A Green funeral, also known as woodland burials or natural burials, offer a meaningful and sustainable way to honour loved ones or plan your own farewell, prioritising a gentle return to nature in serene settings.
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals with full-service ceremonies in beautiful countryside locations, alongside eco-friendly direct burials and direct cremations, (unattended funerals), using pure cotton shrouds and no embalming.
What Is a Green Funeral?
A green funeral involves burying the deceased in a woodland or meadow burial ground using biodegradable materials, allowing the body to return to the earth naturally.
Unlike traditional burials with embalming chemicals or non-biodegradable coffins, green funerals avoid harmful substances and support local ecosystems.
Graves are often marked with native trees or wildflowers, creating natural memorials.
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals with ceremonies in serene countryside settings, ensuring a dignified farewell that harmonises with nature.
Why Choose a Green Funeral?
- Ecological Benefits: Uses natural materials to support the environment.
- Return to Nature: Provides a peaceful, nature-based resting place.
- Ecosystem Support: Encourages wildlife through native plants and trees.
- Personalised: Allows tailored ceremonies reflecting the deceased’s values.
- Affordable: Can be cost-effective with sustainable materials.
Green Funeral Considerations
- Wishes: Confirm the deceased’s preference for a natural burial.
- Accessibility: Woodland sites may lack headstones, affecting revisits.
Step 1: Understand Green Funeral Options
Green funerals blend simplicity and nature for a sustainable farewell.
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals with full ceremonies in woodland settings, alongside direct burials and direct cremations (cotton shrouds, no embalming). This guide focuses primarily on green funerals, also known as woodland green burials.
Features Of A Green Funeral
- Setting: Burials in managed woodland or meadow sites with shallow graves for natural decomposition.
- Materials: Biodegradable coffins or shrouds (e.g., wicker, bamboo).
- Ceremonies: Flexible, from graveside tributes to full services.
- Memorials: Native trees or wildflowers as living tributes.
Why A Green Funeral With Respect?
We offer green funerals in sites featuring native oak, ash, and wildflowers, ensuring a dignified farewell in harmony with nature.
Step 2: Choose a Green Funeral Burial Ground
Selecting a woodland burial ground is key to a green funeral.
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer access to two premier woodland burial sites, managed to blend with nature and support local ecosystems.
Finding A Green Burial Ground
Our Locations: We offer two woodland burial grounds:
- North Nottinghamshire & South Yorkshire: Located in Laughton, this site offers a serene countryside setting with native oak, ash, and wildflower meadows, ideal for families seeking a peaceful resting place.
- Lincolnshire & North Lincolnshire: This site provides a tranquil woodland environment with diverse flora and fauna, accessible to local families and designed to preserve natural beauty.
Features: Both sites offer ceremonial buildings, outdoor wake areas with yurts or gazebos, and spaces for scattering ashes. Some areas prioritise minimal intervention with unmarked graves to maintain a pristine landscape.
Accessibility: We provide maps or GPS coordinates for graves, as headstones are often prohibited to preserve the natural setting.
Considerations
- Regulations: Our sites require biodegradable materials and ban embalming. We ensure compliance to protect ecosystems.
- Memorials: Trees, wildflowers, or wooden plaques replace traditional headstones.
- Pet Burials: Both sites include designated pet burial areas for shared resting places.
Our Commitment
Our green burial grounds are managed to support biodiversity, featuring native species to nurture wildlife.
Led by Gordon and Alison, our team guides you to select a fitting site for your green funeral.
Enquire directly for a no-obligation quote here.
Step 3: Select Biodegradable Materials
Green funerals use biodegradable materials to support the environment. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer sustainable options for a respectful burial.
Options
- Coffins: Cardboard, wicker, bamboo, or willow. Our Respect Family Coffins use natural bamboo.
- Shrouds: Pure cotton or hemp for direct earth contact, ideal for cultural preferences.
- Certifications: We use FSC-certified materials for sustainability.
Avoiding Harm
- No Embalming: We avoid chemicals, using natural alternatives if needed.
- No Metal: Coffins and shrouds have no metal fittings.
Personalisation
Choose materials reflecting the deceased’s values, like wicker for natural textures or cotton for simplicity.
We’ll guide your selection for a meaningful green funeral.
Step 4: Plan the Green Funeral Ceremony
Green funerals allow customised ceremonies to honour the deceased.
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer flexible ceremonies in our woodland settings.
Options
- Graveside: Simple outdoor tributes with readings or music.
- Service Centre: Indoor ceremonies in natural-style buildings for larger groups.
- Hybrid: Combine burial with a later memorial.
Personalisation
- Tributes: Include poetry, music, or stories reflecting the deceased.
- Eco-Decor: Use wildflowers or biodegradable lanterns.
- Involvement: Invite loved ones to share memories or plant trees.
Wakes
Our sites offer outdoor wake areas with yurts or tents for nature-focused gatherings, enhancing the green funeral experience.
Step 5: Choose Memorials
Green funerals avoid headstones to preserve landscapes. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer natural memorials.
Options
- Trees/Plants: Plant oak, ash, or wildflowers as living tributes.
- Plaques: Simple wooden plaques or flat stones.
- Unmarked Graves: Use maps/GPS for revisits.
Planning
Discuss preferences with family. We arrange tree-planting sessions for lasting memorials, tailored to your green funeral.
Step 6: Manage Logistics
Planning a green funeral requires careful coordination. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer support to streamline the process.
Logistics
- Death Registration: Complete within 5 days (England/Wales). We assist.
- Transport: We use eco-friendly vehicles with uniformed staff.
- Timing: We coordinate for seamless planning, typically within 7–14 days.
Budget
To understand costs for plots, materials, or ceremonies, enquire directly for a no-obligation quote tailored to your needs.
Step 7: Involve Family and Friends
Green funerals foster shared experiences. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer ways to involve loved ones.
Involvement
- Planning: Collaborate on site or coffin choices.
- Ceremony: Encourage tributes like readings or tree-planting.
- Wakes: Host gatherings in our outdoor spaces.
- Support: We provide aftercare for grief.
Step 8: Document Wishes
Pre-planning ensures your green funeral reflects your values. At Respect Funeral Services, we support documenting preferences.
How To Plan
- Funeral Plan: Use The Farewell Guide to outline choices.
- Directives: Share wishes with family or via legal documents.
- Communicate: Discuss plans openly.
Our Pre-Paid Funeral Services
We offer prepaid green funeral plans to secure plots and details. Enquire directly for a no-obligation quote to start planning.
Why Choose Respect Funeral Services?
At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals at our beautiful woodland sites, alongside eco-friendly direct burials and direct cremations.
Our sites, managed to support ecosystems, provide serene resting places.
Led by Gordon and Alison, our team ensures a compassionate, natural farewell.
Conclusion
Planning a green funeral is a meaningful way to honour a loved one while nurturing the environment.
By choosing one of our woodland sites in North Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire or North Lincolnshire, sustainable materials, and a personalised ceremony, you create a lasting, natural tribute.
Reach Out Today For Support With Your Green Funeral
Ready to explore your options? Contact Respect Funeral Services at 01427 612992 or contact us directly at respectgb.co.uk/contact to learn how we can help you plan a dignified, eco-friendly farewell.
Q&As For Planning A Green Funeral
Q1. What is a green burial?
A green burial, also known as a woodland or natural burial, involves laying the deceased to rest in a woodland or meadow burial ground using biodegradable materials, such as bamboo coffins or pure cotton shrouds, to allow a natural return to the earth. Unlike traditional burials, green burials avoid harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, supporting local ecosystems with native trees or wildflowers as memorials. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green burials with ceremonies in serene countryside settings, ensuring a dignified farewell that nurtures nature.
Q2. How does a green funeral differ from a traditional burial?
A green funeral prioritises ecological benefits over traditional burial practices. While traditional burials often use embalming chemicals, metal coffins, and concrete vaults, green funerals use biodegradable materials like wicker or pure cotton shrouds, avoid chemicals, and take place in natural settings like woodlands to support ecosystems. Graves are marked with trees, flat stones or wildflowers instead of traditional headstones, fostering a return to nature. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals in our serene woodland sites, alongside eco-friendly direct burials and cremations, for a sustainable farewell. Contact us for a no-obligation quote to explore your options.
Q3. Can I personalise a green funeral ceremony?
Yes, green funerals offer extensive personalisation to reflect the deceased’s values and personality. You can include readings, music, or stories during a graveside or indoor ceremony, use natural decorations like wildflowers, or involve loved ones in planting a memorial tree. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer flexible ceremonies in our beautiful woodland sites, with outdoor wake areas for gatherings. Our team, led by Gordon and Alison, will help tailor every detail.
Q4. Are green funerals suitable for all faiths or beliefs?
Absolutely, green funerals are highly adaptable to various faiths, cultural preferences, or secular beliefs. The simplicity and natural focus allow for ceremonies that can incorporate religious rituals, spiritual elements, or non-religious tributes, such as poetry or music. At Respect Funeral Services, we offer green funerals in our woodland sites that accommodate diverse preferences, using pure cotton shrouds for cultural needs or biodegradable coffins for simplicity. Our team ensures your green funeral respects your beliefs.
Q5. How can I ensure a green funeral reflects my wishes if I’m pre-planning?
Pre-planning a green funeral involves documenting your preferences to ensure a natural farewell. Share these with family or include them in legal directives. At Respect ,Funeral Services we offer prepaid green funeral plans for our woodland sites, securing a plot and details that support ecosystems. Enquire directly for a no-obligation quote to start planning your green funeral.
Book A Visitation At One Of Our Burial Parks
North Nottinghamshire & South Yorkshire Burial Park
Lincolnshire & North Lincolnshire Burial Park
Contact Respect Directly
After Care
If you need extra help, there are excellent resources available:
- NHS: The NHS offers advice on coping with bereavement, including mental health support. Visit their page on Dealing with Grief and Loss for practical tips and helpline details.
- Respect: the Respect Guide, What To Do When Someone Dies covers benefits like the Bereavement Support Payment.
- Cruse Bereavement Support: A UK charity dedicated to grief, Cruse provides free counselling and resources. Learn more at cruse.org.uk.
- Bereavement Advice: Documents needed for arranging a funeral
- GOV: See if you qualify for a Funeral Expense Payment from the government.
