A Meaningful Direct Cremation

Whilst Direct Cremation offers numerous advantages, such as cost and simplicity, it has been rightfully noted that an unattended cremation may not allow the opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one. We share this concern and would never wish for anyone to have regrets. That’s why we always provide Direct Cremation services followed by a memorial service or celebration of life at our natural burial grounds.

A Direct Cremation can be arranged with The Natural Burial Company and we will then conduct an interment of the cremated remains at the natural burial ground on a day and time convenient to you. This interment can be conducted with tributes, music, and readings. In fact everything that you would want to ensure a truly personalised goodbye. This can also include having a picnic at the natural burial ground if you wish. Many find this a relaxed and rewarding way to share stories and memories with family and friends. Furthermore, we have no time constraints at our natural burial grounds, so you don’t have to worry about being moved on to accommodate another service.

Furthermore, to ensure a natural legacy all of our Direct Cremation services include an interment at the natural burial ground, with three trees planted for each service conducted – one on the grave and two on another area of a natural burial ground.

We can provide shelters, chairs, quality blue-tooth speakers and refreshments. Our team prepare everything and remain present at all times, but you can also conduct everything, including the interment of your loved one and the planting of the tree on the plot, yourselves.

The Natural Burial Company team care deeply for the bereaved and the environment, and we will always do what we can to ensure a meaningful, personal goodbye. Further details are available here Direct Cremation – Direct Natural Funerals (funeralsdirect.co.uk) alternatively, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or on (0116) 222 0247.

Survey shows public demand for greener funerals

A survey, conducted by The Natural Burial Company, has provided clear evidence of public demand for greener funerals, and for more information to be available regarding environmentally friendly funeral options.

Many people are looking to be more environmentally friendly in their lives. However, there has previously been little research regarding demand for green and environmentally friendly funerals. Therefore, The Natural Burial Company conducted a public survey between July and September, the results of which are clear.

The conclusions of the survey are simple. Many want a greater choice of greener options and transparency in information available. More information, and availability of green funeral options is essential. Allowing the bereaved an “Informed Choice” is key.

The survey asked 20 questions, with the opportunity to provide additional information regarding personal attitudes and opinions on green funerals.

Key findings from the survey are as follows.

73% of respondents stated that they would prefer to use the services of a funeral company that worked to strong environmental standards. A further 25% stated that they probably would.

98% of respondents believed that funeral service providers should have information readily available regarding green products and services. 67% thought this should be mandatory.

When asked “what would stop you from arranging an environmentally friendly funeral” 67% stated availability of services, 41% cost and 22% lack of knowledge/awareness.

Knowledge of the cost of greener funerals also clearly illustrates confusion amongst the public. 44% believed a green funeral to be more expensive and 25% less expensive than a traditional funeral service.

Regarding planning of their own funeral service, 56% have made no specific arrangements but stated that they want their funeral to be green.

When asked specific questions, 84% stated that they would select a coffin with “green” handles such as wood or rope, rather than the industry standard coloured plastic options. A further 5% answered that they would, dependent on cost.

This attitude also encompasses other related services. 83% said that they did not want floral tributes wrapped in plastic, and 75% would prefer not to have tributes in plastic trays or using florist foam/oasis.

Christopher Doggett, Managing Director of The Natural Burial Company said “It is clear that many wish for greener funerals, and want a greater understanding of what is available to them in time of need. Having a range of greener services and ensuring transparency regarding available options is so important”.

The Natural Burial Company will be conducting a similar survey in the summer of 2024 to gauge changes in demand and awareness.

For further information, including the full survey results, please contact Christopher at [email protected]

With thanks to Lili, The Countryside Celebrant, and Rachel for the photograph.

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 – 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]

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.

Caring for the Environment and the Bereaved

Many people are understanding the benefits of direct cremation. A more secular society, financial constraints, and the desire for more personal celebrations of life are some of the many reasons this service is requested. However, it is also true that some are concerned with the environmental disadvantages of cremation.

Therefore, we believe it appropriate to provide a quality low cost direct service, whilst also ensuring care for the environment. We provide this in three ways.

Our direct cremation service also includes an interment of the cremated remains at one of our natural burial grounds. This can involve a full celebration of life with music, a picnic, or whatever is most appropriate for your loved one. What’s more, three trees are planted for each direct cremation, one with the cremated remains and two others at the natural burial ground. This ensures we help give back to the environment, as well as ensuring a beautiful natural legacy.

We also provide a direct natural burial service. The service is unattended but allows a beautiful place to visit and the knowledge that your loved one is resting with nature.

For those who require a more traditional burial service we also provide our Family Led burial services, providing a caring, complete funeral service or celebration of life at the natural burial ground. As our passion is to do our best to support the bereaved we provide these services at reasonable cost. We strongly believe that at such a difficult time, having to worry about funeral costs is a further concern that creates additional stress.

You are welcome to contact our team at any time for further details on how we look to support the environment and care for the bereaved in everything that we do.

Our Team, Caring for Your Loved Ones

Many direct funeral services are managed by online providers subcontracting services. In such instances standards of personal care and service may not be to the exceptional personal standards that would be experienced when arranging a traditional funeral service.

The Natural Burial Company team arranging and conducting our direct services are the same as those who care for our family led burials. Therefore, you know who will be caring for your loved ones. Each of our team is experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate to help in every way possible.

Nina Brown has over 23 years experience in funeral service within the Leicestershire area. Nina’s care and desire to help and support is supplemented by her understanding of the needs of the bereaved, and her wealth of knowledge gained from many years of caring for families in their time of need.

Christopher Doggett is a Diploma qualified funeral director who is now approaching 40 years within funeral service, and is a Trustee of the Association of Green Funeral Directors. Christopher’s care and knowledge is such, that he has worked on national projects to enhance standards in funeral service, including training and education. And has worked in an advisory category for a number of funeral directors countrywide.

Rachel Doggett has worked within funeral service for over 5 years, and was honoured to be a finalist in the 2018 Good Funeral Awards in the category Most Promising Trainee Funeral Director of the Year. Rachel’s passion for the environment ensures that she continues to strive to create beautiful and nature-rich places for remembrance as well as ensuring that everything is done to ensure that a final goodbye is as personal as possible.

Our team are supplemented by a trusted group of contractors who support all services with care and dedication, maintaining the same high standards as Nina, Christopher and Rachel.

The standards of care and service are such, that The Natural Burial Company, and members of the team have on many occasions been honoured with awards. The company was honoured to receive the Best Burial Ground of the Year award in 2021, and have also been nominated as finalists in 2019 and 2022. The educational event helping the public, the Prestwold Bereavement Awareness Day, was selected as best Bereavement Awareness Event of the Year in 2019.

As can be seen, service and care is key to the team, dedicated to serving all.