Question 1

Why choose natural burial?

Accepted Answer

Natural burial is a simple way to become part of nature when we die. There are lots of benefits:

Nature lives on. With natural burial, you become a gift to the trees, flowers, and bumble bees, buzzing off into a colourful future that never stops.
Why become pollution? Nature’s got enough chemicals, plastic and non-biodegradable material to deal with. Plant a tree or some meadow. Help nature breathe.
People love visiting. Unlike a cemetery, our natural burial sites are inviting and friendly. Bring a picnic, walk the dog, spend an hour or a day.
Open to everyone. With a lighter touch on materials, natural burial costs less. It’s open to all people and faiths. And it’s the oldest: our ancestors did it.

Question 2

What types of burial are available at Tithe Green?

Accepted Answer

We call these different types of burial ‘approaches’ and there are four we can arrange. They all involve natural materials only, and take place in one of our beautiful natural burial sites, either in a woodland or wildflower meadow setting:

Natural burial (from £1,825)

This means burying a person in a biodegradable coffin using only natural materials, either within woodland (a tree and plaque are planted alongside) or a wildflower meadow (a plaque is placed). Please note at our site in County Durham, we offer woodland burials (with a plaque) only.

Natural interment of ashes (from £775)

This means burying a person’s ashes in the ground in a biodegradable container. As with our main natural burial approach, this can be within woodland (with a tree and plaque) or a wildflower meadow (plaque).

Direct cremation + natural interment of ashes (from £1,915)

This means enlisting us to arrange an unattended cremation and burial of ashes in the ground in a biodegradable container. As with all approaches, burial of ashes can be attended or unattended.

Memorial tree without burial (from £650)

This means planting a tree in someone’s memory without a burial taking place. This too can be attended or unattended. All trees are accompanied by a Welsh slate plaque with a bespoke inscription.

Question 3

Can ashes be buried at Tithe Green?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can arrange burial of a person’s ashes, placed within a biodegradable container, and this can either be supplied by you or purchased from us (options here).

As with our main natural burial approach, this can take place within woodland or a wildflower meadow (at our Midlands sites, woodland only in County Durham). All of our burial options can be attended or unattended.

Natural interment of ashes starts at £875 (depending on your choices) and we can also arrange an unattended cremation if you need us to.

Question 4

Can I buy a burial plot in advance?

Accepted Answer

Our advance booking options allow you to secure a plot at one of our sites now, no matter how far in the future it may be needed. It’s surprisingly hard to book plots in advance like this in the UK due to limited capacity, especially in traditional cemeteries. We can also offer adjacent plots in advance in our wildflower meadows, although not in our woodland settings at our Midlands sites due to growing and changing tree roots. At our County Durham site, however, adjacent plots are available in advance in our woodland, as the trees are established.

When you make an advance booking with us you’re securing a plot and paying for it at today’s prices. You’re also noting all arrangement choices and details in advance (natural burial approach, memorial plaque and/or tree) but these can’t be paid for in advance: they must be paid for when the plot is used.

Some people leave a provision in their will to cover these future costs, and if you’re working with a funeral director they can often keep funds reserved in line with your wishes. Advance booking for natural burial starts at £1050, or £300 for natural interment of ashes.

Question 5

Does there have to be a funeral service?

Accepted Answer

No, there doesn’t have to be a funeral service with natural burial. We can do everything without anyone attending if that’s what works best for you. We’re also very comfortable hosting all sorts of different services, from small, simple gatherings to bigger events. We’re very flexible.

Question 6

Is it possible to be buried next to a family member or friend?

Accepted Answer

It is possible to arrange plots next to each other within our wildflower meadows, but not in our woodland settings. When booking adjacent plots in our wildflower meadows, the location of the plots is confirmed at the time of the first burial.

Natural burial

What is natural burial?

Start your booking

Natural burial in a woodland setting
(£2,400)

Natural burial in a wildflower meadow
(£1,975)

FAQs about natural burial

Other approaches

Natural interment of ashes
(from £875)

Direct cremation + natural interment of ashes
(from £1,975)

Memorial tree without burial
(from £750)

Natural burial

What is natural burial?

Start your booking

Natural burial in a woodland setting(£2,400)

Natural burial in a wildflower meadow(£1,975)