Woodland burials are being promoted as the new ecological alternative to cremation and the Natural Burials movement is gaining ground writes Robert Armour
Tackling the issue of death might be a taboo for many but for Gordon Peters it’s his job. He’s part of the Natural Burials movement promoting eco-friendly funerals which is fast becoming the ecological, sustainable and more economic alternative to traditional ceremonies.
Unbeknown to many, in Scotland there are some 20 natural burial sites which Peters is eager to highlight and get more folk to consider instead of graveyards or crematoria. The problem is that local authorities are running out of space while, at the same time, cremation isn’t at all good for the environment.
“In Germany, graves are reused after only 30 years, the existing remains usually being exhumed and cremated,” he says. “In Australia and New Zealand, ‘dig and deepen’ is carried out in urban areas as a matter of routine. But in the UK there are strict laws going back to the days of the grave robbers preventing graves being reused or exhumed.”
To explain, woodland burials use a biodegradable coffin or casket usually made out of recycled paper, wicker, willow or even banana leaves with no headstone used. Instead they are identified by a tree or flowers and over time often become indistinguishable from the woodland. Many natural burial grounds also have a map, so that the bereaved may visit the site of their loved one.
Some natural burial grounds do not have maps to individual graves, but the bereaved may consider the whole woodland as a memorial to their loved one.
Some natural burial sites also host human composting, also known as terramation, which is the natural organic reduction of human remains to soil where a body is placed in an enclosure, after non-organic materials, such as metal fillings and artificial joints have been removed.
Warm air and organic materials such as wood chips, alfalfa and straw speed up the process of decomposition. Over the course of about 30 days, the body, breaks down, creating about one cubic metre of soil.
“Many funeral companies offer natural burials as an alternative but they are not often promoted,” says Peters. “The Natural Burial movement wants to promote the idea to individuals as there is not enough awareness just now, despite growing interest in alterative funerals.”
Part of the problem is death still remains a very taboo subject. People will more readily leave arrangements to loved ones than take care of the logistics themselves, leaving confusion as to what they really wanted in death.
However, the movement has made substantial progress in attracting more people to the cause, even hosting roadshows at major events.
“We were at Glastonbury and the interest was fantastic,” says Peters. “It’s probably true that more middle class people have natural burial on their radar but we’re actually seeing a lot of interest in all social classes. It also cuts across secular and religious. There’s a confusion that the burials are secular and irreligious. It can be what you want it to be. If you want a celebrant or a minster to conduct a woodland funeral then it’s your choice. That’s why it’s important to get the right information surrounding the burials out there.”
Peters says his only motivation is the environment. A campaigner for the climate justice movement before becoming an overseas development officer for Plan International, he is a self-confessed dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist who wants to reshape people’s thinking no matter if it’s taboo.
“After spending years researching and lecturing communities on the damaging impact of livestock effluent, I reckoned I had good credentials to tackle pretty much any taboo,” he says.
In terms of cost, a burial plot at a natural burial ground can start from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds, depending on the site you choose and where you live in the country.
Peters explains: “In addition to the cost of buying the woodland burial plot, you may need to pay a gravedigging or interment fee. The way these fees are structured can differ between natural burial grounds.”
He adds: “If you are considering a green funeral for yourself or your loved one, speak to your family and make sure your wishes are known. It doesn’t have to be an awkward conversation.”
