Woodland & natural burial grounds in and near London
Woodland and natural burial grounds are a beautiful alternative to traditional cemeteries. There are several woodland and natural burial grounds within easy reach of London, set in beautiful and peaceful locations you can return to time and time again. Some have ceremonial buildings on site where the funeral ceremony can be held with no time pressure.
Some natural burial grounds will allow a simple marker at the grave site whilst others encourage the idea that the person who has died is becoming part of the natural landscape. Each natural burial ground is different and has its own approach. It's good to visit and have a good look around before making a decision.
Poetic Endings is able to arrange funerals at any natural burial ground in and within reach of London. Please get in touch to talk it through.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in London
Greenacres is a unique ceremonial park based in South East London. It offers a woodland burial area as well as a ceremony hall seating up to 180 people.
This woodland burial area is a small 'woodland' area within the historic Brockley Cemetery, run by Lewisham Council. No headstones or memorials are allowed, but you can arrange for the council to plant a tree during planting season.
Please note - out of area fees apply to non-residents of Lewisham
Six acres of natural woodland burial ground are situated within the impressive City of London Cemetery, which opened in 1856. The woodland burial area has established trees and wild grass open spaces.
Memorials and headstones are not permitted, but trees are individually numbered to mark graves.
Set within the historic Islington & St Pancras Cemetery in East Finchley, the woodland burial area offers a peaceful and natural option close to central London.
Graves can be marked with small wooden memorials.
Please note - out of area fees apply to non-residents
A new natural burial area is situated in the Twickenham Cemetery at Hospital Bridge Road towards the rear of the cemetery.
No form of individual memorial, flowers or any other items is permitted. Trees, shrubs, bulbs etc will need to be selected and planted by the cemetery team.
With stunning views across London and Essex, this new cemetery is in a secluded location and offers a haven of tranquillity, natural beauty and wildlife. Its set within 70 acres of gently undulating green meadows and pockets of woodland.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in Kent
Eden Valley Woodland Burial Ground is a beautiful 20-acre ‘green burial cemetery’ located in Kent and run by the Natural Death Centre Charity.
Burials take place adjacent to the ancient, bluebell woodland, amongst younger but well-established oak trees. Memorial trees planted will enhance this new woodland further and over the years, extending it over the whole site.
There is no ceremony hall or toilet facilities at Eden Valley, so you may wish to think of holding a service in a location nearby or having a service at the graveside.
Deerton Natural Burial Ground is situated between Faversham and Sittingbourne in Kent, the Garden of England. It is managed on ecologically sound lines so providing an informal, nature-rich environment for peaceful reflection on our own lives and those of the loved ones who rest there.
Great care is taken to protect the existing environment as well as gradually enhancing it by careful management. The planting of local, native trees and wildflowers is taking place.
Riverview is Kent Natural Burial’s new site and is now open for pre-purchasing of plots and immediate need. This new, elevated site has far reaching views, north, over the Swale estuary and beyond the Thames. It is nestled between Newington and Lower Halstow, with it’s small quay where barges are moored in this sleepy village which used to have a thriving brick industry servicing much of the London and Medway area. At the top of the site you can see across to the estuary and look down the hillside to the watercress beds in the fold of the land. On two sides of the ground horses play and some of the local hens wonder by. The site sitting high above a tidal creek brings interesting bird species, which you can sit and watch along with the huge numbers of dragonflies that gather here in the summer months.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in essex
An enchanting place, with 52 acres of glorious mature woodland surrounding award-winning ceremonial buildings: let the true beauty of nature be part of your life celebration.
Full-length glass panels in the Woodland Hall bring the tree canopy into the room with breath-taking effect. Across a courtyard living-walled with hazel is a warm and inviting Gathering Hall.
GreenAcres Epping Forest is a stunningly unique venue in which to celebrate, commemorate, and honour those key moments in life’s journey – to remember incredible memories, and to create joyous new ones.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in surrey
Thirty-one acres of traditional wildflower meadowland, lakes, wetland and young woodland making up the award winning naturally managed burial ground near Guildford.
Clandon Wood was designed as a nature reserve as well as a burial ground with the intention of creating a lasting and ecologically sustainable legacy for future generations.
The elegant contemporary glass pavilion provides an ideal space for the ceremony, and even the wake. The coffin can be transported through the meadow by Eddie, a carthorse.
Set in the heart of 400 acres of beautiful grounds at Brookwood Cemetery, Gillian’s Meadow is available for green burials.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in buckinghamshire
An enchanting place, with 72 acres of glorious mature woodland surrounding award-winning ceremonial buildings: let the true beauty of nature be part of your life celebration.
Full-length glass panels in the Woodland Hall bring the tree canopy into the room with breathtaking effect. Across a courtyard living-walled with hazel is a warm and inviting Gathering Hall. Vibrant with wildflowers and wildlife, the tranquil harmony of the woodland enriches family gatherings and special occasions.
The Woodland Burial Ground has been planted as a series of glades and woodland within Chesham Bois Burial Ground. It's located next to Bois Wood in an area designated as an area of natural beauty.
Trees planted include beech, ash, hornbeam and hazel – all native to the area. The glades are cut three times a year to encourage native species.
Opened in May 2000, Olney Green Burials, set in nearly ten acres, is surrounded by permanent pasture in a area designated for agricultural use only, located on the gently sloping sides of the valley of the Great Ouse river and overlooking the small country town of Olney.
Set in beautiful countryside the burial ground is peaceful but not isolated being within a few miles and easy reach from Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton.
The area currently in use for burials is fenced to exclude grazing sheep and the grass allowed to grow naturally and has become a haven for grass loving wild life and numerous wild flowers. Access to graves is by pathways mown through the grass during the summer months.
A picturesque meadow, surrounded by mature hedges and trees under magnificently big skies. It offers wide views across towards Beacon Hill, Chequers, and Coombe Hill, topped by its monumental column.
Its boundary is marked by Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard and the town of Aylesbury to the north. The Chiltern Hills are to the southeast. Princes Risborough and High Wycombe to the south. Thame and Oxford to the west and Bicester and Brackley due northwest.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in oxfordshire/ warwickshire
The tranquillity of the burial ground at Rotherfield Greys, just outside Henley, is typical of the surrounding landscape of the Chilterns. Unhurried, tranquil and private, a place of escape, away from it all.
The burial ground is planting new native woodland across the areas where burials take place, so one day this place will be a thriving mature woodland with open glades and rides, shrub margins and deeper woodland shade.
In the rural sheep country between Banbury and Stratford upon Avon, Sun Rising is 16 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow, carefully managed for both visitors and wildlife. Stone tracks and mown paths allow you to wander through the natural peace and beauty.
Family-oriented, eco-friendly, simple funerals are wholly supported. Funerals can take place in the oak-framed longhouse, Cotswold stone roundhouse or outside on mown grass. Services can be of any belief system. Many families use the longhouse for refreshments after the burial.
A memorial tree can be planted on the grave in a woodland burial area, with a Welsh slate plaque. Meadow burials can be marked with a plaque on a pathside post.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in berkshire
Imagine the timeless views of the rolling hills and meadows surrounded by open skies, wild flowers and ageing trees, the sound of birdsong and wildlife adding to the feeling of tranquillity and respect.
Set within the heart of the Berkshire countryside, just five miles South West of Newbury and above the river Enborne, this peaceful spot has been set aside as a natural burial ground for those who wish to be interred in a setting of endless beauty.
There are no gravestones, only small Portland stone markers set in the ground which may be inscribed with a name and dates. Native trees and shrubs are planted, and flowers add a natural splash of colour throughout the seasons.
Sheepdrove Organic Farm is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, high up on the ancient Lambourn Downs in a peaceful, rural setting.
Sheepdrove’s natural burial ground is a deciduous woodland, planted with native trees and sheltered by mature hedgerows, with stunning, far-reaching views of our organic meadows and the surrounding valleys. Under the trees, native wildflowers such as cowslips, oxeye daisies, lady’s bedstraw and scabious provide a habitat for a variety of bees and wildlife.
The stunning Eco-Conference Centre can accommodate up to 150 guests and is the perfect place to celebrate a life.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in hertfordshire
The Woodland Cemetery opened in 2002 to give residents an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cemeteries in the form of a natural woodland.
There are no headstones and only biodegradable coffins and caskets may be selected for burial, such as cardboard, wicker, soft woods or shroud. A fee can be paid into the woodland management fund and in the appropriate season tree and bulb planting sessions are held, in which family and friends are invited.
The cemetery is carefully managed to encourage a healthy indigenous woodland and natural meadowland to encourage wild flowers and promote natural habitats.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in west sussex
Set in 15 acres of countryside you can be part of a new English wood that will be protected from development, within the South Downs National Park.
Opened in 2008 below the Jack and Jill Windmills, this beautiful site has various dedicated areas for natural burial and cremated remains, as well as memorial scattering lawns, surrounded by native trees for future generations to enjoy.
As part of Clayton Wood's commitment to sustainable management, they are working with the Wildlife Trust to develop a long-term conservation plan. The aim is to create beautiful natural native woodland that will link up with two other existing woods, creating migration corridors for wildlife.
Woodland & Natural Burial Grounds in east hampshire
GreenAcres Heatherley Wood is a beautiful and unique place. The natural setting breathes serenity, and the glorious meadow and woodland, with its multitude of flora and fauna, reflects the cycle of life that we are all part of.
Since the park was established in 2015, many families have chosen to lay their cherished ones to rest here, or have celebrated a life by holding a memorial service, wake or anniversary remembrance. The stunning Meadow View Hall and the peaceful meadow and woodland provide the perfect backdrop to remember, honour and appreciate life. The friendly, compassionate and professional GreenAcres Heatherley Wood team are always on hand to offer help and guidance.
Set within an ancient woodland, Bluebell Cemetery natural burial ground offers a beautiful alternative to a traditional burial. Graves are set amongst trees and wildflowers with them being simply marked with a rustic stone or wooden plaque.
Opened in June 2019, Bluebell Cemetery nestles within an area of outstanding natural beauty and green belt close to Junction 4 of the M25 and less than one mile from Knockholt station, offering easy access to the communities of South London, Kent and Surrey.
The air-conditioned modern chapel is available for funerals, featuring state of the art audio and visual equipment with the option of webcasting to allow family and friends, who are unable to attend, to join the service