Tag: Wolverhampton

Christmas and New Year at The Natural Burial Company

As we approach the festive period we understand the need to visit and remember loved ones. And to expect care and service when needed, no matter what time of the year it is. Therefore, we wish to confirm that we will remain available at all times.

Visiting Burial Grounds – Our natural burial grounds remain open to visitors throughout the Christmas and New Year period. We do not have opening times, therefore, you are free to visit at a time convenient to you. We simply ask that you are consider the weather conditions to ensure your own health and safety, and that you abide by our guidelines regarding remembrance items on graves.

Our Service to you – You will be able to contact us at all times over the Christmas and New Year period. Our team will be available to visit, make arrangements, and provide support and advice. We will have a limited team available on certain days though so we may not be able to immediately answer phone calls. If this is the case please leave a message and one of our team will return your call at the earliest opportunity.

Our shared Community Hub at 1118a Melton Road, Syston LE7 2HA will be open weekdays between 10.00am and 3.00pm with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. Outside of these hours we can visit you in your own home if required.

Service Times at the Natural Burial Grounds – Services are available as our standard practice (every day except Sunday, flexibility regarding times of service, only one full service per day per burial ground) with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day.

Finally, may we wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Find out about a Prepaid Funeral Plan

You may not be aware, but The Natural Burial Company work in partnership with Open Prepaid Funerals.

Prepaying for your funeral puts you in control, giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind at what can be often be an emotional and difficult time.

Further information is available here Planning Ahead with The Natural Burial Company or call Open Prepaid Funerals on 0330 660 0072.

The Natural Burial Company is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Open Prepaid Funerals Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 962403

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

About Natural Burial

We receive a lot of questions about natural burial and what we do. We also sometimes read and hear information and opinions that are potentially misleading. Therefore, in a series of blogs we aim to answer questions and put minds at rest regarding natural burial, environmentally friendly funerals, and the services we provide. If there is question you would like answering please contact our team who would be happy to help.

Is natural burial really more environmentally friendly? – Yes, natural burial allows only environmentally friendly coffins, caskets or shrouds to be used. The deceased is not embalmed. Graves are dug by hand to a depth that maximises aerobic decomposition. And the burial grounds are maintained with a light touch to encourage nature and biodiversity. Furthermore, memorial options such as bird boxes, insect habitats and hedgehog homes support wildlife. The ultimate natural memorial is also available, a beautiful tree provides a lasting legacy for future generations to benefit from and enjoy.

Are we not running out of burial space? – Whilst this may be partially true in built-up areas where land has been used for housing, retail and factories. The fact is that we have been burying our dead in the UK for tens of thousands of years without problem.  It has been estimated that if every death in the UK resulted in a burial this would count for only approximately 750 acres of land per year. There are also now over 300 natural burial grounds in the UK, a similar volume to the number of crematoria, which means that almost everyone has a natural burial ground reasonably close to their home.

Does natural burial cost more? – In many areas the cost of a plot and interment in a natural burial ground is much lower than in a local municipal cemetery. Natural burial is also comparable in cost to cremation in many areas, whilst also ensuring a beautiful, peaceful place to visit and remember loved ones.

What will happen to the burial ground in the future? – Our natural burial grounds will be left to nature, to ensure nature and biodiversity thrives and the community has a beautiful place to visit. Other natural burial grounds will be placed into trust. If you are unsure regarding your local natural burial ground feel free to contact them, we are sure they would welcome the opportunity to explain their future plans.

Can we have floral tributes at the funeral? – Yes. We simply ask that you don’t use plastic trays, florist foam (oasis) or other materials that are environmentally unfriendly. There are an increasing number of florists who offer green alternatives. And if you are lucky enough to have a garden, what could be more personal than picking a selection of home grown flowers for your loved one.

Do you really have picnics at the graveside? – Yes, during the warmer months many families have picnics at the natural burial ground. We only conduct one full burial a day, so you have the time to spend as you wish. Our team remain available for you and we can provide tea, coffee, squash and music via quality blue-tooth speakers. Our aim is to provide you everything you need to ensure a personal goodbye in a way that’s appropriate and special.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Learning about Green Funerals

We understand that many people would like to know more about green funerals but may find it difficult to find information. Therefore, we offer various options to help the public, community groups, and funeral service professionals to be more aware of how a goodbye can be as environmentally friendly as possible.

You can arrange to meet a member of our team at one of our natural burial grounds at any time, we can also visit you.

Community Groups

We can visit your community group and conduct presentations on Making a funeral greener, Cost-effective Funeral Services, or Natural Burial. The presentation can be general or can include the services provided by The Natural Burial Company. The presentation will finish with a question and answer session and information will be available to take away.

Alternatively, groups can visit our natural burial grounds for a tour and explanation of natural burial, what we offer, and how all funerals can be greener.

Funeral Service Professionals

Celebrants, funeral directors and arrangers, florists, end of life doulas and anyone involved in bereavement and funeral services is welcome to arrange to visit our burial grounds. We can also visit branches and offices to provide information to help professionals be better equipped to help support clients and the general public regarding green funerals.

The General Public

Everyone is welcome to contact us at any time for further information. You can phone on (0116) 222 0247 or email and we can send information by email or post.

A personal visit to a natural burial ground is often the best option if you are able, this allows the greatest understanding of natural burial and how we encourage nature and ensure a natural legacy for all in our care.

Our team are here to help everyone to make the right choices for themselves, their loved ones, and the environment.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Christmas and New Year Remembrance

In common with previous years, we will be relaxing our regulations throughout the festive period to allow tasteful, personalisation of graves using natural materials.

Between Sunday 10th December 2023 and Monday 8th January 2024, graves may be decorated, subject to items being appropriate to a natural burial ground and respectful to all within our care.

Please do not place items of sentimental or financial value on graves as The Natural Burial Company cannot be held responsible for damaged or lost items.

After 8th January 2024 any items remaining will be removed.  Therefore, please remove items from the grave before this date if you wish to keep them for future use.

Thank you for your help in maintaining the natural and environmental integrity of the natural burial ground.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

A Celebration of Life

The ways in which we say goodbye to loved ones are becoming more personal. With a greater awareness of environmental issues, fewer religious services, and a greater desire for more personalised goodbyes, celebrations of life are growing in popularity. Full burial services, and natural interments of cremated remains after direct cremations are now regularly arranged.

At The Natural Burial Company our passion is to provide a totally personalised service to meet your needs, in line with our ethos of caring for the bereaved, the environment, and keeping prices low.

At each natural burial ground only one full burial a day is conducted, which allows as much time as you wish for the celebration or service. This time can be used for a picnic, listening to music, or simply spending time remembering your loved one. The Natural Burial Company can provide shelters, chairs, simple refreshments, and a quality Bluetooth speaker. We can also help to prepare the celebration or service, and act as master of ceremonies if you wish. A list of exceptional celebrants is also available to help conduct the service and we also work with all local ministers of religion and officiants. Key to everything, is ensuring that the goodbye is exactly as you wish it to be.

You do not have to have a traditional hearse and a discreet vehicle is used by most families. Although we are also able to provide Horse Drawn, Motorcycle, or other hearses. An Electric Hearse can also be supplied.

There are now a large selection of environmentally friendly coffins, caskets and shrouds available. From Cardboard to Bamboo, Willow, Banana Leaf and Pandanus. Likewise, Ashes Caskets are available in a large of beautiful environmentally friendly materials. Our supplier has the same ethics as us, and are a Guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

Direct Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular option, allowing cost savings and for a celebration or service to be conducted at the natural burial ground on a day and time convenient to all who wish to attend. This could be on a special day such as an anniversary, or you can simply wait for warmer weather in order to allow a picnic if the death occurred in winter.

However you wish to celebrate the life of a loved one our team are here to help. We can provide advice, support and guidance to ensure everything is as you wish it to be. We can be contacted on (0116) 222 0247 or email

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Proud to Serve

As we continue to work hard to serve the community and the environment, we are humbled to receive thanks from so many people. Our passion is to help and to make a difference at the most difficult time in the lives of those we serve. When we receive thanks it empowers us as we know we have succeeded in this end.

Therefore, when we recently received the following Google review from Nathaniel we were truly honoured.

“Words cannot express how incredible the team are at NBC. They handled my parents burials and services, and from top to bottom were an absolute joy to liaise with, remaining sensitive at all times incredibly personal and supportive. After trusting them with this deeply painful but extremely important life experience, I shall never look back and it almost totally erases the conventional “funeral” companies from all of existence. Once you go the natural way, and with this company, you will never regret it. Best decision I ever made was dialling that phone number. Many thanks to Chris, Nina and the whole team, and of course Awen, the fantastic celebrant who now works independently but can be requested, I advise you to also do the same here. Thank you all beyond words”

Nina, Rachel, Christopher and all of the team at The Natural Burial Company will continue to do everything they can to support the bereaved and the environment, and to help fight funeral poverty. Our reward is helping you, but to Nathaniel and everyone who takes the time to express thanks to us at such a difficult time in their lives, we sincerely thank you in return. It is our honour to serve you.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

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

Christmas and New Year Remembrance

We understand that many people wish to temporarily decorate the graves of loved ones during the festive period, therefore, we will once again be relaxing our regulations during this time, to allow tasteful personalisation of graves using natural materials.

Between Saturday 10th December 2022 and Sunday 8th January 2023, graves may be decorated, subject to items being appropriate to a natural burial ground and respectful to all within our care.

We ask that you do not place items of sentimental or financial value as The Natural Burial Company cannot be held responsible for damaged or lost items.

After 8th January 2023 any items remaining will be removed. Therefore, please remove items from graves before this date if you wish to keep them for future use.

All of our burial grounds will be open to visitors throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Please remember though that conditions under foot and in car-parks may be slippery and uneven. Please stay safe and warm.

Throughout this period our team remain available to help and support everyone.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

The Good Funeral Awards 2022

We are very proud to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist at The Good Funeral Awards, hosted by the Association of Green Funeral Directors.

This year’s nomination follows on from our Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground being awarded Burial Ground of the Year at the 2021 event. A key member of our team, Awen Clement, was also awarded the Minister of the Year (any religion) award at the same event. In 2019 we were awarded winner of Best Bereavement Awareness Event for our Prestwold Hall Bereavement Awareness Day. Our Prestwold Natural Burial Ground was also a finalist in the Burial Ground of the Year at the same awards.

This year we have been further honoured as our Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground has again been nominated as a finalist for Burial Ground of the Year. Furthermore, our Gravedigger at Wrottesley Park, Paul Hallam, has been selected as a finalist for Gravedigger of the Year.

We are passionate about caring for the bereaved and the environment. Duties that we are proud to conduct. And whilst we work to help make a difference, and not for awards, we are all honoured and humbled to continue to receive such prestigious nominations.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park