Direct Cremations from The Natural Burial Company

Whilst our ethos is to provide natural burials we realise that for many reasons people may require cremation services. We are noticing many are opting for a direct cremation, and then arranging a natural burial for the cremated remains. As such, we believe it appropriate to provide the most environmentally friendly option we can for those who require a direct cremation and then arrange a natural legacy for future generations.

Therefore, we are now able to provide a complete direct cremation with natural interment of cremated remains. Arranged and conducted by our own caring, trusted team. For each cremation we will plant three trees, one on the grave and two others at one of our natural burial grounds.

To help we now have a new website Direct Natural Funerals (funeralsdirect.co.uk) to provide information and to offer direct cremation and direct natural burial services.

As we are dedicated to supporting the environment our direct cremation services must be followed by a natural interment of cremated remains. This interment can be a private event or a full service or celebration of life. Our aim is to provide a truly personal goodbye and provide a beautiful natural memorial and legacy, whilst keeping costs to a minimum.

There are many benefits to our direct services.

Cost – Direct services are below that of “traditional” funerals. Direct natural burials cost £1,690 and direct cremations with natural interment of cremated remains (including the planting of three trees) is available from £1,750.

Convenience – Whilst the direct (unattended) cremation is conducted at the earliest opportunity, the interment can then be arranged at a later date convenient for all. For example, a celebration of life could be arranged on a special date or when the weather is warmer. The celebration can include a picnic, music or anything personal to make a truly special goodbye.

Peace of Mind – Many direct services are arranged by web based companies. Our services are all arranged and conducted by our well respected team. We provide exactly the same level of care and service for all of our clients.

Caring for the Environment – Caring for the environment is key to everything that we do. We only use environmentally friendly coffins for all of our direct services. And we plant three trees for each direct cremation conducted.

A Natural Legacy – Trees planted will provide a beautiful legacy that will also help support the environment. All of our burial grounds are managed with a light touch to encourage nature and promote biodiversity.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require further information, we are here to help you.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Caring for the Environment, and Saving Money

We care passionately for the environment and for those in our care.  We also do everything we can to support the bereaved and to eliminate funeral poverty.

It is widely believed that the cost of burial is high.  For municipal cemeteries this can be true, as lack of space and other factors lead to ever spiralling prices.  However green burials are different, and beautiful, natural funerals can be arranged, often for a fraction of the cost.

At The Natural Burial Company we have been looking into burial prices in our local areas and have been surprised by our findings.  A green funeral at a natural burial ground is by far the most environmentally friendly funeral service available. However, as well as helping to care for nature and protect our future, natural burial will also save you money.

So to help you make informed choices we have listed below the prices for each of our burial grounds compared to the local city/town cemetery.  To keep things simple we have compared full burials only.  Although similar comparative savings are available when considering cremated remains burials and memorial options.

Leicester

At our Scraptoft natural burial ground on the outskirts of Leicester a full burial plot is £770.  The interment fee (gravedigging and administration) is £450.  Therefore, the total cost of a new grave with interment is £1,220.

Compare this to the costs of a lawn grave at Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester of £1,312 for the plot, and interment fees of £752 (total £2,064) for a resident of Leicester.  Fees for non-residents of Leicester are doubled (total £4,128).  A permit to erect a memorial adds a further £200.00

At Scraptoft, as at all of our burial grounds, you can also choose your plot and there are no additional charges, wherever you live.

Wolverhampton

Our Wrottesley Park natural burial ground close to Wolverhampton has larger overhead costs, hence is slightly more expensive than our other burial grounds.  However, whilst the plot cost of £900 and interment fees of £450 total £1,350 this is much less than the local cemetery at Danescourt.

The exclusive rights for a private plot at Danescourt costs £2,030, interment fees are £1,040 (total £3,070).  For a non-resident of Wolverhampton a 50% surcharge is added, making the total £4,605.  A memorial permit for a headstone adds £150.

There is a natural burial area at Bushbury. Plots here are charged at £1,100 (add 50% surcharge for non-resident), the interment fee of £690 makes the total cost £1,790.

You can purchase a plot in advance, however an additional £150 is added for this.  No charge is made by The Natural Burial Company for choosing and purchasing a plot in advance.

Loughborough

Prestwold Natural Burial Ground near Loughborough was one of the very first natural burial grounds in the midlands, opening in 1999.  A full burial plot is £770 and interment fees £450 (total £1,220).

For a standard burial the local Loughborough cemetery charges £777 for a traditional grave and £523 interment (total £1,300).  A lawn grave option is available for a total for a Loughborough resident of £1,118.  Once the memorial permit cost (£166) is added, this then totals £1,284.  The memorial permit charge is also applicable for traditional graves.

As with many other cemetery authorities though, Loughborough charge additional costs for non-residents of the town.  A resident of Charnwood would need to pay double fees and one who resides outside of Charnwood would pay triple.  There is also no option at present to purchase plots in advance.

We provide this information to help you to make informed choices.  In a world where funeral poverty is real and value for money is so important for all, we believe that everyone should be aware of the options available to them. Everyone can make a real difference to the environment and leave a beautiful, natural legacy for future generations whilst saving money.

Note: All prices sourced from local authority websites July 2021.  If corrections are required please inform us and we will make immediate changes.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Our Commitments

We take great pride in the important role we play in caring for the bereaved and the environment, and are dedicated to doing all we can to help make a positive difference.  Key to much that we do are our core commitments.  We think it would also be beneficial to share these commitments with you:

Care and Support for the Bereaved

We will do whatever we can to help those in time of need.  This includes our personal availability and the services we provide.  We will only conduct one burial a day at each of our burial grounds, ensuring that there are no time constraints on services.  We help support and advise on Family Led Services and DIY funerals.  We can also provide shelters, chairs, a quality blue tooth speaker and refreshments (when Covid regulations allow) to ensure that a final goodbye is everything that it should be.

Personalised services can be arranged and themed funerals, picnics and evening torch-lit services have all been conducted.  Grave plots can be chosen and a complete range of memorials is available, including trees and nature homes to ensure a natural legacy for future generations.

Care for the Environment

Caring for the environment is one of the biggest challenges we all face today.  As such, our burial grounds are developed and managed to encourage nature and make a positive difference to the environment.  Natural burial is so much more environmentally friendly than cremation and traditional burial, and helps ensure beautiful, natural areas for the future.

Trees are essential to the balance of nature and play an enormous role in removing damaging particles from the air, helping flood control, supporting many life forms and providing a calming and positive place to visit.  Promoting bio-diversity also ensures habitats for so many forms of life, essential to our planet.

We will care and develop our burial grounds with a light touch to allow nature to thrive, with the associated benefits for us all.  And, within time, all of our burial grounds will be left to nature as woodlands and meadows for the benefit of all.

Fighting Funeral Poverty

We understand that funeral poverty is very real for so many people.  Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that our prices are low, ensuring burial services and memorials are available for much lower costs than many traditional cemeteries.

We can help and support simple family led services to minimise costs at what is already a difficult and stressful time.  And are available to advise how other costs can be reduced.

Our Direct Natural Burial Service also allows a simple, cost effective burial, with all of the advantages of direct cremation.  Whilst also supporting the environment and ensuring a beautiful place to visit and remember.

Helping Future Planning

An increasing number of people are looking to plan, and in some cases pay for, their funeral service.  This allows peace of mind and removes the financial burden and/or the worry of making the wrong decisions for those left behind.  Future planning also ensures that any special requests you have are not forgotten.  This could be personalisation of a service with a theme, alternative transport (a VW Camper or Horse Drawn Hearse for example), or music.  Alternatively putting “money behind the bar” for family and friends to enjoy a toast and share memories of good times.

Burial plots can be chosen and paid for in advance (at today’s price) and we can help you to prepare documents detailing personal wishes.  Many people find that this process is not morbid, rather is a positive and enlightening experience.  And the plans for your final goodbye can be amended as you find new music or enjoy new hobbies.

Our team are here for you and for the environment.  If we can help in any way, or if you would like further information regarding our commitments and services, you are welcome to contact us on (0116) 222 0247 or by email

Beautiful Daffodils

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Dispelling the Myths

We have received contact from a number of people worried regarding the availability of burial services during lockdown.  Therefore, we thought it best to put minds at rest and clarify that we continue to provide a full service to all:

Natural Burials are continuing.  There is no stipulation that those with covid must be cremated. We are available for you, whenever you need us.

The attendance limit at full burial services is currently 30 people.

We can arrange Direct Natural Burials for those who require a simple, low-cost service.  Direct Natural Burial has great advantages over direct cremation as you are supporting the environment and have a beautiful, natural place to visit and remember in the future.

We remain available to conduct burials at weekends and outside of traditional hours.

There is no time-limit on the length of the burial service.  What matters are your wishes to provide an appropriate goodbye for your loved one.

You can also arrange burials of cremated remains.  The attendance limit is currently 6 people.

All of our burial grounds remain open to visitors.

You can pre-purchase burial plots.  The plot is purchased at today’s price.  Many people are finding this a comfort during these most difficult of times.

We are available by Zoom and WhatsApp as well as phone and email.

Remember, you are welcome to contact us at any time.  We are here to advise, help and support everyone.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Celebrating Life in Nature

“Life is a celebration.  All of it.  Even it’s end” – Joanne Harris.

Every person is unique in their life, in their likes and dislikes, In their work and their way of being.  That uniqueness doesn’t die when the person does.  So when we are thinking about a funeral service we would want to honour and celebrate that uniqueness.

Here at the Natural Burial Company we tend to refer to our funeral services as “celebrations of life”, because most often, that is exactly what they are.  That is not to say that there is not sadness and grief about the loss of the person that has been so loved.  But that those who loved them wish to celebrate and honour the life they had and the person they were.

You might think that having a funeral in the middle of the countryside would limit your options, but far from it.  We have facilitated all sorts of wonderful and unique personal celebrations and services.  Below are just a few to inspire you and show that so much is possible.

Using a funeral vehicles that reflects a person’s interest or life memories, such as a Morris Minor, VW Camper or Motorcycle Hearse.

Live music – We have recently had a violinist, a harpist and even a folk band play at services.  Recorded music, via blue-tooth speakers is also available.

Picnics and Prosecco – During the summer months in particular, we often have families taking a picnic at the end of the service.  This allows time to sit, talk and remember, close to a loved one.  We only have one service a day so you have time to remember and honour your loved one.

A Special Toast – We have been privileged to support families to serve a tot of a loved ones favorite tipple as a graveside toast.  A share of Whisky Mac went down well on a cold day!

Candlelit Memories at Dusk – We are available to support a candlelit service to support you to celebrate your loved one at a unique time of day also.  It’s quite magical under the trees by candlelight.

There are, of course, other details that can be made more personal.  For example your choice of shroud, coffin or casket.  There are so many possibilities in terms of colour, materials, patterns and designs.

Willow Pod Coffin

You may prefer not to have any form of officiant, minister or celebrant to lead the service. Instead you may wish for family and friends to say personal farewells.  We can help with this if you wish, or can recommend someone for you.

Finally, there are ways to to personally honour and celebrate the person after the service is over.  By choosing a tree, a special message on a slate memorial plaque, the installation of a personalised bench or the installation of a home for nature – birds, bees, hedgehogs, insects or bats.

This is really only a snapshot of what is possible when celebrating someone’s life with us at The Natural Burial Company.  We believe that how we say goodbye truly matters and should never be a one size fits all service.  The only limit is what you can imagine, if we can help to make it happen we will.

Do be in touch with us to discuss your ideas to celebrate the life of your loved one.  Or indeed yourself if you wished to leave instructions as to how you wish for your life to be celebrated when the time comes.

Beautiful Daffodils

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Celebrating Nature

At The Natural Burial Company we continually marvel at our beautiful countryside.  Green burial encourages nature and we allow our meadows and all areas to grow throughout the summer.  This ensures that all forms of life are able to flourish, maintaining the wonderful natural balance.

You will find beautiful floral meadows and quiet, seemingly overgrown, areas at each of our burial grounds.  This helps so many forms of life throughout spring and summer.  The bees, butterflies and birds are apparent in abundance, although there is also so much more.

We ensure that access paths are regularly mown to allow access to all areas.  However, other than this we ensure only a light touch approach so as not to disturb the environmental balance.  In the autumn we will conduct a cut to help ensure new life for the following year.  We will also seed as appropriate to help make the area ever more beautiful in the future.

It is always our intention to celebrate nature, whilst ensuring a beautiful, tranquil place to visit and remember.  Together, making a wonderful, peaceful difference.

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Making a Difference and Saving Money

It is widely believed that the cost of burial is high.  For municipal cemeteries this can be true, as lack of space and other factors lead to ever spiralling prices.  However green burials are different, and beautiful, natural funerals can be arranged for a fraction of the cost.

At The Natural Burial Company we have been looking into burial prices in our local areas and have been surprised by our findings.  A green funeral at a natural burial ground is by far the most environmentally friendly funeral service available. However, as well as helping to care for nature and protect our future, natural burial will also save you money.

So to help you make informed choices we have listed below prices for each of our burial grounds compared to the local city/town cemetery.  To keep things simple we have compared full burials only.  Although similar comparative savings are available when considering cremated remains burials and memorial options.

Leicester

At our Scraptoft natural burial ground on the outskirts of Leicester a full burial plot is £750.  The interment fee (gravedigging and administration) is £435.  Therefore, the total cost of a new grave with interment is £1,185.

Compare this to the costs of a lawn grave at Leicester of £1,300 for the plot, and interment fees of £745 (total £2,045) for a resident of Leicester.  Fees for non-residents of Leicester are doubled (total £4,090).  A permit to erect a memorial adds a further £200.00

At Scraptoft, as at all of our burial grounds, you can also choose your plot and there are no additional charges, wherever you live.

Wolverhampton

Our Wrottesley Park natural burial ground close to Wolverhampton has larger overhead costs, hence is slightly more expensive than our other burial grounds.  However, whilst the plot cost of £890 and interment fees of £435 total £1,325 this is much less than the local cemetery at Danescourt.

The exclusive rights for a private plot at Danescourt costs £1,980, interment fees are £1,040 (total £3,020).  For a non-resident of Wolverhampton a 50% surcharge is added, making the total £4,530.  A memorial permit for a headstone adds £150.

There is a natural burial area at Bushbury, plots here are charged at £1,010 (add 50% surcharge for non-resident), the interment fee of £690 makes the total cost £1,700.

You can purchase a plot in advance, however an additional £150 is added for this.  No charge is made by The Natural Burial Company for choosing and purchasing a plot in advance.

Loughborough

Prestwold Natural Burial Ground near Loughborough was one of the very first natural burial grounds in the midlands, opening in 1999.  As such there are many areas and options available.  However, the vast majority of plots are priced as Scraptoft, £750 for the grave and £435 interment fees (total £1,185).

For a standard burial the local Loughborough cemetery charges £740 for a traditional grave and £498 interment (total £1,238).  A lawn grave option is available for a total for a Loughborough resident of £1,065.  Once the memorial permit cost (£158) is added, this then totals £1,223.  The memorial permit charge is also applicable for traditional graves.

As with many other cemetery authorities though, Loughborough charge additional costs for non-residents of the town.  A resident of Charnwood would need to pay double fees and one who resides outside of Charnwood would pay triple.  There is also no option at present to purchase plots in advance.

We provide this information to help you to make informed choices.  In a world where funeral poverty is real and value for money is so important for all, we believe that it is only fair that the public are aware of the options available. Everyone can make a real difference to the environment and leave a beautiful, natural legacy for future generations whilst saving money.

Note: All prices sourced from the relevant local authority websites on 9th June 2020.  We will gladly amend any pricing above if notified of change.

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

A Meaningful Goodbye

During these challenging times it saddens us to hear that because of restrictions many people are unable to say goodbye to a loved one in the way they wish.  Green burial is different as everything we do is aimed at providing a personal  and caring service, free of time constraints and with the minimum of restrictions.

At The Natural Burial Company we have always been proud of the personal service we can offer.  Whilst we believe that this is always essential, during the coronavirus pandemic this is even more important.

Funeral services can be arranged on any day and at any time.  We also only have one service on each day at our burial grounds – this means that you can have as long as you want to say goodbye in the way that is right and appropriate.  Music can be played and many families have also chosen to raise a toast and/or have a picnic around the grave.  This allows time to think and talk about your loved one, and to catch up with family who you may not have been able to see for many weeks.  We can supply freshly cleaned picnic blankets and can mark areas to ensure that everyone confirms to social distancing.  We can also accommodate up to 20 people attending, and will ensure that sufficient car parking and waiting areas are available to keep everyone safe.

We provide services for cremated remains as well as full burials.  So if your loved one had a direct cremation you can still conduct a full, meaningful service for them.

Natural burial provides all of this, whilst also ensuring you are caring for the environment and saving money against traditional burials.  There will also be a beautiful place to visit and pay your respects in the future.  And a wonderful, natural legacy for future generations.

Prestwold in Spring

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Greener World, Greener Funerals

So many people have noticed the environmental changes since the lockdown restrictions have been in place.  The air is cleaner, nature is thriving.  We seem to have a greener world.

As we move out of special measures and the world becomes a safer place again, we all have an opportunity to help also make it a better place.  People are talking about making less car and plane journeys, planting trees and making gardens more nature friendly. Thinking how we can all help the planet and the wildlife we share it with.

Our care for the environment in life can continue in death.  Natural Burial offers everyone the opportunity to continue care by reducing the carbon footprint of their funeral service and leaving a beautiful natural legacy.  A greener funeral for a greener world.

We understand that for religious or cultural reasons people will continue to choose cremation.  However, the cremated remains can still be buried at a natural burial ground.  And a memorial tree will not only be a beautiful natural legacy.  You will also know that you are making a positive difference to the environment.  Of course, family, friends and future generations will also have somewhere beautiful to visit and remember.

It is a fact that Natural Burial is far more environmentally friendly than cremation or traditional burial.  Opting for a Natural Burial makes a difference in itself.  But what more can be done to ensure a greener funeral?

An environmentally friendly coffin, casket or shroud is very important. Many traditional coffins have plastic handles and are made using chemicals that are not environmentally friendly.  There are now many alternatives to these coffins.  An online search will help you find cardboard, bamboo, willow and other coffins, as well as natural shrouds.  Your funeral director should be able to offer a range of options for you.  And even if you would like a traditional coffin, you can still have wooden or rope handles.

On occasions embalming (or as it is sometimes called Hygienic Treatment) is essential to care for someone after death.  However, this is not always the case and you may wish to discuss this with your funeral director.  Many embalming chemicals are bad for the environment.

Electric hearses are now available and becoming more common.  Again, don’t be afraid to ask your funeral director if they have, or have access to, such a vehicle.  Electric private ambulances are now also available for collecting the deceased from home or hospital.

Many funeral directors also have an environmental policy and look to help ensure a greener funeral in many other ways.  If you are unsure of a particular company look at their website or make a telephone call.  The vast majority of funeral directors are dedicated, caring professionals who would gladly help.

As we look to make a positive difference in life we can also do so in death.  At the Natural Burial Company we are passionate about helping to care for the enviroment, encourage nature, and making a real difference when celebrating the lives of loved ones.  Our team are available to help you at all times.  You are welcome to contact us by telephone or email to further discuss how we can all work together for the benefit of everyone.

Scraptoft Natural Burial Site

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park