Plan Ahead
How to get started? We hope to shed a little light below.
How do I get started?
1: Understand the options & costs of traditional and natural burials, ashes interment and associated costs. Contact our offices if you have and questions or wish to discuss further (details in our contact section).
2: Purchase Online once you have decided which option is right for you, you can find our products here.
3: Fill in the email form which we send after the order is completed. For the advance purchase of plots, formal documentation is sent by mail.
4: Make funeral arrangements with an outside provider, found in our Useful Resources section, as we are not a Funeral Director. Your selected funeral diretor will arrange your loved one's collection from their location, funeral services, visitation and any preparation of the deceased per green burial standards.
What Happens Next
Burials or Ashes Internement
STEP 1
Once you're loved one has passed please contact us do discuss your needs. You can find our contact details here.
STEP 2
For burials most people will still want the services of a Funeral Director. They will liaise directly with us to arrange dates. You can find a list of local funeral directors here. It is not essential to use a Funeral Director, but we do advise you research this before making any decisions. The Natural Death Centre are a good source of advice.
STEP 3
For Ashes interments it is not necessary to involve a funeral director, you can make arrangements directly with us.
What should I expect on the day
Natural Burials
For Burials you can choose to have a graveside service or you may prefer to have a service elsewhere before the committal. Most people choose to have a celebrant lead the service, but this can also be done by the family. Your funeral directors will advise you about this, or contact us. The service is usually a simple gathering around the grave, where your loved one is remembered and maybe some of their favourite music is played.
Ashes Internment
Meadow interments - A member of our team will meet you and take to the prepared site. We’ll discuss your requirements on the day, but generally we will assist you in placing the ashes and leave you and your family to have space for reflection.
Woodland Ashes interments . There will be a number of places available for to choose from when you arrive. If you have a specific place in mind, please discuss this with us in advance of your booking. We place the tree and the ashes together and then plant the tree. We actively encourage the help of children and family members with the tree planting!
What paperwork do I need?
For Burials we do require formal paperwork before we can proceed. This will be dealt with by your funeral director. If you are not using their services, please contact us to discuss the requirements.
For ashes interment we require a copy or the original of the cremation certificate, this can usually be found with the ashes. You can bring this with you on the day.
Cost Comparisons
People today are looking for personal and meaningful ways to celebrate their loved ones, while considering affordability and environmental impact.
The average ‘cost of dying’ is nearly £9,000, according to SunLife’s annual study. Associated costs can include:
- The vessel for burial or cremation
- Buying a plot varies on location; costs include a plot of land, fees associated with burial, and memorial
- Funeral service (including collection & preparation of body, paperwork and so on)
- Optional extras, like a party or memorial service (food, drink, flowers, music)
Natural (Green) Burials
Green burials popularity grows due to affordability, plus it doesn’t use toxic embalming chemicals and uses biodegradable caskets.
26% increase in eco-friendly funerals in 2017 according to Sunlife’s survey. Plus, 45% of local authorities are considering developing new sites in the next 5 years. Whereas in 2019, 68% weren’t even considering it. (5)
COST: As outlined above, it is one of the most cost effective options
Green Impact
Measures are taken to enhance biodiversity. We plant trees and wildflowers, raise bee colonies to encourage pollination, and mow infrequently to encourage new plant growth.
Graves are marked by trees and small plaques, and the burial ground enforces a strict planting policy in which only native species of plants and flowers are permitted. Additionally, we:
- Only use biodegradable caskets
- Plant trees to help offset carbon emissions
- Do not allow embalmed bodies
- Install a plaque versus a headstone is more eco-friendly
- Bury in woodlands or meadows
Ashes Interment
Cremation is the most popular option in Britain today. Next, is to decide what to do with your loved one's ashes?
GREEN IMPACT: There are multiple greener options for cremation currently being developed, including resomation, promession, mushroom suits and composting (4). Plus, there are now many biodegradable urn options, and planting of trees to offset carbon emissions.
COST: It is also a very cost effective option, especially direct cremation and then purchasing an ashes interment plot. See our comparison table below.
Traditional Burial
Traditional burial is becoming less popular due to its costs and environmental impact.
GREEN IMPACT: Around 25% (approx. 150,000 people) in the UK are buried this way. Of those choosing this, 50-55% are embalmed (1) which means around 1.3 million litres of toxic and carcinogenic solutions can seep into the groundwater and harm local ecosystems. Excess embalming fluid is often disposed of in public sewers, putting funeral workers and the environment at risk. (2)
COST: It also tends to be more expensive than other options, due to the cost of digging deeper graves, maintaining manicured cemeteries and traditional steel-lined teak and mahogany coffins. (3)
(1) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46294432
(2) “Information on Embalming”, Appendix B, Charter For The Bereaved, p. 91
(3) https://ecologyaction.ca/greenburial
(5) https://cen.acs.org/environment/Video-Cremation-burial-composting-Calculating/97/i41