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      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
        • Menopause Wellness Retreat
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Soundbath Evening
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop:Herbal Bathroom Day
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
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    • Contact the Education Team
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THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
  • About Us
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us
    • Awards
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partner Organisations
    • ​Leave a Review
  • Whats On
    • Much Ado About Nothing
    • Summer Solstice Walk
    • Folk in the Forest
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Event Refund Policy
  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Forager's Backpack
        • Willow Weaving Weekend
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Peony Plant Support Course
        • Willow Garden Obelisk Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Living Willow Tree Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
        • Menopause Wellness Retreat
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Soundbath Evening
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop:Herbal Bathroom Day
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
    • Donations
  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
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    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List

NATURAL BURIAL SITE 

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INFORMATION PACK
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fees
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FLOWERS & PLANTING
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ATTENDING A FUNERAL
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LEGACIES & GIFTS
Nestling under a canopy of broadleaf trees and a yew grove, our natural burial site lies in a peaceful and secluded corner of The Sustainability Centre.
​Our burial site is bordered on three sides by woodland, creating a true sense of intimacy and privacy. Part of the South Downs National Park, the south side overlooks a 50-acre sheep pasture and, on a clear day, gives breath-taking views across Hampshire down to the coast. Many families have found great comfort here, laying their loved ones to rest with natural and simple dignity.

​In keeping with our ethos, each grave is dug especially by hand to minimise any impact on the flora, fauna and tranquility of the site. 
​Coffins and shrouds are made from fully biodegradable materials. No permanent headstones or grave-markings are used here (again, to protect the natural surroundings) but families are most welcome to plant native wild flowers. 

For the burial itself, the coffin is conveyed through the grounds using a hand-drawn bier, or a horse-drawn cart. We also offer a room in which services are held, and can arrange hospitality.

Naturally, the location of each grave is meticulously plotted and recorded, and families are provided with a map. 

Like The Sustainability Centre, the burial site is owned by the charity Earthworks Trust.
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FIND OUT MORE & BOOK
AWARDED 
BEST NATURAL BURIAL SITE
UK 2022

​
​The Natural Death Centre and Association of Natural Burial Grounds has just awarded The Sustainability Centre with ' Best Natural Burial Site' UK overall winner!

This is fantastic news and is so well deserved by our hard working burials team including our Burials Manager Al Blake, his assistant and our award winning grave diggers.
Thank you so much for sending the map of the resting place of both my mother and brother.

There were quite a few guests at the funeral had never experienced a natural burial and all of them said it had been a profound experience for them and made them rethink the limitations of the traditional funeral. 

​Just as I was leaving one woman beamed at me and said it was the 'weirdest funeral' she had ever been to but also the greatest!
​
CHILDREN AT PLAY
Please be aware The Sustainability Centre's primary role is as an outdoor Education Centre. All of our enterprise activities are in place to support our education programmes. School groups visit daily and at times, you will hear children playing and learning in the grounds. We do our best to manage groups in a sensitive way and avoid incompatible groups meeting, but this is sometimes unavoidable.

​
CREMATED REMAINS
We do not accept cremated remains to be scattered or buried anywhere on the site.
MANAGER
Al Blake

​South Downs Natural Burial Site
The Sustainability Centre
Droxford Road
East Meon
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 1HR

PHONE
01730 823425

EMAIL
[email protected]

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9.30am - 4.30pm
​APPOINTMENTS
To arrange a burial please make an appointment to avoid a wasted journey. 
​
VISITS
Informal visits are welcome at any time as the site is open, however staff are only available by appointment. 


AWARD
Winner of the People’s Award for the Best Natural Burial Ground in the UK 2013 and 2022

ASSOCIATION
A Member of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds

CHARITY 
The South Downs Natural Burials Site is owned by the Earthworks Trust

​
Charity No. 1079866
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT  â€‹
naTURAL BURIALS
hOW TO FIND US
DONATIONS
HEALTH AND SAFETY DISCLAIMER
When visiting our site please take appropriate care, some areas have uneven surfaces with trip hazards associated with the great outdoors - conditions can be slippery in wet weather. Please ensure that you dress for the outdoors and bring footwear suitable for all types of weather. The Sustainability Centre will not accept responsibility for any injuries sustained by visitors.  
​EARTHWORKS TRUST  ​
The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No. 1079866).
EARTHWORKS FOUNDATION
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation.
​All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.




​Charity Number ​

​​1079866
​


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Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR

Reception

01730 823166
​[email protected]

Cafe

01730 823755
[email protected]  

South Downs Eco Lodge ​& Camp Site

01730 823549
[email protected]

Burials

​01730 823425
​[email protected]

Education

​[email protected]

Courses

​[email protected]

Join Mailing List

Leave Mailing List

WEB SITE DATA

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Find Us

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Support Us

  • About Us
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us
    • Awards
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partner Organisations
    • ​Leave a Review
  • Whats On
    • Much Ado About Nothing
    • Summer Solstice Walk
    • Folk in the Forest
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Event Refund Policy
  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Forager's Backpack
        • Willow Weaving Weekend
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Peony Plant Support Course
        • Willow Garden Obelisk Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Living Willow Tree Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
        • Menopause Wellness Retreat
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Soundbath Evening
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop:Herbal Bathroom Day
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Natural Cleaning Workshop
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
        • Compost Toilets Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Taster Day
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
    • Donations
  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Beech Cafe
    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List