Natural Burials 
​Information Pack

​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, near East Meon in Hampshire. It 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 breathtaking views across Hampshire Downs 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 tranquillity of the site. Coffins and shrouds are made from fully biodegradable materials. No grave-markings or headstones are used here (again, to protect the natural surroundings) but families are most welcome to plant native wild flowers. Naturally, the location of each grave is meticulously plotted and recorded, and families are provided with a map.

For the burial itself, the coffin is conveyed through the grounds using a hand-drawn bier, or a horse-drawn cart. We also offer rooms in which services can be held, and we can arrange hospitality. However, these rooms are not always available.
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Our natural burial ground is managed with ecological principles in mind. The woodland is managed to restore broadleaf woodland and coppice, to ensure a rich bio-diversity, encouraging wildlife including owls, badgers, raptors and stoats.

"A beautiful, peaceful place which is well managed by people who care about the ethos of the place, but also those buried there. I really can't think of how it could be improved."
Genevieve
​Viewing the Site
Please make an appointment to view the site and talk through all of the arrangements by contacting the Burial Site Manager via email or telephone. If you or a member of your party is unable to manage the walk to the burial site, there is a four wheel drive car which will be made available to convey you there.
 
Appointments
If you wish to see a member of staff on any subsequent visits please make an appointment to avoid disappointment and a wasted journey especially if you require the use of the 4x4.
 
Services
We are not able to provide a full Funeral Director Service but are able to work alongside your chosen funeral provider.
Those families who choose to carry out the whole or part of the funeral themselves are supported by our experienced and capable team both beforehand and on the day.
 
Step By Step Guide
  1. Book an appointment to see a member of staff.
  2. View the site and select a plot location.
  3. Decide on the role you would like the Funeral Director or Undertaker to perform.
  4. Decide how involved you would like your family and friends to be with the procedure.
  5. Arrange a date for the funeral.
  6. Decide if you would like to use our service rooms and check availability to suit your own dates.
  7. Decide who you would like to conduct a service, or whether a family member feels comfortable leading the proceedings.
  8. Decide on the method of transport to the graveside, e.g. by hand-bier or horse-drawn cart.

The Funeral Director or Undertaker
These are skilled professionals who are available to make this difficult time easier for you. They have the experience that will allow them to offer you valuable advice.
 
If you are not planning to use a Funeral Director/Undertaker, but are conducting the procedure yourself, please let us know so that we can support you and make you aware of all aspects involved.
 
The Service
We welcome people of all beliefs and none. We offer a very personal touch enabling you to choose the most appropriate way of conducting a service. Many people use a representative of their religion, but you could also use a non-religious celebrant or a family member. We can provide contacts and advice.
 
Room Hire
The Sustainability Centre has rooms which can be hired for services and catering if they are available. Some families have a service elsewhere before they come for the committal; other families prefer to hold the service at the graveside.
 
Coffins
As an eco-friendly burial site, we only accept bio-degradable non toxic coffins.  There are many types of eco-coffin available. 
 
Traditional, solid wood coffins welcomed, as long as they are not made of or veneered with tropical hardwoods. Untreated native oak and pine are fine. Woven willow and bamboo are preferred. There are also coffins made with sea-grass, banana leaf and water hyacinth. However, when making your choice you may like to consider that many of these have travelled great distances adding to their carbon footprint. Cardboard is very popular and inexpensive, and there are a variety of designs are available. Some families choose not to use a coffin at all in these cases we are happy to accept bio-degradable body bags or shrouds. We do allow grave-goods as long as they are made from natural materials.
 
In support of our ethos MDF is prohibited and we do not permit non-degradable linings and fittings. We do not allow embalming.

Graves
As we intend that the woodland naturalises over time we do not preserve the identity of individual graves, and we do not allow grave markers.  This does mean that the individual graves become harder to locate over time. However a plan of the cemetery showing plot locations is supplied to each family and is also available to view during normal office hours.
 
Flowers
In keeping with our ethos, we recommend that you ask attending mourners to remove plastic from floral tributes. We also ask that any funeral tributes are constructed using natural products and not formed with oasis and plastic trays as this creates a considerable disposal problem. Tributes containing oasis will be removed immediately and you may be asked to take it home with you. Cut flowers may be placed on the grave at any time but will be removed after a reasonable period.
 
Planting of appropriate wild flowers is encouraged as part of our woodland restoration practice, but these must conform to the list of species provided. This is necessary to prevent cross-pollination and the irreversible contamination of our native species.  The planting of shrubs and trees is not permitted. The woodland restoration is undertaken by our staff to fulfil a long-term management plan for the area as a whole.
 
Pre-purchase Plots
Reservation of a plot, by a partner or family member may be made at the time of burial by purchasing a double depth plot. These reserved plots will be available for a maximum of 30 years and may not be transferred. Application can be made to extend this time period if required after the initial period is elapsed.

​Charges

​​Woodland Management and Tree Planting

Our Natural Burial Site was a conifer and beech plantation planted about 40 years ago by the Royal Navy. The woodland had never been managed so the trees have failed to thrive.
 
As part of our woodland restoration and management we are now felling most of the conifer and replanting with species that belong on the South Downs. The re-stocked woodland will consist of native species that may eventually be coppiced and
harvested for rural industry and wood fuel.

​This ‘working woodland’ will dramatically extend the life of the trees and shrub-layer species. This, in turn will enhance the opportunities for wildlife. Tree planning will planted in the winter months, when the young tree has the best chance of survival.
 
Not all plots will have a tree planted. This may be because the plot is already under an existing tree or in an area where a tree would be inappropriate, or the plot is not yet fully occupied.

Planting Flowers

There are a wide variety of wildflowers and native bulbs that are suitable for this habitat and may be planted. Only species that are native to the South Downs are permitted.
  
Nature is wonderful and will naturally re-colonise the site given time, so if you can be patient and allow natural regeneration it will provide the most suitable plants for this location. ​ 

All species which are not native to the South Downs are removed. This is to prevent cross-pollination and the irreversible contamination of our wild, native species. The most common plants that need to be removed are Spanish Bluebells and Primula or Polyanthus. 
 
If you wish to plant flowers in graves we strongly recommend Naturescape.
They are a mail order nursery who always supply the correct species from our list.

Naturescape
PHONE
01949 860592
permissable_plant_list_burials_ground.pdf
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Regulations

The South Downs Natural Burial Site is owned and managed by the ​Earthworks Trust and these regulations have been developed to enable The Trust to shape and preserve a natural area for the benefit of nature and for future generations. It is essential to combine a proper respect for the dead with a suitable and sensitive management and planting program. We aim to create an area which is peaceful, ecologically rich and a fitting memorial to those who rest there.

Management of the Burial Site
Please be aware that if a burial is taking place near your plot, it may be necessary for us to construct boarding over your plot to manage the spoil. This is done in a sensitive way to protect plant species and the area is returned to its natural state as soon as possible. We apologise for any distress or inconvenience caused.
 
In order to maintain and manage a natural burial ground to the high standards expected by the Earthworks Trust and our clients we have drawn up a set of regulations. These clearly set out our expectations and reflect our ethos.
General Care and Behaviour
  1. The purchase of a burial plot is for the right of burial in that plot only and does not confer ownership of the ground or any other rights.
  2. No body shall be buried unless the death has been registered and the correct documentation has been supplied.
  3. No cremated remains shall be buried without the permission of the manager. The scattering of ashes is NOT permitted under any circumstances.
  4. No body shall be removed from any grave without a license from the Secretary of State under section 25 of the burial act 1857.

Wild Plants and Their Management
  1. No seed may be scattered on the site unless approved by the manager. (Many wild seed mixes contain inappropriate species).
  2. Picking of flowers or shrubs or the unauthorised planting of such is prohibited.
  3. No naturally regenerating seedlings apart from bramble, thistle and clematis may be weeded from the plots.
  4. There must be no activity which prevents the regeneration of the natural landscape.
  5. The introduction of composts, fertilizers, mulch or anything that will prevent the regeneration of the natural landscape is not permitted.
  6. Construction or maintenance of ‘flower beds’ is not permitted.
  7. Any unapproved species that are planted will be removed.
  8. A list of approved species is available from the burial site manager. The site is regularly monitored by staff, Trustees and Directors. Please restrict your planting to within your own plot and avoid digging under the base of trees.
  9. INAPPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND NON-NATIVE PLANTS WILL BE REMOVED WITHOUT WARNING OR QUESTION. ​

Behaviour
  1. Children must be supervised at all times.
  2. Visitors must not disturb the wildlife or remove any material from the site.
  3. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
  4. All visitors should behave in appropriate manner and refrain from disturbing the peace or causing upset or nuisance.
  5. No shooting or hunting is permitted by unauthorised persons
  6. Litter bins are not provided as we expect visitors to take their rubbish home with them. This includes ribbons & plastic.
  7. The erection of kerbs, name-plates & grave markers is prohibited. This includes chalk & sticks.
  8. The management will remove any object placed in the cemetery that is deemed to be inappropriate to the purpose of the Natural Burial Site. The management reserves the right to carry out any remedial work.
  9. No bird-boxes, seats or other memorial objects may be placed within the burial site without permission from the manager.
  10. There is no vehicle access to the burial site. There is a site vehicle to convey mourners and visitors but this must be booked by appointment.
  11. All excavations of graves and other works are carried out by an employee of the Trust or someone approved by them. It is possible for families to dig/backfill a grave themselves under the supervision of the Trust.
  12. Carving, marking or chalking on to trees pathways, stones and benches is prohibited.
South Downs Natural Burial Site
The Sustainability Centre
Droxford Road
East Meon
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 1HR

PHONE
01730 823425
07799065976

EMAIL
burials@sustainability-centre.org

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9.30am - 4.30pm

MANAGER
Al Blake

ASSISTANT MANAGER
Adam Little

APPOINTMENTS
Please make an appointment to avoid a wasted journey. 
​Informal visits are welcome at any time. 

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

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


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