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A natural burial is a return to nature. The body is buried in a biodegradable coffin, shroud or casket, in a meadow or woodland setting. Over time, the grave becomes part of the landscape, supporting wildlife and native plants.
Yes, small personal items of jewellery can be buried along with a person. As the metals are typically inert and will not cause contamination to the soil or groundwater.
You can leave cut flowers and biodegradable arrangements on the grave. Please avoid oasis and plastic.
You’re welcome to visit any time during daylight hours. Some of our burial grounds are locked and you will need a code to visit (please call us 01600 716 438). We ask that you respect the peace and privacy of others who may be visiting or attending a funeral.
We ask that all coffins, caskets, or shrouds are made from natural, biodegradable materials such as wicker, bamboo, cardboard, wood, or felt.
Yes, ashes can be buried in biodegradable urns or directly into the soil. We don’t scatter ashes, as the high pH can harm plants and soil life.
Due to Government regulations, there are only a few burial grounds which can accept pet ashes. These are: Dorset Downs, Cardiff, Pembrokeshire and Henley
Pembrokeshire is our only burial ground which can provide pet burials.
Dedicated trees are not planted directly on the graves, instead at some of our burial grounds you can plant a tree in a designated area (Aylesbury, Cothiemuir, Dorset and Pembrokeshire).
Please speak to a member of our team before planting flowers or bulbs directly on the grave. Our goal is to keep the species native and natural for the area, protecting the landscape and avoiding grave gardening.
We record the exact position of every grave on our burial register and digital map. Families are provided with the what3words location and the longitude and latitude. We’re always here to help you find it in the future.
Our burial grounds are protected by planning permission, the Ministry of Justice and most are in protected landscapes (AONB or National Parks). The land is managed for conservation, not development.
Yes, that’s fine, there’s no need to remove medical implants or artificial joints.
We only bury at single depth, instead people can purchase plots side-by-side.
We don’t allow scattering, as it can damage the delicate soil ecosystem. Burial of ashes in biodegradable containers is the more natural option.
You don’t have to. Some families choose to make their own arrangements, and we’re happy to guide you through the process.
Facilities vary by burial ground. Some have a shelter or compost toilet, while others are more natural and open. Please contact us if you have any questions about a particular location.
Yes, we welcome all faiths and beliefs, or none. You can hold the ceremony in any way that feels right for you.
Yes, most families hold a simple ceremony or gathering at the graveside. You can include music, readings, or prayers if you wish. Some families make a day of it and put up a marquee, have a band, ask an ice cream truck to come along… Whatever feels right for the person you are celebrating.
Some of our sites have a small wooden shelter, but it’s best to come prepared for the weather. Bring umbrellas or small gazebos if needed.
We recommend wearing practical shoes and warm layers, as the ground can be uneven or muddy at times.
Graves are dug to 4 feet depth for full burials. For ashes burials, we typically dig an 45cm cube.
We ask that ashes are buried in biodegradable urns or simple paper or cloth bags. No plastic or metal, please.
Yes, just let us know at the time of booking or reservation, and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.
No, once a grave is closed it’s not reopened.
No, embalming fluid contains chemicals that can harm the soil and groundwater. We ask that bodies are not embalmed before burial. Only in exceptional circumstances of repatriation, we consider accepting an embalmed body.
No, you don’t. People choose our burial grounds because of their beauty, peace and connection to nature, not their postcode.
Natural fibres such as cotton, wool, linen or silk are ideal. Avoid synthetic fabrics, zips and plastic buttons where you can.
In most cases, there’s no charge for the burial of a child under 18. Please speak to us for more details.
An experienced local gravedigger prepares each grave with machinery. They take great care to make sure everything is ready for the funeral.
The burial ground will remain accessible to families and visitors throughout the 99-year lease. The landowner grants permissive access onto the land for you to visit the graves.
That depends on the soil, coffin type and season, but generally it takes between 10 and 15 years for the body to return fully to the earth.
The grave will settle over time and blend into the landscape. Sometimes this can be an unpredictable and delayed process following a burial. Please rest assured that our dedicated gravedigger will attend to this matter when conditions allow.
We manage the land carefully to encourage wildlife and native plants. Depending on the site, that might mean seasonal meadow cuts, woodland planting, or gentle grazing by sheep.
Yes. Natural burial grounds in the UK are fully legal and regulated. The same rules that apply to traditional burials also apply here, we just do things in a more sustainable way.
We can usually arrange a funeral within a few days, depending on availability, paperwork and payment. Your funeral director will coordinate the timing with us.
The graves are typically dug a day in advance, but you are welcome to stay for the backfilling if you wish.
Yes, we can accomodate Muslim burials. We have designated areas aligned correctly for Mecca and our team can typically arrange a burial within the timeframe.
We understand important to commemorate the names of our loved ones. Instead, of grave markers, you can dedicate a mounted plaque within a memorial shelter or panel at the burial ground. At some of our sites, you can plant a tree in their memory too.
We all know the British weather can be changable, and sadly sometimes the weather is against us. We recommend bringing umbrellas, waterproofs and wellies if the forecast is looking wet and windy. If a red weather warning is issued, we may need to reschedule the funeral.
All of our records are kept on our online system. We have a digital map of the burial grounds and use GPS to map the locations. We use permanent ground markers on site and triangulation to measure the graves.
All cemeteries are within the remit of the Ministry of Justice, and if any exhumations take place, they must be granted by the MoJ. Leedam are also a member of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.
Music and readings can be a very special and personal addition to a service. We don’t have the facilities for these, so please bring a Bluetooth speaker or microphone setup if you would like these at your service.
Paths are usually grass or gravel and may be uneven in places, if you need help accessing the burial ground, please call us in advance and we’ll do what we can to make your visit comfortable.
Ashes can be buried in all of the areas of the burial grounds. There are some specific areas at some of our burial grounds which are ashes only, due to soil depth.
We will contact the family and ask if they wish to renew their rights. A yellow dot will be applied to plaques that have reached 24 years and red dot to those plaques that have exceeded the time limit. Once a year we will do the work of removal and reshuffling.
By the time the lease expires, the burial ground will likely be at capacity, and the land will either continue for burials (if grave reuse legislation proceeds as proposed) or revert to agricultural use, with strong legal protections preventing development without planning consent and Ministry of Justice exhumation licences for every burial.
We carefully manage the land to protect soil health, native plant life, and local wildlife. For this reason, we do not permit the scattering of cremated ashes within our grounds. Ashes are highly concentrated in minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium. They are also alkaline in nature. When scattered repeatedly in the same area, ashes can significantly alter soil chemistry, affecting pH levels and nutrient balance. Over time, this can impact wildflowers, grasses, and delicate ecosystems that depend on stable soil conditions. Maintaining biodiversity and supporting native species are key priorities. By avoiding ash scattering, we help preserve long-term environmental health while ensuring the landscape remains a thriving habitat for generations to come.
Music can bring comfort, reflection and connection at a funeral, helping families express feelings that are often hard to put into words. Here you’ll find a selection of well-loved hymns to guide you in choosing something meaningful for your loved one’s farewell.
A compassionate, step-by-step guide to what to do when someone dies, covering everything from the first few hours through to the funeral and beyond. Designed for families in England, Wales, and Scotland, it explains the practical, legal, and emotional aspects of the process, helping you make informed decisions at your own pace during an overwhelming time.
A practical step-by-step checklist for planning a natural burial, including funeral arrangements, ceremony planning, paperwork, and helpful guidance for families.
Learn why trees are not usually planted directly on graves and how memorial tree dedications help create sustainable woodland at natural burial grounds.
Learn how memorial websites help families share memories, photographs and tributes, creating a lasting online memorial for a loved one.