Here is our guide to help you find a natural burial ground that is accessible from South West London and Surrey. Woodland burial sites are places of natural beauty, biodiversity and provide a safe habitat for native flowers, plants and wildlife. They offer a more scenic, natural and unhurried alternative to a churchyard or municipal cemetery burial.
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The burial site prices provided below are a guide only – please check with the individual site for any recent changes to their fees. We can recommend the most appropriate woodland or natural burial site depending on your requirements and budget. Please contact us to discuss the options and have your questions answered.
Environmental ethos
Each site will have specific rules regarding choice of memorial, planting and visiting. The idea of a natural burial ground is that it blends into the surrounding landscape, so graves and ashes interment plots do not have a permanent memorial or grave marker. However it is normally possible to identify the exact location of the plot, as each plot is recorded on a map (sometimes using GPS technology) as a permanent record.
Coffins and embalming
Coffins for natural burials should be made from biodegradable materials, such as woven willow, bamboo, sea-grass, banana leaf, water hyacinth, willow or untreated natural wood – or you can use a shroud or cardboard coffin. Veneered coffins made of MDF, with non-degradable linings and fittings, are not suitable for natural burials. Embalming is to be avoided as it also introduces unwanted chemicals into the earth.
GreenAcres Chiltern
A natural cemetery and ceremonial park nestled in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside, this glorious 72 acre natural woodland site with with warm and welcoming ceremonial buildings is located just outside Beaconsfield, not far from the M40.
- Services provided: Full burials, ashes interments and scattering of ashes. Ceremonial buildings available for funerals and memorials – the Woodland Hall can seat up to 130 people has high-quality audio systems and full-length glass panels that offer panoramic views of the woodland. There is a separate Gathering Hall. Temporary attendance restriction due to Coronavirus: max 30 inside, with seating outside for additional guests (face masks are mandatory).
- Type of coffin accepted: Shroud or other natural fabric covering, eco-coffins made of wood, cardboard, willow, banana leaf or bamboo.
- Tree planting policy: Families can plant a Living Memorial Tree.
- Maintenance regime: The park is managed as a haven for wildlife and the regeneration of native woodlands. Specialised management techniques have been developed to incorporate the burial process within a long-term plan to restore and extend native woodlands.
- Long term vision: A proportion of each sale is placed into an Independent Trust Fund in order to provide funds to secure the long-term preservation and maintenance of the woodlands. The lease is held by the Forestry Commission whose objective is to promote the long-term sustainability of English woodland.
- Fees: Burials from £2,320 (Plot £1,670 + interment fee £650) | Ashes interments from £640 | Hall hire £375 per hour.
- Grave marking / memorialisation: A single wooden memorial post or personalised wooden memorial can be placed to mark the grave. Cut flowers may be laid on the grave.
- Memberships: ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management)
Address: GreenAcres Chiltern, Potkiln Lane, Jordans, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2XB (view map)
Telephone: 01494 872 158
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at GreenAcres Chiltern please contact us.
Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground
This peaceful and tranquil 31 acre nature reserve and natural burial ground, with traditional meadowland, woodland, lakes and wetland, is located in West Clandon, on the outskirts of Guildford and is easily accessible from the A3.
- Services provided: Burials and ashes interments. The on-site pavilion is available to hire for a service, with state of the art audio/visual equipment, accommodating 85 people seated. Temporary attendance restriction due to Coronavirus: max 30 people, their on-site pavilion is currently open as of 11th January 2021, but may be subject to change.
- Type of coffin / urn accepted: Biodegradable coffin or urn such as untreated wood, wicker, cardboard or bamboo (with no no metal, plastic or rubber).
- Tree planting policy: Trees were planted when Clandon Wood opened in 2012, so no further tree planting is required. Any trees, shrubs or unapproved plants or flowers are not permitted to be planted on graves.
- Maintenance regime: The meadows are mowed annually in late summer.
- Long term vision: Clandon Wood aims to conserve a valuable mix of habitats sustainably to provide a place of natural beauty that is also a protected haven for a multitude of local flora and fauna. Clandon Wood has been designed as wild flower meadows and managed woodland. When the site reaches capacity it will remain as a nature reserve and be managed accordingly using income from The Natural Burial Trust.
- Fees: Burial: £2,150 to £5,075 | Ash Interment: £865 to £1,865 | Hire of pavilion for up to 3 hours: £400
- Grave marking / memorialisation: One memorial is permitted per plot – a plaque or a leaf made from British native hardwood or unpolished slate tile. Wild flowers may be planted on graves with approval.
- Memberships: ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management)
Address: Clandon Wood, Epsom Road, West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7FN (view map)
Telephone: 01483 479614
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at Clandon Wood please contact us.
Oakfield Wood at Shamley Green
Oakfield Wood is located in the stunning Surrey Hills area, between the Guildford Road and the Run Common Road adjacent to Manzel Nurseries just north of Rowly and between Shamley Green and Cranleigh, easily accessible from the A3.
- Services provided: Burials and ashes interments. The pavilion is available for the ceremony. The right for both full interment and the interment of cremated remains is granted in perpetuity, so graves are not subject to lease renewal after a term of years,
- Type of coffin / urn accepted: Full Interments in shrouds or coffins made of cardboard, softwood or other similar readily biodegradable materials only are permitted.
- Tree planting policy: Their management scheme takes account of both our consultation with the Forestry Commission and schemes with Wildlife Trusts. Tree planting takes place in the dormant season, between the months of November and March.
- Maintenance regime: The grounds are not intended to be manicured, but left to develop naturally, subject to a certain degree of management until the canopy of the trees takes over.
- Long term vision: The burial ground is becoming an established woodland and provides a sanctuary for birds and wildlife.
- Fees: Burial: £1,240 | Ash Interment: £1,140
- Grave marking / memorialisation: At each grave they plant a broadleaf tree and place a laser engraved wooden plaque bearing the full name and dates of birth and death of the deceased.
- Memberships: [TBC]
Address: Woodland Burials, Oakfield Wood, Guildford Road, Shamley Green GU5 0SQ (view map)
Telephone:01255 880 040
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at Oakfield Wood at Shamley Green please contact us.
GreenAcres Heatherley Wood
A natural cemetery and ceremonial park in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, this tranquil and beautiful natural burial ground is set amidst acres of glorious woodland and wildflower meadows. Easily accessible from the A3, just south west of Guildford.
Please note that due to development work, services in the Woodland Hall at Heatherley Wood will cease to run from Monday 3rd May 2021 until early summer 2021
- Services provided: Full burials, ashes interments and scattering of ashes. A ceremonial building, the Meadow View Hall, is available for funerals and memorials – it provides comfortable seating for up to 60 people, has high-quality audio systems with panoramic views of the meadow and woodland beyond. Temporary attendance restriction due to Coronavirus: max 30 inside, with seating outside for additional guests (face masks are mandatory).
- Type of coffin accepted: Shroud or other natural fabric covering, eco-coffins made of wood, cardboard, willow, banana leaf or bamboo.
- Tree planting policy: Families can plant a Living Memorial Tree.
- Maintenance regime: The park is managed as a haven for wildlife and the regeneration of native woodlands. Specialised management techniques have been developed to incorporate the burial process within a long-term plan to restore and extend native woodlands.
- Long term vision: A proportion of each sale is placed into an Independent Trust Fund in order to provide funds to secure the long-term preservation and maintenance of the woodlands. The lease is held by the Forestry Commission whose objective is to promote the long-term sustainability of English woodland.
- Fees: Burials from £1,760 (Plot £TBC + interment fee £TBC) | Ashes interments from £TBC | Hall hire £TBC per hour.
- Grave marking / memorialisation: A single wooden memorial post or personalised wooden memorial can be placed to mark the grave. Cut flowers may be laid on the grave.
- Memberships: ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management)
Address: GreenAcres Heatherley Wood, Grayshott Rd, Headley, Grayshott GU35 8LA (view map)
Telephone: 01494 872 158
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at GreenAcres Heatherley Wood please contact us.
South Downs Natural Burial Site
Nestling under a canopy of broadleaf trees and a yew grove, this natural burial site lies in a peaceful and secluded area on the South Downs National Park, bordered on three sides by woodland. It is situated between the villages of Clanfield and East Meon, Hampshire, easily accessed from the A3.
- Services provided: Burials only. A room is available for a service, with hospitality options, or you can hold the service at the graveside.
- Type of coffin accepted: Coffins and shrouds made from fully biodegradable non-toxic materials, such as woven willow, bamboo, cardboard, untreated solid wood, sea-grass, banana leaf and water hyacinth – or bio-degradable body bags or shrouds.
- Tree planting policy: The woodland restoration plan involves felling planted conifers and replanting with native species that belong on the South Downs which may eventually be coppiced and harvested for rural industry and wood fuel. Trees are planted in the winter months, when the young tree has the best chance of survival.
- Maintenance regime: The woodland is worked as a coppice to ensure a rich bio-diversity, encouraging wildlife including owls, badgers, raptors and stoats. Natural regeneration allows native species of trees, plants and flowers to flourish.
- Long term vision: There is a long-term management plan to restore the natural woodland and preserve a natural, ecologically rich area for the benefit of nature and for future generations. The burial site is owned by the charity Earthworks Trust.
- Fees: from £2,550
- Grave marking / memorialisation: No permanent headstones or grave-markings. Planting of native wild flowers is permitted.
- Memberships: Unknown.
Address: South Downs Natural Burial Site, The Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 1HR (view map)
Telephone: 01730 823 425
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at South Downs Natural Burial Site please contact us.
Westmill Woodland Burial Ground
An award-winning peaceful, friendly and affordable green burial ground on the Oxfordshire / Wiltshire border, in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse. This natural haven for people, plants and animals is evolving into a small, native woodland and wildflower meadow. The burial ground is part of an organic farm, hosting environmental, creative and charitable activities.
- Services provided: Full burials only. Eco-building available for funeral gatherings that can hold approximately 40 people seated.
- Type of coffin accepted: Shroud or other natural fabric covering, eco-coffins made of wood, cardboard, willow, banana leaf or bamboo.
- Tree planting policy: They plant native English trees from their own tree nursery into locations where the tree will thrive and not have its roots disturbed. Trees are not allowed to be planted on the actual plots.
- Maintenance regime: The site is maintained naturally to create a piece of native woodland and meadow in harmony with surrounding landscape.
- Long term vision: When the site is full it will be maintained as a natural piece of woodland and open ground and will be open for people to visit and enjoy. There are no plans to expand the site.
- Fees: Burials from £400. The open air eco-building is available at no charge.
- Grave marking / memorialisation: Memorials are not allowed to be placed on individual plots, but you can purchase a memorial tablet made from a green grey Cumbrian slate to be laid in a central spiral around the large sarsen stone (an engraved communal memorial stone).
- Memberships: ANBG (Association of Natural Burial Grounds)
Address: Westmill Woodland Burial Ground, B4508, Watchfield, Swindon SN6 8TH (view map)
Telephone: 01367 700 615
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at Westmill Woodland Burial Ground please contact us.
Other Natural Burial Sites
There are at least 270 natural burial grounds in the UK. Some are run as commercial enterprises, others by local authorities and many privately-run by landowners (e.g. farmers), charitable trusts and non-profit organisations. Here is an extended list of natural and woodland burial sites that are accessible from South East London and Surrey.
- Acorn Ridge, Newbury, Berkshire
- Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground, Guildford, Surrey
- Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground, Hassocks, West Sussex
- Eden Valley Woodland Burial Ground, Edenbridge, Kent
- GreenAcres Chiltern, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
- GreenAcres Heatherley Wood, Grayshott, East Hampshire
- Shamley Green, Guildford, Surrey
- South Downs Natural Burial Site, Petersfield, Hampshire
- St Albans Woodland Burial Ground, Bedford, Bedfordshire
- Westmill Woodland Burial Ground, Watchfield, Swindon
- Woodcock Hill Cemetery, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
- Woodland Burial Ground, West Drayton, Middlesex
- Woodland of Remembrance, Guildford, Surrey
- Deerton Natural Burial Ground, Sittingbourne, Kent
- Fairspear Natural Burial Ground, Witney, Oxfordshire
- Riverview Natural Burial Ground, Lower Halstow, Kent
- Sheepdrove Burial Wood, Lambourn Downs, Berkshire
If you would like help with organising a natural burial at any of these sites please contact us.
