As more and more people are thinking about how green their lives are, so are many also considering being eco-friendly in death, which is where green funerals can come in. Green funerals, also known as eco funerals, are usually based around a meadow or woodland burial rather than a traditional burial or cremation.
Green funerals are already becoming more popular in the UK with about 200 sites across the country. Some of these are sections of existing graveyards which are being allowed to ‘go back to nature’ whilst others are separate areas completely. In both cases a key factor is the area being as natural and wild as possible with headstones or traditional memorials not usually allowed. In many cases, however, the bereaved plant a tree to mark the grave in a more natural manner. The Association of Natural Burial Grounds has a list on their website of their members’ locations, which will be useful in finding a suitable location in the right vicinity.
It is also possible to perform burials on private land although there are certain parameters and considerations. Planning permission is not required but it is worth speaking to your local council for advice and contacting the Environment Agency who has previously published guidance on this.
It should be noted that green funerals can be based around the beliefs of the deceased. For example, it is possible to have a traditional religious ceremony followed by a green burial. It is probably a good idea to consider what aspects of a funeral service would have been important to the deceased and then discuss those wishes with a funeral director for further advice.
As well as the place of burial, green funerals often also take into consideration the transportation of the body and the materials used in the coffin in order to have the least environmental impact. Visit our Green Coffins page for more information on this aspect.
