What is a Green Burial?
A green burial, also known as a natural burial, is for those wanting a simpler and more environmentally friendly means of burial in natural surroundings. Many green burial sites are managed as meadows, woodlands or nature reserves, helping to protect and enhance local biodiversity.
Green burials can usually accommodate a wide range of beliefs and traditions. Many burial grounds welcome religious services or secular ceremonies, personalised readings or family lead services.
Green burials are fully legal across the UK and are carried out with dignity and respect, while prioritising sustainability and land conservation.
Types of Green Burial Sites
In the UK, green burials may take place in:
Dedicated natural burial grounds
Landscapes specifically designed for natural burials, often managed as conservation land.
Green sections of traditional cemeteries
Some local authority cemeteries now offer environmentally friendly burial options.
Burials on private land are possible but require careful consideration and may require legal permissions.
How Green Burials Work
Green burials focus on simplicity and minimal environmental disturbance. Key features usually include:
No embalming fluids - these can contain harmful chemicals
Biodegradable coffins or shrouds - these include those made from wicker, willow, bamboo, cardboard, solid untreated wood, cotton or wool
Shallow graves - this allows natural decomposition and soil enrichment
Natural surroundings - these are often without traditional headstones
Instead of headstones, graves may be marked with a simple wooden plaque, trees or wildflowers. They may also be left unmarked with locations recorded by GPS.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Green Burial
Before making a decision, it’s helpful to consider:
Distance and accessibility for family
Long-term maintenance policies
Memorial options and visiting arrangements
Any restrictions on flowers or tributes
Whether the site is protected for future conservation
We would recommend visiting any natural burial ground that you are thinking of choosing in order that you see for yourself exactly what it looks and feels like, to meet the people who run it and to ask all of the questions you might have about the future of the land.
Finding a Green Burial Ground
Green burials can be found throughout the UK and there are several in Cornwall. Natural burial organisations, such as The Natural Death Centre have a list of natural burial sites in the UK and does point out that the world of natural burial is largely unregulated. However, those sites that belong to the Association of Natural Burial Grounds are all bound by their Code of Conduct to ensure the highest professional and environmental standards.
Penmount Crematorium in Cornwall offers a dedicated natural burial site in a wild meadow. Further information can be found here: Wild Meadow and Natural Burial Site - Cornwall Council
Other sites in Cornwall: Atlantic Rest Natural Burial in Bude, Pentiddy Natural Burials near Pensilva, West Penwith Woodland Burial Placenear Penzance, Pontsmill Woodland Burial in Par and Tamar Valley Green Burial in Gunnislake.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Green burials follow the same legal requirements as conventional burials:
A death must be registered, and the appropriate burial paperwork completed
Burial grounds must comply with local authority regulations
The site owner must maintain burial records permanently
Planning permission and environmental safeguards are required for burial grounds
Costs
Costs vary by location but are often comparable to or lower than traditional funerals. Typical UK costs may include:
Burial plot fee
Interment fee
Optional simple marker or memorial
Administrative costs