Simple, Low Cost, and Environmentally Friendly

You may have considered direct cremation for yourself or a loved one, but there are so many options available. How do you know which is right for you, your family and the environment?

The Natural Burial Company are an experienced team dedicated to caring for the deceased and the environment. Our aim is always to provide the best possible service. Accordingly the care and standards provided for our direct cremation and direct burial services are exactly the same as for our full natural burial services.

The same team of experienced, caring professionals, care for you and your loved one. Our arranging team, Nina, Kayleigh and Christopher have a combined experience of over 60 years caring for the bereaved.

We can make all aspects of the service as simple as possible for you. We can meet you at one of our natural burial grounds or visit you in your own home. Alternatively, all arrangements may be made by email, telephone or a teams/skype call. Once your requirements are confirmed we remain available to help you and your family.

We endeavour to keep our costs low, and whilst we acknowledge that you will find cheaper alternatives, we believe that the quality of our personal care and the service we provide ensures exceptional value.

Care for the environment remains key to our ethos, that’s why three trees are planted for each direct cremation conducted. Our trees are sourced from one of the very best nurseries in the UK, who provide us with trees of exceptional quality. Typically these trees are 5 to 8 feet in height (species dependent) at time of planting. These are not small “whips” as is often the case with other providers. These trees will also be planted on Natural Burial Company land. This ensures they will in time become a part of the memorial woodlands left to nature for future generations. All Natural Burial Company burial grounds will in time be left to nature to ensure a beautiful, natural legacy for those in our care.

We also understand that not everyone wants a cremation, but appreciated the advantages of a direct service. Accordingly, we offer a full Direct Burial service at our natural burial grounds. You would not know the exact location of your loved one, but could visit the burial ground at any time, knowing that the burial ground is itself a memorial to those in its care. Peace, tranquillity and a place to visit and remember can provide a great comfort,

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require further information, or if we can help in any way. Our team are available on (0116) 222 0247 or at [email protected]

The Good Funeral Awards 2023

The Natural Burial Company are proud to announce that we have once again been nominated in the highly prestigious Good Funeral Awards.

This year we have to date been nominated in three categories – Best Burial Ground, Best Innovative Service (for our Direct Natural Burials), and Best Bereavement Awareness Support (for Wrottesley Park Environment Day). The nominations remain open until 31st July so we may also receive further nominations. This is a great honour for The Natural Burial Company as we care deeply for providing the best possible service to the bereaved and the environment.

We are extremely pleased that our new Direct Funeral Services, Direct Natural Burial and Direct Cremation with Natural Burial of Cremated Remains, have had such a positive impact. We offer these services to help provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly services whilst also ensuring the same high level of care and support from our team.

We have been successful in previous years, winning Best Bereavement Awareness Day in 2019 and Burial Ground of the Year in 2021. We have also been honoured to have been nominated for awards in 2018 and 2022.

The Good Funeral Awards are presented annually in conjunction with the National Association of Green Funeral Directors, and nominations are received from those involved in funeral service and the general public. Accordingly, anyone can nominate those they believe have provided exceptional service in a number of categories covering all aspects of funeral service. This years event is being held on Saturday 23rd September at the National Conference Centre, Solihull, and further details of the event and how to nominate can be found here Home (agfdgoodfuneralawards.co.uk)

Our Burial Grounds – Scraptoft

Scraptoft Natural Burial Ground, near Leicester, provides a complete range of natural burial and direct cremation with natural burial of cremated remains services.

Scraptoft opened in 2002, as such many areas within the burial ground have matured into beautiful woodland. Plots within both the mature areas and developing woodland are available, meadow areas can also be chosen for interments. Benches are available throughout the burial ground to allow natural, tranquil places to sit and remember, surrounded by birdsong and nature.

The Natural Burial Company are now offering Direct Cremations with natural interment of cremated remains. This allows for a simple unattended cremation service followed by a Celebration of Life or interment service at Scraptoft Natural Burial Ground. The interment at Scraptoft includes a tree on the grave and a slate plaque. Two additional trees are also planted elsewhere to support the environment and to provide a beautiful, natural, legacy.

The natural burial ground is close to Leicester, but easily accessible from much of the East Midlands. Although everyone is welcome at Scraptoft and there are no additional charges or restrictions on who can be interred.

For further details, or to visit Scraptoft, our team can be contacted on (0116) 222 0247 or by email at [email protected]

Our Burial Grounds – Prestwold

Serving Loughborough, Charnwood, and all of the East Midlands. The Natural Burial Company provide Direct Cremations with natural burial of cremated remains, Direct Burial and full personalised funeral services at Prestwold Natural Burial Ground.

Situated in a quiet rural location, Prestwold was one of the very first natural burial grounds in the Midlands, opening in 1999. As such, many areas are now beautiful woodland as the trees planted in remembrance over the years have matured. This ensures a wonderful natural habitat for many forms of wildlife. To further support biodiversity other areas are left to nature, ensuring many benefits to the environment.

Recently a beautiful new area has been opened. The Orchards provides wonderful views of the countryside in a tranquil setting. Full interments and burials of Cremated Remains can be conducted here, with shelters and chairs available for a complete funeral service or celebration of life to be conducted. Refreshments and a Bluetooth speaker can also be provided free of charge.

Plots can be chosen and paid for in advance and our team are available to meet at the natural burial ground to answer your questions and explain the many options available.

For further information, or to arrange an appointment to meet, please telephone (0116) 222 0247 or email [email protected] our team would welcome the opportunity to help in any way that they can.

Our Burial Grounds – Wrottesley Park

For Direct Cremation with natural burial of cremated remains, Direct Burial, and fully personalised funeral services and Celebrations of Life in the West Midlands we offer the tranquillity and beauty of Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground.

Wrottesley Park is situated just outside of Wolverhampton, close to the villages of Perton, Tettenhall, and Codsall, with easy access to the A41 and Telford.

Once part of the historic Wrottesley Hall parkland, Wrottesley Park has now been returned to its former glory, providing a beautiful area within the woodland.

The burial ground is relatively new, opening in 2015, although the beautiful mix of new and mature trees, including two particularly outstanding Oaks, and meadows provides a perfect setting for nature and biodiversity.

As well as full and cremated remains interments there is a special area within the woodland for those who may wish to scatter ashes. A Memorial Tree area is also available with a variety of memorial trees available to provide a natural legacy for loved ones.

Unlike many traditional cemeteries in the area, there are no additional charges for those who live outside of the Wolverhampton, and those with all traditions and beliefs are welcome. There are no time constraints on services, and personalisation such as picnics and music are encouraged.

For further information on the available services, or to arrange a visit, please contact the Natural Burial Company team on (0116) 222 0247 or by email [email protected]

A Direct Funeral Can Still Be Personal

Much is said of direct funerals being impersonal and not allowing the family an opportunity to say goodbye. This does not have to be the case.

Whilst it is true that an unattended cremation or burial does not allow direct family involvement in this aspect of the service, a funeral or celebration of life can then be arranged. This allows many advantages, including.

Allowing family and friends to say goodbye together on a day and time convenient to all – This could be in the spring or summer if the death was during the winter months. The date could be arranged many months in advance to allow everyone the opportunity to attend. A picnic or other event could be arranged to ensure a truly personal goodbye.

The cost is much cheaper than a traditional funeral service – This allows money to be saved, or to be used for the celebration of life or special event.

You have time to plan – It will be difficult to make important decisions at a time of upset and distress. Having time to consider what’s really important can be so beneficial. Maybe arranging a family meal to remember your loved one and discussing favourite music, readings, poetry, and happy memories can be a positive experience.

Direct Cremation and Direct Burials are not for everyone and we understand that many find comfort in being present with the coffin. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing a full range of services for all. Our team are available to listen and help if you wish to arrange a direct or traditional service, always whilst ensuring that we adhere to our ethos of care and respect for the environment and the bereaved.

Services for All

We not only provide direct cremation and burial services, The Natural Burial Company also help support full funeral services. Our Family Led Services are arranged to ensure complete care and personalisation whilst also ensuring costs are kept to a minimum.

Our experienced team are able to provide a full range of services for those who may not wish to use a traditional funeral director. We offer an extensive range of coffins, caskets and shrouds, made from materials such as cardboard, bamboo and willow. Family and friends can fully support and truly personalise the service by carrying and lowering the coffin.

The service itself can be as traditional or personal as you wish. Our team will help support and guide you throughout all of the arrangements and make suggestions to ensure your final goodbye is exactly as you want it to be. Services can include music (live or via bluetooth speakers), songs, poems, readings, or whatever you believe is appropriate. A toast can be made at the graveside and picnics can be arranged. We do not have time constraints on our services and we only hold one a day at each burial ground so there is no requirement to leave to make way for another service.

All of our services are conducted ensuring our key ethos of care for the bereaved, care for the environment, and fighting funeral poverty. So you know we will be doing our best for you whilst caring for nature and supporting biodiversity.

Our prices for a complete Family Led Service, including all aspects of the funeral arrangements, service, grave and coffin start from £2,700 at our Prestwold (Loughborough) and Scraptoft (Leicester) Natural Burial Grounds, and £2,870 at Wrottesley Park (Wolverhampton) Natural Burial Ground. For further details please contact us on (0116) 222 0247 or by email [email protected]

Tree Planting in Memory

A key aspect of our direct cremation service is to plant three trees for each cremation conducted. One tree is planted on the grave and two others in another location. This will be at one of our burial grounds, or on land close by.

We believe that it is vital to care for the environment as best we can, whilst also providing a beautiful legacy for your loved one. Safe in the knowledge that the trees will grow, support nature and encourage biodiversity.

We have now commenced tree planting for this year. Planting trees at The Orchards, our new natural burial ground at Prestwold, near Loughborough. The initial trees planted are cherries and have been especially chosen to ensure a beautiful display of spring blossom in future years.

Direct Cremation Discussed on the Jeremy Vine Show

It’s great to hear that direct cremation and unattended funerals are being discussed on national radio. However, we are concerned that some people feel that they have not had the opportunity to grieve when a family member selects this option.

It’s one of the reasons why our direct cremation service always includes the option to conduct a celebration of life or memorial service at the natural burial ground once the cremation has taken place.

Our team make all arrangements with you to ensure that family and friends can meet to say goodbye and remember on a day and time convenient to all. The day can include music, a picnic, or whatever is right for you. We will work with you to ensure your final goodbye is exactly as you would wish it to be.

And of course, we always plant three trees, one on the grave and two elsewhere, for each direct cremation conducted.

You can listen to the discussions on the Jeremy Vine Show here Jeremy Vine – 21/02/2023 – BBC Sounds the direct cremation discussion commences at approximately 30 minutes 54 seconds.

Service and Value

Direct cremation continues to attract media attention. Up to 18% of funerals in the UK are now direct services and there is every possibility that this style of funeral will continue to grow.

The BBC today provide interesting reading regarding this option Cost of living: ‘I don’t want a funeral, it’s a waste of money’ – BBC News and argue the case both for direct services, and for the traditional funeral service. We agree that everyone should have a choice and no one size fits all. However, what we do believe is important, is ensuring that the quality of care and service is always the same. The best it can be. That’s why the same team who provide our Family Led Services also arrange and care for our Direct Cremation and Burial services.

Our team are experienced and dedicated to supporting the bereaved and the environment. Our arrangers, Christopher and Nina, have 39 and 23 years funeral service experience, and are passionate about making a difference.

Price-wise, our Direct Cremation Service with Natural Burial of Cremated Remains is available from £1,750 and our Direct Natural Burial Service £1,740. For those who prefer a more traditional funeral service, our charges for a complete service (including plot, digging, all arrangements, a cardboard coffin, removal, care, transport, and our team on the day of the service) are available from £2,700. This is a quite some saving when considering the average funeral cost of £4,056.

Finally, we do understand that natural funeral services are not for everyone, and that after a direct cremation some families may wish to to have the ashes returned rather than being buried in a natural burial ground. If this is you, please ensure that you are satisfied with the company you are using and the service they provide. There are many excellent funeral directors who provide caring, quality service for a sensible price. Please don’t be afraid to ask questions, or get a friend to do this for you. The best funeral directors will always be open and answer any questions that you may have.