The tradition of natural burials

While the specific concept of natural burial is relatively new in the UK, the practice of burying loved ones in nature is ancient. From the grandeur of Egyptian pyramids to humble neolithic long-barrows, humans have long sought to honour the dead. This tradition may have started with animist beliefs, where burying the deceased in nature allows them to become part of it, creating a place for remembrance and reflection.

For nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, a natural burial surrounded by trees offers a fitting and sustainable way to be remembered. This practice not only honours the person but also supports the conservation and maintenance of the wider Forest.

Benefits of natural burials

Funerary choices often focus on the deceased, but natural burials also offer significant benefits for the living. These include:

• Ceremony and remembrance: Natural burial provides a meaningful way to mourn, honour, and celebrate the deceased, creating lasting memories for loved ones.
• Acceptance and closure: Saying goodbye in a natural setting can help provide acceptance and closure.
• Physical location: A dedicated burial site offers a place to visit, remember, and reflect.
• Encouraging remembrance: By honouring others, we create a tradition that encourages future generations to remember us.

Given these benefits, it is interesting that we often feel uncomfortable talking about posthumous wishes and preferences, either our own or others. If we do ask, it often gets disregarded by people saying they do not want to cause a fuss. Having this conversation is really important though as a lack of clarity can create problems for those who are left to organise a funeral. Discussing it beforehand means you have time to thoroughly research, consider and record everyone’s wishes. This can allow someone to ensure their beliefs are accounted for, particularly in regard to environmental issues. 

Green burials: An eco-friendly choice

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your funeral, natural burials offer the least ecological footprint. Key eco-friendly practices include:

• Promoting biodiversity: Burials take place in natural sites designed to support local wildlife.
• Compostable materials: Only 100% compostable coffins or shrouds are used.
• No embalming: Bodies are not embalmed, reducing chemical use.
• Natural memorials: Memorials are subtle and made from locally sourced natural materials.
• Nature-friendly site maintenance: Essential mowing only.
• Eco-friendly tributes: Tributes are limited to cut flowers or foliage without packaging and non-natural objects.

These practices not only minimise environmental impact but also allow individuals who loved the outdoors to remain connected to nature after death.

The beauty of Alne Wood Park

Located in a 12-acre wildflower meadow with stunning views of the Warwickshire/Worcestershire border, the burial ground is cradled by Alne Wood, an ancient oak woodland. This serene setting provides a beautiful final resting place for those with a connection to nature.

With only one funeral per day, families have ample time to mourn and celebrate as they wish. After burial, gravesites are monitored and seeded with a special mix of grass and wildflowers native to the site. Plots are marked with a small wooden name plaque for identification, and an optional larger rustic wooden plaque made from Heart of England Forest wood, or a locally sourced Forest of Dean sandstone plaque, can be purchased to create a more permanent memorial.

Visitors can enjoy benches with woodland views, offering a peaceful place for reflection. The site is carefully managed and monitored, with input from the charity’s forestry and biodiversity teams to balance accessibility with conservation. The unobtrusive but necessary spoil locations for earth and grass on the site provide unique wildlife habitats, along with those contained within the larger wildflower meadow and surrounding woodland. The site is a haven for birds, mammals and butterflies and depending on the season a variety of these can be seen by visitors.

Options for cremated remains

Alne Wood Park also accepts cremated remains for burial, providing an eco-friendly option for those who prefer cremation. We are also exploring innovative soil developments that can be mixed with the ashes to neutralise their alkalinity and sodium, minimising their impact on soil pH.

A living memorial

Alne Wood Park offers a modern choice rooted in ancient tradition. As part of the larger Forest conservation efforts, the site will eventually integrate into the surrounding woodland, creating a true lasting green legacy, and providing a beautiful place of remembrance for generations to come.