Tag: green burial

The Great Big Green Week – Making Funerals Greener

We are all becoming more environmentally conscious. Greater awareness and understanding of the importance of helping to care for our planet is resulting in people making more environmentally friendly choices.  These choices, and the options to make a greener difference, continue, even in funeral service.

Between the 18th and 26th September there will be a national week of events celebrating action on climate change.  The Great Big Green Week www.greatbiggreenweek.com will be the biggest event for climate and nature ever in the UK. 

To support this week The Natural Burial Company will be holding the following Environmental Awareness events:

Wednesday 22nd September – Scraptoft Natural Burial Ground, 11am – 4pm.

Saturday 25th September – Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground, 11am – 4pm.

At both events The Natural Burial Company team will be on hand to discuss all matters regarding green funeral services and how everyone can make a difference to the environment when arranging a funeral.  And you can discuss any aspect of funeral service, not just natural burial.  You can find out about greener cremations, coffins, vehicles and even how floral tributes can be more environmentally friendly.

Local community groups are also welcome to attend and participate if they wish.  As long as you are supporting the environment and wish to help spread the word you can pitch up by appointment and make a positive difference.

During the day The Natural Burial Company will also be presenting Community Grants to local groups and a Kindness Table will be present, with free environmentally friendly gifts, and a welcome cup of tea, coffee or squash.  Everyone attending on the day will also receive a packet of Wildflower Seeds.  These can be spread on the burial ground or at home or a special place if you wish.  Finally, a special area will be dedicated to everyone who has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and to pay tribute to the NHS and everyone who has worked so hard for others during these challenging times.  The special Forget-Me-Knot remembrance areas will be developed over future months into beautiful corners of peace and remembrance.

Everyone is welcome to attend these special days.  For more information, please email or telephone (0116) 222 0247.

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

Natural Burial during Covid – Update 14th May 2021

As you may be aware, restrictions on attending funeral and memorial services are being eased from Monday 17th May 2021.  However, some restrictions do remain and we wish to confirm how this will impact upon burial and memorial services at our natural burial grounds.

We have carefully considered how we can maximize the number of people who can arrange a burial service, whilst ensuring that social distancing can be safely adopted at the burial grounds and in our car parks.  Therefore,  we are pleased to announce that from Monday 17th May a total of fifty (50) people may attend full burial services at our natural burial grounds.  This is subject to social distancing being observed and all present abiding by the guidelines in place at the time of the service.

In order to help us prepare for services we request that we are provided with numbers attending in advance of any service if the number attending will exceed 25 people.  This will allow our team to take the appropriate precautions.  Confirmation of regulations and any additional requirements will also be provided to the funeral director or person arranging the burial at the earliest opportunity prior to the service.

With regards to services for cremated remains and memorial events such as tree planting, a maximum of thirty people are able to attend.  Again, we will contact the arranger prior to these services to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the regulations and to ensure the highest levels of safety for those present.

We will endeavor to remove all restrictions on numbers at the earliest legal and practical opportunity.  In the meantime we will work to see if we are able to increase the numbers who may attend services if this can be done safely.  Please accept our assurance that we are dedicated to helping and supporting everyone attending services and visiting our natural burial grounds, whilst doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.

We can, and will, continue to do everything we can to help support the bereaved, encourage nature and ensure biodiversity.  We are here for you at or on (0116) 222 0247.

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

Natural Burial Inspiration – Awen Clement

Very personal, beautiful, words from our friend and colleague Awen Clement.  Inspired by Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground.

 

When my human days are done

Let gentle hands wrap my body in love and cloth

Let loving arms carry me to the forest at dusk and as the birds sing their end of day lament to the sun

Lay me down in the sweet earth, tuck me in with the earthworms while stars fall and the old oaks look on

 

Awen Clement

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

A Woodland Legacy

It is now acknowledged that continued damage to the environment is a major threat to our planet.  As such, it’s encouraging to see so many people adapting their lifestyle and making changes, large and small, to help protect our future.

Trees can play a large part in ensuring positive change. Described as the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines, it is estimated that a young wood with mixed native species can lock up over 400 tonnes of carbon per hectare in trees, roots and soil.  They also encourage and support many other diverse forms of life, all of which contribute to our wonderful world.

Natural Burial allows the perfect environmentally friendly legacy as a native tree can be planted on graves, ensuring new life in nature, and environmental benefits.

Trees can also be planted at our burial grounds for interments of cremated remains and even as a memorial for someone who is buried, or was cremated, elsewhere.  What is important is that for generations a magnificent tree will be a beautiful, living memorial.

The planting can be conducted by members of the family, allowing a very personal way to say a goodbye to a loved one whilst encouraging new life.

Our burial grounds will in time be left to nature as mature woodlands and meadows for future generations to visit, remember and benefit from a healthier environment and all that the great outdoors has to offer.

As a visitor recently said to me “When I die I want to be a tree.  What a perfect legacy to leave for future generations”

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Planning for your funeral

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an increase in people thinking about their own funeral.  More and more people are planning their funeral service to ensure their wishes are met. This process can be extremely positive and comforting, whilst also reducing the burden for those left behind of trying to make the correct choices whilst grieving.

All of our burial plots can be chosen and paid for in advance. Be it woodland burial, interment of ashes, or choosing plots for all of the family.  Our team are available to meet you at the burial ground, answer your questions and help explain the options available.  The plot(s) can then be selected and paid for at todays price. Once paid the plot is secured, no matter how much the price of a plot increases in the future.

Our team can also help you to plan the details of your funeral service.  Once again, this can remove worry for your loved ones and will ensure that your goodbye is exactly as you wish it to be – an elaborate traditional service, a themed funeral or the most simple of direct burials and everyone invited to the pub to toast your memory.  We can help you to prepare a statement of wishes which can then be kept with your personal documents.  We do not charge for this service.

There are many aspects that you may wish to consider:

  • Vehicles – An Electric, Horse Drawn or Motorcycle Hearse.  Or even a VW Camper Van or Morris Minor.  It may be that you wouldn’t want a hearse at all.  Many people travel to their final resting place in a family or friends estate vehicle.
  • Shroud, Coffin or Casket – There are so many environmentally friendly coffins and caskets.  Cardboard, Bamboo and Willow are just a few of the options available.  Shroud burials are also popular.

Willow Pod Coffin

  • Music – Traditional hymns and songs can be sung. But also personal favorites can be played, pop, rock, reggae or classical.  What matters is what is important to you.  Recent services have included music by Queen, Status Quo, Bryan Adams and a 60’s mix.  Also theme tunes to well known TV shows and films.  We have blue tooth speakers so recorded music can be played.  Live music can also feature and can be especially personal if it is family or friends playing the instruments.

Harriet Flather, Harpist

  • Themed Services – If something has always been important to you in life, it’s appropriate that this passion is also key to your goodbye.  It can be as simple as everyone wearing a particular colour, or can be as specific and special as you wish.
  • Simple Burial – You do not have to have a service at all.  A direct burial is simple and cost effective.  What you may consider to be a more appropriate goodbye can then be arranged.  A meal or event for family and friends, or maybe a pub night for all to remember the good times?
  • Caring for the Environment – Having a tree planted on your grave will ensure a wonderful, natural legacy.  Also bird boxes or nature homes can help make a difference and encourage nature.  A wonderful parting gift for the natural world and future generations.

You can also pay for all aspects of your final goodbye with a pre-payment funeral plan.  Almost all funeral directors now have plans available, many of which provide excellent peace of mind.  However, please ensure that you ask plenty of questions and get a quote first in order to ensure that you are taking the right plan for you.  For example, make sure that you are not paying for items or services that would not be required.  And how environmentally friendly is the service offered (for example coffin options)?  If in doubt contact several companies or ask a friend for advice.  We are also able to help you if you wish.

Planning your funeral in advance is practical and beneficial and does provide peace of mind to many people.  We are here to help you and you are welcome to contact us at any time if you require further information.  Helping you to ensure that your final goodbye is exactly what you would wish it to be. Removing additional stress and worry from your loved ones.  And caring for the environment in death as well as life.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Answering your questions

We understand that whilst the vast majority wish to care for the environment, many have little knowledge of green funerals and woodland burial.  So to help, here are the answers to some of the questions we have recently been asked:

Is natural burial better for the environment? – Yes, cremation requires large quantities of fuel and releases pollutants into the environment.  Modern filtration is improving this, but issues remain.  Furthermore for natural burial, shrouds or environmentally friendly coffins are used, the grave is dug by hand and trees are planted to enhance the environment.

Is green burial more expensive? – No, plots in our burial grounds are lower than most traditional cemeteries.  Having a direct burial further reduces costs.  You genuinely can help protect the environment and save money.

Where is my local natural burial ground?  – We currently have natural burial grounds at Prestwold near Loughborough, Scraptoft near Leicester and Wrottesley Park near Wolverhampton.  Anyone can be buried at our natural burial grounds and there are no additional fees for those who live away from the area.

Are there time constraints for a green funeral service?  – We do not limit times for burials.  Services can be booked at any time, on any day, and we only have one service each day so your time is not limited.  Picnics can be held around the graveside and music played.

Can we book a plot in advance? – Yes, all plots can be personally selected and paid for in advance.

Can we bury or scatter ashes? – Yes, you can choose a plot for burial of ashes.  We also have dedicated scattering areas.

My loved one was buried elsewhere, can I have a memorial at the natural burial ground?  – Yes we have memorial woodland areas at each natural burial ground.  You may also have a plaque if you wish.

Can I leave instructions for my wish to have a natural burial? – Yes, we can help you with this.  Planning in advance provides peace of mind for those left behind and ensures that the service is exactly as you wish.  Please contact us if you require any advice or support.

Are environmentally friendly coffins expensive and are there many options? – Most funeral directors now have an extensive selection of coffins suitable for natural burial.  Cardboard, Bamboo, Wicker, Banana and Pandanus are just some of the options available.  Cardboard and Bamboo coffins and caskets are in the main a similar cost to standard traditional coffins.  Some of the hand woven Wicker coffins can be more expensive, this is due to the time and materials used to craft.  If you are having trouble sourcing a coffin or casket, or require advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Hopefully the above may answer some of the questions you may have.  There is also further information and an FAQ sheet on our website.  You can also phone or email us at any time.

We believe passionately about caring for the environment and the bereaved.  Helping you to make the right decisions is an extremely important aspect of this.

 

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