How to explain natural burial to family & friends

Natural burial is still a relatively new concept to many people, while others may not be aware of what it involves at all. As a result, if you’ve chosen to have a natural burial, or someone close to you has, you might find yourself having to explain why such a choice has been made.

In this article, we’re going to break down the concepts and benefits of natural burial to make it easier for those having to explain it to others.

Explaining natural burial to family and friends

Explain what natural burial is in simple terms

The best place to start is to explain what natural burial is and how it works. You can do this by explaining how:

• Only fully biodegradable materials are used – that means using biodegradable coffins, urns and shrouds made from sustainable materials as opposed to hardwood coffins with metal fittings.
• No harmful chemicals are used that could pollute the soil, such as the embalming fluids used to prevent decomposition.
• There are no large stone headstones that significantly change how the environment looks and dominate the view – only small, low impact markers that blend naturally into their surroundings.
• Native trees and flowers that benefit the environment are planted, helping to boost biodiversity and attract pollinators and other wildlife.

Highlight the benefits of natural burial

Once you’ve explained what a natural burial is, you can then highlight the many benefits it brings. These include:

• Natural burials are usually cheaper than traditional alternatives, because they eliminate elements commonly used that also have a negative impact on the environment.
• Natural burial sites tend to be in attractive countryside locations rather than overcrowded and poorly maintained council graveyards.
• The environment is protected from non-biodegradable materials and harmful chemicals.
• The markers that identify where someone has been laid to rest do not detract from the overall appearance of the area.
• Wildlife is supported by creating a diverse ecosystem and encouraging the growth of native species.
• A fully natural burial doesn’t just have a lower carbon footprint than a traditional burial or cremation – it actually produces no greenhouse gases at all.
• A natural burial site makes better use of land than a traditional graveyard, because it’s an open space that is enjoyable to visit as well as a place to hold funerals.

Affirm your right to opt for natural burial

If you’ve been through all the above and you’ve still not been able to convince your sceptical friend or family member of the benefits of your planned natural burial, then hopefully they’ll accept that it is at least your choice.

In the end, what is most important is that everyone should have the right to choose the way their lives are celebrated, especially if they want the manner of their funeral to match the way they have lived their life.

If a funeral is about paying respects to someone who has passed, then the very least we should be able to do is to follow their wishes in how that is done.

Here at Tithe Green Natural Burial, we’re proud to offer natural burials at three sites across the East Midlands – at Oxton in Nottinghamshire, Markfield in Leicestershire and Ketton in Rutland.

If you’d prefer your funeral to benefit rather than harm our precious environment, get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.