A natural burial, sometimes called a green burial or green funeral (terms that most people use interchangeably) is a way of being buried that works with nature rather than against it.
The body is placed in something biodegradable such as a willow or wicker coffin, cardboard casket, or even just a linen shroud, and buried in a way that allows it to return to the earth naturally. This is usually in a woodland or meadow rather than a conventional cemetery. There’s no use of embalming chemicals and there is typically no headstone either, with people choosing a tree, stone marker, or wildflowers to mark the spot.
Many natural burial grounds also offer plots for ashes interment, so they can also be used as someone’s final resting place following cremation, as long as a biodegradable urn or scatter tube is used.
What does a natural burial site look like?
There are over 270 natural burial sites across the UK. Some feature meadows, while others are situated in woodland. Often they are planted with native trees, shrubs and flowers with dirt or bark chip paths going between different areas. If there are markers, they will usually be fairly low-key. Usually, artificial items such as plastic flowers or keepsakes, are not permitted, but I have personally visited a natural burial ground where there were chimes hanging from a tree branch and a couple of colourful windmills stuck into the ground. But beyond how they look, it’s how they feel that tends to stay with you. The blackbirds scratching about in the leaves, the breeze moving through the trees… it’s just so incredibly peaceful.
Why do people choose a natural burial?
The environmental argument is obvious, as traditional burial and cremation both carry a higher carbon footprint. But for many people, the draw is more personal than that. There’s something meaningful about the idea of being returned to the land. Of becoming part of a tree, a forest, a meadow. For people who loved the outdoors in life, it can feel like the right choice in death. It’s very important to visit any natural burial ground before purchasing a plot for yourself or someone else. Only then can you truly know what it looks and feels like. Plus, you’ll probably want to meet the people who run it so you can ask questions and make your decision with confidence.
And what about the ceremony?
A natural burial doesn’t come with a script, so it’s really up to you what you’d like to do. Most sites don’t have their own chapel, so the options include holding the entire ceremony by the graveside or having a split service, so the full ceremony takes place first at a crematorium or other venue, followed by a quiet committal at the graveside. The benefits of having the entire ceremony at the natural burial ground include greater freedom around pacing, as these sites don’t have strict time slots for services like crematoria. However, the British weather is famously unpredictable, and – depending on the venue – seating options may be limited. A few natural burial grounds have some sort of building for a service, but this is not common.
In terms of the content of your ceremony, that’s entirely up to you and your celebrant! It can be full of music, laughter, stories, and ritual, with the natural settings lending themselves beautifully to something meaningful and unhurried. As always, I’m here to advise you, so feel free to get in touch if this is something you’re looking into.
Interested in finding a natural burial site near you? The Natural Death Centre maintains a regularly updated list of sites across the UK.
