Across the UK, more and more people are choosing non-religious funerals as a way to celebrate life in a unique and personalised style. Whether you identify as atheist, agnostic, or simply prefer a secular approach, some options allow you to bid farewell in a beautiful alternative to a churchyard or a crematorium.
Non-religious funerals offer a departure from traditional religious ceremonies, providing a platform for a more personalised farewell. These ceremonies focus on celebrating the life lived rather than adhering to religious rituals. They allow for creativity and flexibility, encouraging mourners to share stories, memories, and anecdotes that truly capture the essence of the departed.
For those seeking an alternative to traditional churchyards, natural burial grounds present a serene and eco-friendly option. Cardiff & The Vale Natural Burial Meadow offers a peaceful final resting place surrounded by nature.
Natural burial grounds prioritise environmental sustainability. The absence of traditional headstones and the use of biodegradable coffins contribute to a more eco-friendly final resting place.
Set in a picturesque location just outside of Cardiff, the burial ground provides a tranquil and beautiful backdrop, creating a serene environment for reflection and remembrance.
Rather than traditional headstones, Cardiff natural burial meadow offers alternative memorial options such as a mounted oak plaque within the walls of the memorial shelter at the burial ground.
A non-religious service is a ceremony that celebrates life, milestones, or events without incorporating religious traditions. These services often are led by a secular celebrant, humanist officiant, or a chosen friend/family member.
The ceremony may include speeches, readings, memories and non-religious music, with a focus on personalisation and inclusivity. Symbolic gestures like lighting candles, raising a toast of their favourite drink or planting a tree may be incorporated. Alternatively, a moment of reflection allows attendees to contemplate or remember in their own way. The overall tone is one of celebration, emphasising humanist principles, personal values, and positive memories.
For more information on non-religious funerals and natural burial grounds, feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team. We are here to support you and help you create a farewell that is as unique and special as the life being celebrated.
At the Cardiff & The Vale Natural Burial Meadow, you can purchase a burial plot or an ashes plot, either ahead of time or for someone who has died.
The burial ground is divided into 9 areas, each with slightly different features. The western meadows are sheltered in woodland. To the east, meanwhile, vistas open towards the Garth Mountain, along the Taff Valley to Castell Coch, St Fagans, Caerphilly Mountain and Craig Llysfaen.
The further east you walk, the more of the city you’ll see. Head across to the tall beech trees in the south-eastern high ground and, on a sunny day, you’ll catch the light dancing on the surface of the Severn Estuary, the two bridges leading your eyes across to the Mendip Hills of Somerset in the distance.
Hazel - £850
Middle Meadow - £1300
North Meadow - £1415
West Meadow - £1415
Scots Pine - £1620
Sycamore - £1800
Parkland - £4675
Hazel - £425
Middle Meadow - £635
North Meadow - £705
West Meadow - £705
Scots Pine - £810
Sycamore - £890
East Meadow - £1110
Beech - £1110
Parkland - £2330
Memorial Plaque - £335
The burial ground is located a few miles from Cardiff Culverhouse cross along the A48.
We recommend that before you make the decision to purchase a burial or interment plot, you go to visit the burial ground, to make sure it is the right place for you and your family.
The site is open all year round during daylight hours so please feel free to visit without making an appointment. The pedestrian gate is always open. Or if you would like a guided tour around the ground, please get in touch with Annabelle, the landowner and custodian, who will be happy to meet you there.
Whether you're arranging a funeral now or planning for the future, we have put together information packs for you to download.
The burial ground was established in 2008 and occupies the plateau of parkland on the western rim of the city. The meadow is a very special place, which is because of the birdsong, wildlife, wildflowers that surround you.