Personal Goodbyes – Service, Care, and Value for All

So much has changed in funeral service in recent years, there is rightfully a greater demand for more personalised service, care for the environment, and value for money. Direct unattended cremations have also increased, leading to online providers offering low cost services without the assurance of the overall care of a traditional funeral director. People rightfully expect to say goodbye to their loved ones in the most appropriate way, whilst wishing to be sure of quality standards of service, care, and value for money.

Therefore, at The Natural Burial Company we now have a range of services, ensuring Service, Care, Environmental Responsibility, and Value. We are calling this new range Personal Goodbyes.

Personal Goodbyes focus on the most important aspects of funeral service to ensure that everything is as it should be, without you having to pay for services that you don’t need, whilst knowing that you and your loved one are being cared for by dedicated, caring, professionals, who have the best interests of you and the environment at heart.

The Service provided is by experienced colleagues, passionate for doing the right thing. Nina and Christopher, two of our small but caring team, have nearly 70 years of experience in funeral service. Along with Cara they provide truly personal services, whatever the style of service you require. There are no different levels of service based on cost. Our services include meeting you in your own home if you wish, as we understand that this is where you are most comfortable. We also only conduct one full service a day, ensuring you have as much time as you wish to say goodbye. This also allows time for picnics in the summer and refreshments under cover at other times. Tea, Coffee, and Squash, is provided free of charge, and music via blue-tooth speakers can be arranged.

The document Saying a Personal Goodbye also provides ideas as to how a celebration of life or funeral service can be arranged in the most appropriate way.

As we understand that for a number of reasons you may wish to arrange a Cremation rather than a Natural Burial Personal Goodbyes also offers a range of cremation services, with three trees planted for each cremation conducted to counter the environmental damage of cremation.

Care for the deceased, the family, and the environment, is also paramount. We work in partnership with funeral directors to ensure the highest quality of care for the deceased. These partners are carefully chosen for their own dedication, and the quality of their facilities.

We remain available to you at all times. This includes ensuring the continuity of the person making the arrangements with you being your point of contact throughout the arrangements, and being present on the day of the service. We believe that building this relationship and trust is essential. It is not right to suddenly be in the hands of a stranger on one of the most difficult days of your life.

Our Environmental Responsibility is taken extremely seriously as we do everything we can to care for nature. As mentioned above, we plant three trees (a minimum of 6.5 feet / 2 Metres in height, not whips as may be offered elsewhere) for each cremation conducted. All of our coffins, caskets, and shrouds are environmentally friendly and do not have plastic handles. All of our graves are prepared traditionally by hand, and although we use grass matting material to support the appearance of the grave, all of the materials used are recycled or repurposed. Furthermore, our Natural Burial Grounds are managed to ensure nature and biodiversity thrives. The planting of trees is the ultimate natural memorial as it provides a wonderful legacy for future generations, whilst also helping to protect the planet.

Finally, The Natural Burial Company believe that providing Value is essential. Yes, we are a business, but our focus is on helping the environment and those in time of need, not on profit or “shareholder value”. We would welcome any comparison regarding our prices, which are much lower than the averages you read about in the media. We care deeply that we do the right thing, for the right reasons. This includes our pricing, with the cost of everything clearly explained and transparent.

We are proud of Personal Goodbyes and would welcome the opportunity to provide further information or send an information pack if you wish. You may contact us at any time by email [email protected] or by telephone (0116) 222 0247.

A Direct Cremation with a Natural Legacy

We understand that for many reasons you may opt for a direct cremation. Cost, simplicity, or a desire for a more personalised celebration or service after the cremation are just some of the reasons.

However, as we all become more environmentally conscious it is understandable that giving something back to nature is important. Ensuring a natural legacy is a wonderful way to achieve this.

Accordingly, we have chosen to plant three trees for each direct cremation we conduct. Typically, this would be one tree on the grave plot at time of interment of cremated remains, and two trees elsewhere at one of our natural burial grounds. If you would prefer not to have a tree on the grave all three trees can be planted together.

We also wish to ensure that the trees we plant have an immediate impact, not only regarding beauty, but also the positive impact they have on the environment. As such, trees planted are typically a minimum of 2 metres in height at time of planting (subject to species). We will also provide complimentary packs of meadow flower seeds that you can use as you wish. Many people choose to scatter some around the grave, and save some for their own garden or a favourite place.

For further information, or if we can help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact us on (0116) 222 0247 or [email protected]

Direct Cremations from The Natural Burial Company

On occasions we are asked “why does The Natural Burial Company conduct Direct Cremations?” The answer to us is simple, we wish to provide services in the most environmentally friendly way to meet the needs of the bereaved.

We understand that for many reasons people will choose to be cremated, accordingly we would be failing in our duty of care if we did not support this. Therefore, we are proud to provide direct cremation services followed by an environmentally friendly interment of cremated remains.

For each direct cremation we conduct we plant three trees, one on the grave and a further two at one of our natural burial grounds. The trees planted are typically around 2 metres in height (6 to 7 foot, although this will vary by variety), so they are immediately making a difference to the environment.

This not only ensures support for the environment, it also allows you the peace of mind of knowing that there is a beautiful natural legacy for future generations. You may also visit the burial ground whenever you wish, remembering your loved one whilst being at one with a beautiful, natural environment.

The advantages of direct cremation are well known, simple, cost-effective, and allowing a celebration or service to be conducted with the ashes at a later date (for example in the Spring or Summer, when everyone in the family is available, to arrange a picnic at the interment). The Direct Cremation with Natural Interment of Cremated Remains allows this cremation service, whilst ensuring that our dedicated team are supporting you at every step.

For more information regarding services provided by The Natural Burial Company please ring (0116) 222 0247 or 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.