Sustainability

In recent years, more and more people have sought ways to make their lives—and even their deaths—more sustainable. A green burial, also known as a natural burial or eco-burial, is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burials or cremations.

This type of burial aims to minimise the environmental impact of a funeral by avoiding embalming fluids, non-biodegradable materials, and other practices that harm the planet. If you’re considering a green burial in the UK, this guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations to help you arrange a meaningful but sustainable farewell.

Understanding Green Burial Principles

A green burial is rooted in the principles of simplicity, sustainability, and returning to the earth naturally. The key aspects include:

• Biodegradable Materials: Green burials use biodegradable coffins, shrouds, or urns made from materials like wicker, bamboo, cardboard, or cotton. These materials break down naturally, allowing the body to return to the earth with minimal environmental impact.
• No Embalming: Embalming uses chemicals that can leach into the soil, so it’s avoided in green burials. The body is allowed to decompose naturally, which aligns with the cycle of life and death in nature.
• Natural Grave Markers: Instead of headstones or large monuments, green burials often use natural markers like a tree, a bush, or a simple wooden plaque. In some cases, no marker is used at all, allowing the burial site to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
• Conservation: Green burials can support conservation efforts. Some burial sites are maintained as nature reserves, where the burial fees contribute to the upkeep and protection of the land, and often woodlands at reserves.

Finding a Green Burial Site

The UK has a growing number of natural burial grounds, each with its own unique environment and rules. When selecting a site, consider the following:

• Location: Look for a site that resonates with you or your loved one’s connection to nature. Whether it’s a meadow, woodland, or a coastal site, the location should feel like a fitting final resting place.
• Regulations: Each burial ground will have its own guidelines regarding coffin materials, grave markers, and how the site is maintained. Ensure you understand these rules before making a decision.
• Conservation Status: Some burial grounds are part of larger conservation projects, where your choice of a green burial can support environmental preservation. Research the site’s conservation efforts and how they align with your values.
• Accessibility: Consider the location’s accessibility for family and friends who may wish to visit. Some natural burial grounds are in remote areas, which may be ideal for privacy and connection with nature but could be challenging for regular visits.

Preparing the Body for a Green Burial

With a green burial, the focus is on allowing the body to return to nature as gently as possible. The process is straightforward and requires significantly less involvement than with traditional burials or cremations.

If there is a delay between death and burial, the body can be kept cool using ice packs or refrigeration. This prevents decomposition without the need for harmful chemicals that are typically used during embalming. When it comes to dressing the body, this should be done with natural, biodegradable fabrics. This might be a simple cotton shroud, or clothing made from wool, linen, or silk.

Likewise, it’s important that the choice of coffin or shroud should be one which is fully biodegradable. Wicker, bamboo, or cardboard coffins are popular choices, or you may opt for a simple shroud. Some burial grounds may have specific requirements for the type of coffin or shroud allowed.

Arranging the Burial Ceremony

A green burial allow doesn’t mean you have to compromise on any of the important parts of your funeral – you will still be able to arrange a highly personal and reflective ceremony. In some ways the opposite is true, with extra flexibility with natural burials compared with traditional funerals. You may have more flexibility with how you conduct a ceremony at a natural burial ground, incorporating natural elements, poetry, music or just a simple gathering of friends and family.

You may also opt to push for an even more sustainable funeral by encouraging attendees to consider their own environmental impact. Suggest carpooling, using public transport, or even walking or cycling if the location permits. You could also ask guests to bring flowers from their garden instead of purchasing arrangements wrapped in plastic.

Some green burial sites even allow for the planting of a tree or wildflowers on the grave, something which would not usually permissible with traditional cemeteries. This can be a beautiful way to create a living memorial that benefits the local ecosystem and makes a statement by the deceased about the importance of sustainability in their life.

Legal Considerations

While green burials are generally less regulated than traditional ones, there are important legal considerations to be made.

As is the case with any death, this will need to be registered within five days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or within eight days in Scotland. You’ll need to obtain a death certificate from a doctor, which will then be used to register the death.

You should also take time to fully understand the rights associated with the burial plot you are seeking to purchase. Some sites offer plots in perpetuity, while others may have time-limited rights. It’s important to clarify these details before making arrangements.

If you’re considering a green burial on private land, such as a family estate, check if you need planning permission. Although it is possible to bury someone on private land in the UK, certain legal requirements must be met, including informing local authorities and ensuring the burial site is registered.

By taking time to understand all of the legal implications before taking any decisions around your funeral arrangements, you can ensure that you’re happy with how things will be arranged once you pass, and helping avoid any complications for family and friends to deal with when the time comes.

After the Burial: Continuing the Legacy

A green burial doesn’t end with the ceremony. There are several ways to continue honouring a loved one  in an eco-friendly manner:

• Having an Eco-Friendly Memorial – Instead of a traditional headstone, consider creating a memorial that benefits the environment, such as planting a tree, sponsoring a bench made from sustainable materials, or donating to a conservation charity in their name.
• Living Memorials – Encourage family and friends to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives as a way of continuing the deceased’s environmental legacy. This could be anything from reducing plastic use to supporting renewable energy initiatives. Though some may feel uncomfortable asking friends or family to consider their impact on the world, an eco-burial might just give those closest to you a new perspective on living sustainably.
• Support the Burial Ground – Many green burial grounds are maintained through donations or volunteer work. Contributing time or resources to the upkeep of the site can be a meaningful way to keep your loved one’s legacy alive.

In Summary

Arranging a green burial in the UK is a beautiful way to honour a loved one while giving back to the earth. By choosing a natural burial ground, opting for biodegradable materials, and creating a personalised, eco-friendly ceremony, you can ensure that the final farewell is as gentle on the planet as it is meaningful for those left behind. In a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, a green burial offers a serene and sustainable way to return to nature.