Woodland burials
At H J Newington Independent Family Funeral Directors, we understand that people are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment and want to make environmentally friendly choices, even in death. That’s why we offer a selection of affordable, green, eco-friendly funerals and woodland burial services to the families we care for in Sussex, serving the community of Brighton and Hove, Portslade, Southwick, and the surrounding areas, including East & West Sussex.
We recognize that nowadays, many people look for a more environmentally friendly or green alternative to a traditional funeral service. We aim to cater to these needs by offering a vast range of green funeral options for your loved one. This includes eco-friendly coffins made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, wicker, and recycled cardboard. We also provide a choice of burial grounds set in beautiful natural surroundings.
Our woodland burial services offer a unique way to say goodbye to your loved one by choosing a final resting place that is both peaceful and environmentally friendly. Woodland burials involve planting trees and wildflowers on the burial site instead of traditional headstones. This creates a new habitat for wildlife and contributes to the natural ecosystem.
At H J Newington Independent Family Funeral Directors, we believe that every life should be celebrated in a way that reflects the values of the person who has passed away. By choosing our green funeral services, you can honour your loved one’s life while also making a positive impact on the environment.
We have a vast range to choose from when arranging a green funeral for your loved one.
What is a woodland burial?
A woodland burial – also referred to as a natural burial or green burial – is an eco-friendly alternative to your traditional funeral or cremation.
Woodland burials usually occur in rural locations such as wooded areas, forests, green spaces, or meadows, but not in traditional cemeteries. These places offer a tranquil final resting place for your loved one and a beautiful and memorable place to visit and reflect.
Unlike traditional funerals, woodland burials consider the environmental impacts of a funeral by laying the deceased to rest in a natural state, using natural, biodegradable materials, and focusing on reducing the carbon footprint and impact on the environment.
What happens at a woodland burial?
Woodland burials do not usually follow a specific order, nor do they require hymns or religious readings – unless this is something you would like. There are no expectations with an eco-friendly or woodland burial, giving you the freedom to carry out the ceremony according to your friend or family member’s wishes.
Here are some ideas for the ceremony of a loved one:
A memory walk
You can freely wander through the woodland site, ending at the burial plot of your loved one.
A simple service at the burial plot
Friends and family can read poems, read meaningful book extracts or recall happy memories of the deceased.
A traditional indoor service
Some burial sites have a building or centre where a more traditional-style service can be held.
Outdoor wake
Some sites offer particular sections such as large tents or gazebos for a reception and wake.
One of the main appeals of a woodland funeral is its flexibility. As long as you follow the site rules, generally focused on protecting the site, you can create a memorable ceremony that’s personal to you.
Why do people want a green funeral?
Woodland burials are becoming increasingly popular for people who want to be laid to rest in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. They’re also called green burials, natural burials, or environmentally friendly funerals, and they’re an obvious choice for those who would like their last journey to be a green, eco-friendly one.
Eco coffins for a natural burial
If you’re thinking of an eco-friendly burial for your loved one, you may want to know that green funerals and woodland burials often use eco-friendly coffins, which are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
They give you the option of returning a loved one’s body to nature in a dignified, respectful, and simplistic way. If you’re planning a natural burial, you are likely to find that many woodland burial sites will allow coffins which minimise their effect on the natural environment.
Eco coffins are usually made from materials such as:
- Cardboard
- Bamboo
- Pine
- Willow
- Banana leaf
- British Wool
- Wicker
- Shrouds
Local Woodland and natural burial grounds
Woodland Valley Natural Burial Ground
Woodland Valley, Warren Road, Woodingdean, BN2 6DX
Set on the edge of the city overlooking the sea and the South Downs in Woodingdean, Woodland Valley offers a peaceful environment to lay your loved ones to rest.
Situated within the Lawn Memorial Cemetery and planted with a range of suitable trees and features, Woodland Valley has been designed to create a meadow and woodland burial ground for interment and cremated remains.
The cemetery is divided into sections, with all of the grave spaces accurately recorded on maps. Burial plots and cremated remains plots are both available.
Up to two sets of remains can be buried in a cremated remains plot. Alternatively, you can choose to scatter cremated remains in either our Sea View or Woodland Glade scattering areas.
Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground
Brighton Road, Clayton, West Sussex, BN6 9PD
Clayton Wood natural burial ground is set in 15 acres of countryside within the South Downs National Park. You can be part of a new English wood that will be protected from development.
Situated below the Jack and Jill Windmills, the beautiful site has various dedicated areas for full natural burial and cremated remains, as well as memorial scattering lawns, surrounded by native trees for future generations to enjoy.
How we can help
Here at H J Newington Independent Family Funeral Directors, we can fully facilitate a funeral service at almost any place of your choice.
If you would like to arrange a funeral service for your loved one at a local woodland or natural burial ground, we would be honoured to be able to support you and your loved one through every step of the way.
When you need us most, we are here for you, please do not hesitate to contact us for support, advice and guidance anytime on 01273 030717.
More information...
The below pages will give you related information about other types of funeral and how we can help support you.