Dealing with Death

To help in a difficult time, we have compiled a useful resource to assist with the planning and organising of a natural burial. There can be a lot of misinfomation about the subject, so we hope this can make the subject clearer. This document can be found here.

Burial Methods

We can not accept bodies that have been embalmed prior to burial.This is to prevent the leaching of formaldehyde into the ground and local water table.

Coffins and shrouds must be biodegradeable and contain no plastics. There are a wide range of materials and styles now available, including cardboard, wool, timber, bamboo, willow and even banana. Prices vary considerably. We can help you choose and you are able to purchase via us. We can supply a brochure of the coffins and shrouds we can supply. Please note that there is a weight limit for cardboard coffins of 23 stone and shoulder width of 25 inches.

Trees and Plants

Memorial Benches

We have had a lot of interest in the placement of benches on or near graves. We do allow this in areas where there are not currently benches, and we can provide rugged benches made from timber sourced from nearby woodlands (prices on request). We also reserve the right to replace and or remove benches that we deam to be rotting and/or in an unsafe condition.

The burial grounds are situated in a native deciduous woodland, interspersed with wild flower meadows. We encourage the planting of flowers and some trees on graves, but we please ask that you keep it to just native species and/or wild flowers. The best plants are ones that attract insects and are shade tolerant.

Items Left on Graves

We have a strict no plastics policy. Only natural, cut flowers may be left on graves (no artificial or plastic flowers/wreaths), which will be composted after one week. Any form of doecoration must be natural and biodegradable.

We also cannot accept flower arrangements in Oasis Floral Foam due to its environmental impact. So please check with your florist to make sure they do not use this.

Nature Reserve

We run the whole site as a nature reserve, so wildlife is encouraged. Please therefore be aware that some animals may dig for worms etc or root up and eat plants on graves and occasionally there may be some digging of soil. You can be assured that digging is usually minimal and never deep enough to affect the interment.