Natural Burials &
Eco-Friendly Funerals
More and more families are choosing eco-friendly funeral options to not only pay tribute to their loved ones but to also minimize their environmental impact.
We offer a range of eco-friendly burial options, providing a peaceful and meaningful way to say goodbye while caring for the earth.
What is an Eco-Friendly Funeral?
An eco-friendly funeral focuses on reducing the impact on the environment, offering a gentle, sustainable way to say farewell.
These funerals embrace simplicity and harmony with nature, featuring sustainable materials and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals like embalming fluids.
By choosing natural burial grounds over conventional cemeteries, families can ensure that their loved ones rest in an environment that reflects their life and values.
Natural or Green Burials
A green burial offers a natural, biodegradable approach to burial.
In this option, the deceased is placed in a biodegradable coffin made of environmentally sustainable materials such as wicker, wool or cardboard, or wrapped in a burial shroud, with no embalming fluids used.
These burials often take place in serene, protected settings such as wildflower meadows, woodlands, or parklands.
The intention is for the body to naturally decompose and nourish the earth, creating a lasting, living tribute to your loved one.
Woodland Burials
Woodland burial grounds are peaceful, natural spaces, surrounded by trees, wildflowers, and the beauty of nature. Here, the deceased is laid to rest in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, with no traditional headstones marking the grave.
Instead, graves are often marked by trees, shrubs, or natural plaques, allowing the site to gradually become a thriving habitat for local wildlife. It’s a place where life continues, providing a deep connection to nature.
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Find a Natural Burial Site Near You
We work with a number of natural burial grounds in the area to help families find the most suitable resting place for their loved ones.
Below are some of the local options:
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Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground (West Sussex)
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South Downs Natural Burial Ground (Hampshire)
Contact us for guidance on selecting the most appropriate site for your loved one.
Home or Private Land Burials
For some, a natural burial in a personal location—such as their own property—offers a way to create a truly intimate and meaningful resting place.
This option allows families to connect with their loved one’s memory while maintaining a minimal environmental impact.
If considering this route, it’s important to consult with a professional to ensure compliance with local regulations and permissions.
Why Choose an Eco Funeral?
Opting for an eco-friendly burial offers many benefits, both for the environment and the grieving family.
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These include:
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Environmental Impact: By avoiding embalming chemicals and opting for sustainable materials such as wool, willow, or cardboard for coffins, green burials help reduce the carbon footprint.
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A Personal Farewell: Eco funerals allow for a more personalised service, focusing on the individual’s life, legacy, and connection to nature, rather than adhering to traditional funeral rituals.
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A Beautiful Resting Place: Green burial grounds offer a peaceful, natural environment for remembering your loved one. Woodland and meadow burial sites provide a serene setting for reflection.
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Cost-Effective: Green funerals are often more affordable, as they emphasise simplicity. The use of natural materials and the elimination of elaborate coffins and headstones typically results in lower expenses.
Memorials and Marking the Grave
In natural burial sites, traditional headstones are often replaced with more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as planting a tree, placing a wooden plaque, or marking the grave with a biodegradable marker.
Families often find comfort knowing that their loved one’s resting place will return to nature, contributing to the cycle of life and offering a lasting tribute that blends seamlessly with the environment.
Simple Ways to Make Your Funeral More Eco-Friendly
At Rounce Funeral Services, we encourage families to consider small but meaningful ways to reduce their environmental impact.
Here are a few suggestions:
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Choose seasonal flowers and avoid floral foam or plastic.
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Use digital invitations or e-cards to reduce paper waste.
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Choose eco-friendly coffins made from biodegradable materials such wool, wicker, or cardboard, or have a burial shroud instead.
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For memorials, consider alternatives like paper boats with seeded paper, memorial sunflower seeds or bubbles instead of balloon releases or Chinese lanterns, also known as sky lanterns.
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Opt for a natural burial ground rather than a traditional cemetery to support local conservation efforts.
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Use sustainable urns for ashes, such as biodegradable urns that can be planted with a tree or water-soluble urns for a natural water burial.
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Encourage guests to carpool or use public transport to reduce the carbon footprint of travel.
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Choose a digital order of service instead of printed booklets, or print on recycled paper with eco-friendly inks.
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Select a venue that prioritises sustainability, such as a woodland burial site, an outdoor ceremony, or a venue powered by renewable energy.
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Incorporate live music or acoustic performances instead of recorded music to reduce energy usage.
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Consider natural grave markers like engraved wooden plaques, wildflowers, or native plants instead of traditional stone headstones.
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Encourage charitable donations to environmental causes in memory of the deceased instead of floral tributes.
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Use eco-friendly candles made from beeswax or soy rather than paraffin-based candles.
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Ensure all refreshments are sourced locally and sustainably, using biodegradable plates and cups where necessary.
Eco-Friendly Products and Services at Rounce Funeral Services
We are committed to providing compassionate, environmentally conscious options for honouring your loved one. We offer a variety of eco-friendly products such as biodegradable coffins and shrouds, natural urns, natural, hand-tied flowers and foliage and memorial seeds.
At Rounce Funeral Services, we believe in honouring your loved one’s memory while also caring for the environment. If you’re considering a green burial, woodland burial, or any other eco-friendly funeral option, please reach out to us.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way, helping you create a fitting, heartfelt, and environmentally-conscious tribute that reflects your loved one’s life and values.
