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How is natural burial different?

Natural burial – it’s simply not that different

Natural and traditional burial

There are just a few key differences from a burial at an ordinary cemetery:

  • A three feet deep grave;
  • A biodegradable coffin made from materials such as willow, pine, recycled cardboard or even a simple woollen shroud;
  • No vertical memorial and that’s about it.

This allows the remains to return to the earth more quickly and maintain the natural integrity and beauty of the burial grounds. Since the late nineteenth century we have become used to cremations or burials using coffins with ornate fittings which are not biodegradable but prior to that the system now used for natural burial was the established way of interring the remains of our loved ones.

The burial or service can be wholly traditional in style but with the benefit of taking place in the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of a nature reserve managed and maintained to high conservation, ecological and environmental standards.

Anyone who has a strong affinity with the environment should find Clandon Wood the ideal final resting place.

We think you will be surprised how similar a natural burial can be to one at an ordinary cemetery but with the benefit of being set in a place of natural beauty.

What to look out for across Clandon Wood in September:

Flora: Our hedges are heavy with blackberries, elderberries, rosehips, and hawthorn berries. By only trimming one side each year Clandon Wood maximizes this bounty.

Foraging Mammals: Bank voles, field vole and wood mice hunt for fallen nuts and insects among the ground leaf litter in the hedgerow and our grassland corridors. Always with one eye skyward to avoid our kestrels.

Farmland & Woodland Birds: Yellowhammers, linnets, and tits feed heavily in the shrubbery, while early winter thrushes like redwings can occasionally start arriving on field margins later in the month. Pheasant, partridge, jackdaws and crows are feeding in large numbers in the cut meadows.

Insects & Butterflies: Comma and speckled wood butterflies bask along the sunny side of our hedgerow. Micro climates make a huge difference at this time of year. Flowering ivy along hedge trees provides a vital late-season nectar source for ivy blossom pollinators such as bees, hoverflies, and ivy moths.

About tea, cake & company

At Clandon Wood we firmly believe that providing an environment for the bereaved is just as important as it is for those who have passed away. In this regard we hold a number of ‘aftercare’ events throughout the year for those left behind.

These include our monthly tea, cake and company drop ins which provide an opportunity for anyone who has been bereaved to be among and talk to others who share the experience of loss.

Held in our beautiful glass pavilion they take place from 11.30am to 2.30pm on the last Sunday of every month.

Simply drop in - whether or not you have a loved one at Clandon Wood, you will always be warmly welcomed with kindness, consideration and company.