A more natural ending
06/07/2006

10 steps to arranging a natural, green or woodland funeral

Important matters to consider when planning a funeral

1. PLANNING

Pre-planning your funeral puts you in control

By doing a little research into green and woodland burials, which could include searching the internet and a visit to your local funeral directors, you will discover that a wide choice is available to you. A good place to start searching the internet is http://www.nativewoodland.co.uk/  which offers a selection of exceptional natural burial grounds around the UK. The website also provides information on practical matters and legal procedures, helpful contacts for funeral directors, local service providers, suppliers and useful links to other organisations, support and information.

(NB For Natural Matters green burial directory Click Here)

2. FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Find out if your local firm is in-tune with what you have in mind

When you have a good idea of what you would like, talk to your local funeral director. A good one will be able to help you fulfil all of your wishes, especially if you provide them with the information and sources you have from your research. If you wish to do some aspects yourselves, the funeral director should offer help where needed and allow you to control what you want to do.

3. THE DIY ROUTE?

Decide how much or little you wish to do for yourselves, and plan ahead

Participating in the funeral arrangements can help people come to terms with their loss, but there is a lot to organise in what can often be stressful and difficult circumstances. Pre-planning in detail is essential as is a willing and able support team. Having an experienced funeral director to assist and make sure that nothing has been overlooked will be a great help and reassurance.

4. COFFINS AND CASKETS

Whatever type of coffin you choose, it can be personalised to suit you

There are many new options available - woven wicker or bamboo with cotton canvas linings are popular; plain cardboard coffins can be decorated with artwork and collages; the beautiful and artistic Ecopod, made from papier-mâché is a wonderful creation; flat-pack, self-assembly, pine coffins are simple and robust; bespoke, hand-built coffins crafted from local timber; or perhaps a beautiful cotton, woollen or silk shroud.

5. RESERVE YOUR PLOT

Pre-purchase your plot at the natural burial ground of your choice

Most natural burial grounds will offer single, double or family groups of plots, and will combine natural burials with plots for ashes to accommodate differing needs. You should be given the opportunity to reserve a plot by paying for it in advance, or by spreading payments over a period of time. It is also possible to include a plot as part of a funeral plan. With cemetery space running out, it’s a good idea to secure a plot while you can. The natural burial grounds will arrange the grave digging for you, which is usually paid for at the time of the funeral.

6. TREE PLANTING

Planting trees is great for the environment, but can present problems

For many people the idea of planting a tree on the grave is the ideal. However, there are practicalities to consider: Trees soon outgrow their space, but which ones will be thinned-out; roots are damaged when adjacent plots are opened; rows of trees look unnatural; disturbed soil conditions make mature trees liable to blow over; and some trees become shrines and are cluttered with adornments. Meadow areas and woodland glades with separate places for planting trees overcome these problems, and also provide good wildlife habitats and sustainable grazing for farm animals.

7. KEEP IT NATURAL

Keeping things simple and natural creates beautiful results

Natural materials such as wood, wicker, paper, cotton, wool, and silk offer a great selection of colours, rich textures and finishes for everything that you will need. Avoid metal, plastics and synthetic materials whenever possible. Funeral

directors will know that embalming the body is not acceptable to natural burial grounds, (because it uses toxic chemicals that can contaminate groundwater) and will offer refrigerated cold storage instead.

8. CREMATION OR BURIAL

How green a legacy will you leave? Green burial is the sustainable way

Many people wrongly believe that cremation is best for the environment, as their remains will not take up space and expand the scale of cemeteries - however cremation uses massive amounts of fossil fuel and emits toxic gases and mercury into the atmosphere. Each year in the UK about 440,000 cremations take place, so the scale of the problem is immense.

9. MOVING AND CARRYING

How will you get to the burial ground and who will carry the coffin?

Arrive by motorcycle-hearse, pony and cart, tractor and trailer, Landrover, estate car or van – the choice is yours. From there on you’ll need up to six people to carry the coffin to the grave. Funeral directors can arrange bearers and will provide trestles, or timber bearers stretching across the grave, on which to rest the coffin before lowering, and two stout straps which are used to lower the coffin. A bit of coaching from the Funeral Director is often a good idea.

10. THE SERVICE

Choose a service that properly befits the occasion and the person

Traditional and dignified, or different, informal and lively? Ministers and humanist celebrants can give helpful framework to the proceedings. Book a time for the funeral with the burial ground and agree a time-frame with your funeral director in advance. Choose the right structure, readings, music, ceremony and style to suit the person, and the natural setting will add the final touch.

Simple, natural, beautiful and sustainable—what better legacy could you leave?

http://www.nativewoodland.co.uk/         

tel: 01600 716438

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