Funerals in nature with White Rose

A natural ending

Nick and Jacqui of White Rose Modern Funerals discuss the peace and tranquility of a nature based family farewell

Picture a beautiful woodland, where you can peacefully wander and listen to birdsong. Visualise a meadow nature reserve, resplendent with wildfl owers where insects and wildlife proliferate. As a fi nal resting place when a burial is preferred, natural burial grounds are a world away from the sterile rows of stone and marble that dominate a traditional cemetery. And the cost is no longer as prohibitive as it once was. A tranquil spot in the Surrey Hills or Chilterns can be far less costly (plots start from £1,240) than an urban cemetery plot where space is at a premium typically costing £000’s.

We meet many families wanting a more ecological funeral option. With natural burials, traditional funeral transport or fl owers attached to a plastic base are not in keeping with the natural setting of a tranquil woodland or meadow. We typically recommend low key informal transport and natural hand-tied arrangements of fl owers. Coffi ns are crafted from biodegradable materials such as willow, bamboo, natural wood or cardboard without fake adornments such as plastic gold coloured decorative handles. There are strict rules on memorialisation and planting – no permanent headstones are allowed, instead you may have a wooden plaque or some allow a tree to be planted.

But whilst the environmental issues are important, the biggest difference that we see is how the calm tranquility of these nature havens give families a much needed sense of solace and peace at a most diffi cult time. We’ve organised simple family led services at a woodland or meadow graveside with minimum of fuss. Whilst other families have made use of the ceremonial halls and opted for a service followed by the burial. As modern funeral directors we are always exploring how we can make a family farewell less foreboding. For families that prefer the option of cremation, we regularly organise cremation services at the ceremonial halls of certain natural burial grounds, so they too are experiencing the value of nature at a time of great sadness and loss. And with options for scattering or interring ashes at a natural burial ground, we can always fi nd a nature based answer for families. n

At your time of need when facing the death of a loved one, please call us. We are a husband and wife team here to help.

whiterosemodernfunerals.co.uk 020 3281 1045 Causeway House, 13 The Causeway, Teddington, TW11 0JR