Woodland Burial Grounds
Plots in traditional graveyards are not to everyone’s taste and can be hard to come by. Larissa Khatchik looks at the green alternative provided by natural woodland burial grounds.
For a natural alternative to the traditional burial ceremony, green funerals at woodland sites are the way forward.
These eco-friendly grounds are located in beautiful, natural English woodlands. They not only provide a unique and fitting way to commemorate your loved one, but are also kind to the environment.
A green funeral is a natural choice where you can create a dignified and respectful burial in a natural environment. These are several natural burial grounds in and around London, each offering a beautiful site and stunning views.
In order to uphold the concept of being green, biodegradable materials must be used for the coffin, such as willow or bamboo. And as a replacement to the traditional headstone you can mark your loved one’s resting place with wooden plaque. All the materials used must be able to be recycled to complete the circle of life.
To ensure that your woodland burial meets ecological requirements your funeral director or the burial ground can advise you what clothes the deceased should wear and what can be left around the grave at the time of the funeral ceremony.
No chemicals are used on the ground. Nature will be left to take it’s course, allowing everything to return to the ground naturally. This will promote plant growth and encourage wildlife to develop.
The woodland or lad that is used is protected and can be visited by you, friends and family, as well as generation to come.
Most natural burials sites allow you to hold a ceremony or a memorial service and either they or a funeral director can advise you on how to create a meaningful and personal day to honour your loved one.
You may want to consider using recycled paper for the order of ceremony. And for the refreshments you could opt for organic, locally sourced food.
Another positive aspect is that these woodland burial grounds can tailor to different faiths and their religious needs. Although you are not required to hold a ceremony, the burial grounds are available to all faiths and can often be blessed at the request of the family. This means these beautiful, natural, woodland grounds are available to all.
“THESE ECO-FRIENDLY GROUNDS ARE LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL, NATURAL ENGLISH WOODLANDS”
| CHILTERN WOODLAND BURIAL PARK | |
| Potkilns Lane Jordans Beaconsfield HP9 2XB Tel: 01494 872158 Email: chilternenquiries@woodlandburialparks.co.uk Website: www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk |
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| Chiltern Woodland Burial Park is a 72-acre mature woodland cemetery, where burials and ash interments take place amidst the tranquillity and beauty of the tree-filled landscape. Stunning, award winning ceremonial buildings provide the ideal venue for funeral and memorial services, a minimum of two hours is available for each family to honour the life of their loved one, and the experienced staff are present daily throughout the year to provide support and advice. Located just off of junction 2 of the M40, near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, Chiltern Woodland Burial Park is a place where life truly continues. | |
| CLAYTON WOOD NATURAL BURIAL GROUND | |
| Clayton Wood Brighton Road Clayton West Sussex BN6 9PD Tel: 01273 843 842 Email: info@claytonwood.co.uk Website: www.claytonwood.co.uk |
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| Set in the heart of West Sussex just to the north of the South Downs and Jack and Jill Windmills, Clayton Wood offers Full Burial, ashes plots and ashes scattering services for people looking for a green alternative to a traditional cemetery. We are within the new National Park and are only planting native trees. | |
| OLNEY GREEN BURIAL | |
| Yardley Road Olney Buckinghamshire MK46 5EH Tel: 01234 241808 Email: enquiries@olneygreenburial.co.uk Website: www.olneygreenburial.co.uk |
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| Situated between Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton, Olney Green Burial Ground lies on the atmospheric slopes of the Great Ouse valley, overlooking the market town of Olney. Established in 2000 and now with our own funeral directors, we can provide any style of funeral and all aspects of arranging, planning and support for family arrange funerals as required. | |
| HERONGATE WOOD | |
| 73 Rainsford Lane Chelmsford Essex CM1 2QS Tel: 01245 284985 Email: enquiries@woodlandwildlife.co.uk Website: www.green-burial.co.uk |
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| Herongate Wood is a green cemetery of 25 acres of rolling Essex wild-flower meadow, adjacent to ancient bluebell woods near Brentwood. We have our own Private Service Chapel. You may pre-book single and adjacent plots. Funeral Plans available. We are also Funeral Directors and offer the fullest range of ‘green’ and traditional services. | |