent new graves from being dug next to older ones, but we will offer the closest possible arrangement when the time comes.

Alternatively, cremated remains can be included in a coffin burial or combined in one ashes plot at the time of interment.

Memorials

It’s important to commemorate the names of the dead and when they lived.

The natural burial ground will remain as a natural environment. Unlike a conventional cemetery, there will not be rows of memorial stones, benches, vases of flowers or mementos, which would alter the special natural quality of the woodland.

Memorial plaques

Inside the burial ground among the woodland are two solid chestnut-framed memorial panels where slate plaques are mounted. Each plaque is inscribed with the name, year of birth and year of death of those buried here.

We have selected the materials and construction to withstand the test of time and weather. For many, it is important to have the name of the person written and recorded, especially as there are no markers on the individual graves in the natural burial ground.

If you would like to order one please go to the forms and prices page and download a memorial application form and send it to us.

Memorial rights

Memorial rights are granted for the display of a memorial plaque in the frame. Rights last for a period of 25 years after which they are renewable. The renewal of memorial rights in the future will provide an important contribution to the upkeep of the frame and other maintenance at the burial ground after income from the sale of rights of burial has ceased.

Creating a new woodland

Native tree planting at the natural burial ground will create a new area of woodland, improving biodiversity and encouraging wildlife to visit.

No individual trees are planted as memorials. Other burial grounds which do are much more like parks or gardens. We aim to create a wilder more natural woodland.

The vision for the future is that as the planted woodland grows, seedlings and shrubs form into saplings and trees. The leaf canopy extends to block the light and shade the ground. Secondary growth of naturally seeded trees and shrubs spring up to fill gaps and the under-storey plants develop into a thicket – wildlife thrives.
Decades pass and the large trees mature to dominate the woodland. Smaller trees and shrubs form the under-storey and margins; taller herbaceous plants mark the transition from woodland to open glade, where shorter grasses are grazed.

Mementoes and plants at the burial ground

In order to conserve the natural habitat and protect bereaved families, graves must not be gardened and nothing should be placed or planted and no seeds should be scattered on the graves without consent from the custodian, Jonny. He can advise on native species and a supplier.

Our aim is to keep everything as natural as possible to maintain and enhance the local biodiversity. Anything that appears without our consent will be removed. Please make sure that this is right for you before you commit to the burial ground. It will not suit everyone.