What do your family think and how will you
cope with the sadness you will undoubtedly
meet?
A tradition of dignity, respect & choice
“I have been through quite a lot in life and my experience of bereavement has taught me that it is not a
permanent state. My family? Well, a mixed reaction,
some wonder why I would want to live next to a field
of dead bodies!”
On the North Norfolk coast retired barrister David
Oliver has gained planning but is yet to discharge all
the planners' conditions. Delay due partly because
his site, unusually for a new green burial ground, is
heavily wooded. “I have to agree a revised woodland
management plan and finish some routine thinning”
he tells me.
What made you think of doing this David?
“It was a fellow committee member on the board at
Cromer Hospital that asked me one evening whether
I owned the woodland and would consider opening a
natural burial ground.”
“My wife hates the idea but I think she will come
round! It is a splendid woodland, part of the Norfolk
coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I think
families will find a wonderful sense of tranquillity
within it. Most people think it is a good idea and I
have had a lot of local support”
So, contrary to the worrying BBC reports back in October, the UK is not running out of burial space, it
is just that councils are running out of burdensome
conventional space. The Natural Burial Grounds are
beautiful and spacious. If you don't know where your
local ones are, check out the list on the NDC website.
Two things to remember
Not all sites who describe themselves as ‘woodland
burial sites’ are environmentally careful. They can
usually be identified by a lack of terms and conditions
appertaining to acceptable coffins, non-embalming
and low impact land management etc.
Here is a link to our downloadable PDF
‘Questions to ask a woodland burial site.’
Remember, natural burial grounds are as different
as their managers and owners, they offer varying
services and facilities. They are lovely places run by
caring people.
Established 1992
Church View Funeral Directors
The Independent Family Funeral Service
46 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury HP20 2LL
Telephone: 01296 398553
161 Broad Street, Chesham HP5 3EF
Telephone: 01494 776777
Church Yard, Tring HP23 5AE
Telephone: 01442 825472
www.churchviewfuneral.co.uk