Woodland burials

What is a woodland burial

Woodland burial grounds are often natural settings such as wooded areas, forests or meadows, offering a more beautiful and peaceful resting place for your loved one. Usually set within acres of woodland and surrounded by countryside, most woodland burial sites offer either a burial plot or the scattering of ashes.

The idea behind this more natural style of funeral is to minimise the environmental impact of the funeral by choosing sustainable options. By using biodegradable coffins and prohibiting embalming, the burial site is designed to preserve existing woodland sites and the species that live within them. Some sites will also use meadows, orchards or other farmland.

How does a woodland burial work

Woodland burials are flexible. You won’t need to follow a traditional agenda, but most woodland burial sites will accommodate your wishes, meaning that religious woodland burials are an option for those who want them.

Your ceremony could take many different forms. Some people will choose not to hold a ceremony, others may choose to take a memory walk through the woodland burial site where your loved one’s memorial is to be placed. This is an opportunity to share moments of remembrance with close family and friends.

Some woodland burial sites offer a building or service centre where a service can be held if desired. Many natural burial sites also have special areas for outdoor wakes, commonly featuring yurts or large tents and gazebos.

How much does a woodland burial cost

Burial plots at natural or woodland burial grounds can vary significantly depending on the site you choose and where you live in the UK. It can cost as little as a few hundred pounds and fluctuate to several thousand.

You may also have to pay an interment fee, though these can vary between natural burial grounds. It’s also important to remember that the overall cost of an eco-funeral will depend on what other arrangements you choose to make, such as funeral transport and floral tributes.

Our funeral professionals will be on hand to talk you through the costs involved when arranging a woodland burial.