top of page
south downs natural burial site.jpg

Natural Burial at South Downs Natural Burial Site in Petersfield £6,836

Fully Inclusive Of All 3rd Party Fees

​

An affordable and dignified, highest quality natural burial service at South Downs Natural Burial Site in Petersfield. With a multi-award winning, local Sussex, family owned Funeral Director.
You can also pre-pay for a Natural Burial at South Downs Natural Burial Site for £249 extra, making the total £7,085.

 

thumbs up.png

5.0

Five-Stars-Graphic.png

based on 150+ Google reviews

What is the cost of a Natural Burial at South Downs Natural Burial Site and what is included in the service?

​

A Natural Burial at South Downs Natural Burial Site at a time and day of your choice is currently £6,836 fully inclusive of all costs. The cost of a funeral is made up of three elements: our services; a coffin; and disbursements.

The price breakdown is as follows. 

 

Our Services £1695 which includes:

  • bringing your loved one into our care from a hospital within a 20 mile radius of Worthing. Extra mileage will be charged accordingly. Bringing your loved one into our care from anywhere other than a hospital (i.e. from home, a nursing home or a hospice) will incur an additional fee of £250.

  • Arranging a time and day convenient to you for the funeral.

  • the provision of a black hearse and four pallbearers to carry your loved one and to inter them into a grave.

  • The attendance of your personal Funeral Director throughout proceedings to ensure the smooth running of events.

  • a personal interview to receive your instructions at our premises or your home.

  • guidance on the Registration of Death.

  • completion of all legal necessities and documentation relating to the funeral on your behalf.

  • 24 hour support and assistance up to the time of the funeral.

  • Collection of floral tribute cards.

  • Distribution of floral tributes within a 5 mile radius.

  • Receipt, listing and distribution of charitable donations.

  • Arrangement of press notices.

 

A coffin £480

  • Provision of a green cardboard coffin, fully lined and fitted, up to and including 6' 1'' x 22'' x 14'' (L x W x D).

 

Disbursements £4,661 (third party payments paid on your behalf) which includes:

  • A religious, non-religious, or semi-religious service conducted by either a Minister, a Priest, a Humanist, or a celebrant (£250).

  • Outdoor covered seating area for the ceremony (£150).

  • Single burial for one person (£4,261).

​

Therefore as an example, a dignified burial at 12 noon at South Downs Natural Burial Site on a Friday with a hearse and pallbearers, a cardboard coffin and a celebrant to conduct a semi-religious service would cost a total of £6,836.

Reviews

thumbs up.png

5.0

Five-Stars-Graphic.png

based on 150+ Google reviews

What our customers say

​

​

Tina Cooper

​

At a time when everything is fraught Rounce's were the epitome of efficiency, understanding & gentle help. So much so that my mum's friend for 60 yrs has arranged to use them for the same type of green burial. And there is no excessive charging of vulnerable relatives. You have as much or as little ceremony as you want.

​

Alex Lloyd

 

We found rounce funeral directors very respectful and helpful at a difficult and sensitive time. I would happily recommend them to anyone who would like to lay there loved ones to rest with dignity and respect.

​

Sarah From the UK

​

Jan and the team were so helpful and supportive at such a sad and difficult time. We were not subjected to any upselling, and there was never any suggestion of pushing 'extra' services that we didn't feel were appropriate.They put us in contact with a wonderful celebrant who also aided and guided us through the process, and the result was a personal and thoughtful funeral that my mother would thoroughly have approved of. In my thank letter to the team, I said that I could understand how someone could want a job like theirs, as they can make such a difference to those left behind. How lovely it was to be cared for by a small independent set up, rather than a faceless corporate company. We can't recommend them highly enough.

Five-Stars-Graphic.png
Five-Stars-Graphic.png
Five-Stars-Graphic.png

South Downs Natural Burial Site - general information

​

The burial ground is situated on the south side of the beautiful South Downs, not far from Old Winchester Hill and 2 miles south of the picturesque village of East Meon.

The site is surrounded on three sides by existing woodland and the fourth side overlooks a fifty-acre sheep pasture which is managed organically.

The burial ground is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty & the South Downs National Park, overlooking the historical Meon Valley.

A walk through the land owned by the Trust, follows paths through woodland and chalk grassland, finally reaching the burial site in a secluded corner, creating a sense of true privacy and intimacy.

On a clear day the upper walk can sometimes offer views across Hampshire to the harbours of Chichester and Langstone in the distance.

The charity Earthworks Trust owns the land, which was a former conifer plantation on part of the old navy base, H.M.S Mercury.

To ensure the protection of the natural surroundings, no permanent markers for the graves, such as headstones, are allowed. The graves are located by a system using trig-points, which are carefully plotted and recorded.

This natural alternative means even the coffins and shrouds are made from biodegradable materials ensuring that no damage is caused to the land.

​

Important Notes

  • The distance from the car park to the Woodland Hall outdoor covered seating area is 200 metres.

  • The distance from the Woodland Hall, to the burial ground is between 400 - 500 metres, depending upon where the plot is.

  • The tracks are uneven and relatively steep. They are extremely challenging for the infirm.

  • Stout footwear is essential and welly boots and Barbour jackets are recommended. Most funeral directors are dressed in this way.

  • Customers are recommended to visit the site, to choose a plot and see the layout of the landscape.

  • The tree will be planted in early March and the owner of the plot can select a species from their website.

  • Lifts to the burial site are currently unavailable. However, they do have a 4 x 4 that they keep clean for a family member to use. There is only one vehicle though, so it could take 4 or 5 people that are in the same bubble. Families are advised to contact the burial site if they are interested, as Rounce do not get involved with insurance and damages.

  • There is no easel in the Woodland Hall, but there is a wall that photos can be pinned to and a bench on which photos in frames can be placed.

  • The internet connection is unreliable and customers are recommended to download any music files prior to the service and proceed on the basis that there is no internet connection.

  • There is no live streaming service and customers are allowed to record the ceremony on their own devices should they wish to do so.

  • There is also a cafeteria which will reopen as soon as they are allowed.

  • Loved ones are conveyed through the grounds to the burial site by choosing either the hand bier or horse drawn cart.

 

Their address and telephone number is:

 

South Downs Natural Burial Site

The Sustainability Centre

Droxford Road

East Meon

Petersfield

Hampshire

GU32 1HR

01730 823425

www.sustainability-centre.org

​

Set in 55 acres of broad-leaf trees and a yew grove, this natural burial site lies in a peaceful and secluded part of the South Downs National Park, near East Meon in Hampshire.

The Sustainability Centre has rooms which can be hired for services and catering if they are available. Some families have a service elsewhere before they come for the committal; other families prefer to hold the service at graveside.

​

South Downs Natural Burial Site - list of services and charges 16/05/2022

​

  • Single burial for one person in single depth plot: £4,261

  • Single burial in double plot: £6,695

  • Single burial for child under 18: £3,861

  • Single burial for an infant: £1,300

These prices include Grave preparation and administration fees as set out below:

  • Digging and Backfilling at single depth for single depth plot: included

  • Digging and Backfilling at double depth for double depth plot: included

  • Digging and Backfilling at single depth for double depth plot: £1,261

  • Administration fee: included

Once a double depth burial has been performed, only the grave preparation cost at single depth and administration charge will be payable for the second burial.​

  • Use of outdoor covered seating area with open fire for the ceremony: £150

​

Rounce Funeral Services

Additional services and charges as of 17/01/2023

​

Bringing the deceased person into our care

  • Bringing your loved one into our care from a hospital within a 15 mile radius of our Worthing premises , undertaken during our working hours (9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday), are included in the service charge for the funeral. Extra mileage will be charged accordingly.

  • Bringing your loved one into our care from anywhere other than a hospital (i.e. from home, a nursing home or a hospice) within a 15 mile radius of our Worthing premises. Extra mileage will be charged accordingly: £250

  • Bringing your loved one into our care from anywhere within Greater London + extra mileage charge / congestion charge / Dartford crossing charge / ULEZ charges: £250 - £500

​​

Vehicle and mileage charges

  • The provision of each black limousine for up to 2½ hours (seats up to 6 people): £330

  • The provision of any hearse or limousine for funerals over 2½ hrs (cost per ½ hr per vehicle): £30

  • Additional mileage above a 15 mile radius (price per mile): £1 - £3

  • The provision of a silver hearse for up to 2½ hours: £230

  • The provision of each silver limousine for up to 2½ hours (seats up to 6 people): £430

  • Black Hearse for floral tributes: £330

  • Horse drawn hearse (2 Black Friesian / Hungarian Grey horses): £1,250

  • Horse drawn hearse (4 Black Friesian / Hungarian Grey horses): £2,000

​

Conveyance of the coffin prior to the funeral

  • Taking the coffin to a funeral venue at any time prior to the funeral including 4 pallbearers: £250 - £500

  • Taking the coffin to a residence at any time before the funeral. This includes the conveyance of the coffin, its unsealing and resealing, the necessary staff and equipment and, where thought appropriate, a home visit beforehand to assess the best location for the coffin while in situ at home: £POA

​

Additional Pallbearers

  • Provision of additional pallbearers over the 4 included in our service charge (each bearer): £50 - £75

  • Additional waiting time per pallbearer per ½ hour: £15

​

Rounce providing Music Services in Chapel / Church / Other Venue

  • Source and Playing of music tracks on portable speaker: £125

​

Care of the deceased

  • Dressing of the deceased person in their own clothes: £80

  • Dressing your loved one in their own clothes who has died with COVID-19: £100

  • Additional dressing after the first dressing: £50

  • Embalming: Not offered

  • Removal of pacemaker or other implantable device: £125

​

Visiting of the deceased

  • Visiting of the deceased person for family and friends, by appointment with the funeral director (where visiting is requested by the customer): £10

  • Additional fee for visiting of the deceased person for family and friends, by appointment with the funeral director outside of normal office hours: £100

​

Cremated Remains (ashes)

  • Cremated Remains decanted into an urn of your choice: £10

  • Collection of cremated remains outside of office hours: £50 - £100

  • Attendance of a funeral director to take ashes and place into ashes plot: £100

  • Administration of arrangements for the interment of ashes: £150 - £250

  • Preparation of ashes plot and backfill (where not conducted by Church or Cemetery): £150

​

Burials and stonemasonry

  • Provision of 4 pallbearers to carry the deceased to grave and inter: £200 - £300

  • Remove and re-fix headstone: £290

  • Clean headstone: £160

  • Re-paint existing inscription (per letter): £1.25

  • Engrave and paint additional inscription (per letter): £2.80 (the memorial will need to be removed for the additional inscription)

  • Provision of temporary grave marker with nameplate: £60

  • Remove and re-fix kerb set: £POA

  • Clean kerb set: £POA

​

Miscellaneous

  • Provision of a light oak effect coffin, fully lined and fitted, over 6'4'' x 24'' x 14'' (L x W x D) up to and including 7' x 30'' x 16'' (L x W x D): £550

  • Provision of other coffins, fully lined and fitted, up to and including 7' x 30'' x 16'' (L x W x D): £POA

  • A personal interview to receive your instructions at our premises or your home, outside of office hours: £150

  • Provision of Our Services for a Saturday cremation: £1,990

  • A religious, non-religious, or semi-religious service conducted by either a Minister, a Priest, a Humanist, or a celebrant outside of office hours: £500

​​

bottom of page