What is a Natural Burial?
Natural burials have burst onto the scene for memorial services and its quickly becoming a popular choice, but why? The following blog dives into what a Natural burial is and why more people are opting for one instead of a traditional burial.
Natural burials, also known as green burials, are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial methods. This practice focuses on simplicity and sustainability, aiming to minimise the environmental impact typically associated with conventional burials.
The key features of a natural burial ground include:
Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Biodegradable Materials: Natural burials utilise biodegradable coffins, shrouds, and urns made from materials such as bamboo, wicker, cardboard, or untreated wood. These materials decompose naturally, allowing the body to return to the earth.
- No Embalming: The use of toxic embalming fluids is avoided, ensuring that no harmful chemicals are released into the soil.
Natural Settings:
- Woodland Burial Grounds: Bodies are interred in natural settings such as meadows, woodlands, or designated natural burial sites. These areas are often protected and maintained to support local ecosystems and wildlife.
- Minimal Landscaping: Grave sites are marked with natural stones, wooden plaques, or indigenous plants rather than traditional headstones, maintaining the natural appearance of the burial ground.
Why are Natural Burial Grounds becoming popular?
Caring about nature and the environment is a change that we have all seen across the country. More and more individuals are making changes in their everyday lives to improve their effects on the environment and this has filtered down into the choices people are making to their funeral plans. Choosing a natural burials helps protect the environment by reducing pollution and conserving resources. Additionally, they contribute to the creation and maintenance of green spaces.
Another reason why natural burials have become a more popular choice is it that families often have the freedom to create personalised ceremonies that reflect the beliefs and values of the deceased, without the constraints of conventional funeral practices.
Finally, they can be more affordable than traditional burials, as they avoid the costs associated with embalming, expensive caskets, and elaborate grave markers.
Here at UK memorials we sell grave markers designed specifically for Green Burials, click here to learn all about these.