Christmas and New Year Remembrance

In common with previous years, we will be relaxing our regulations throughout the festive period to allow tasteful, personalisation of graves using natural materials.

Between Sunday 10th December 2023 and Monday 8th January 2024, graves may be decorated, subject to items being appropriate to a natural burial ground and respectful to all within our care.

Please do not place items of sentimental or financial value on graves as The Natural Burial Company cannot be held responsible for damaged or lost items.

After 8th January 2024 any items remaining will be removed.  Therefore, please remove items from the grave before this date if you wish to keep them for future use.

Thank you for your help in maintaining the natural and environmental integrity of the natural burial ground.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Official Opening of The Orchards at Prestwold Natural Burial Ground

The official opening of the Orchards at Prestwold Natural Burial Ground will be conducted by The Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes this coming Saturday, 9th September 2023.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event which will be accompanied by an open day between 12.00pm and 3.00pm. The opening ceremony will be at 1.00pm.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day and the Natural Burial Company team will be available to answer questions regarding natural burial, green funerals, and The Orchards.

It is the intention of The Natural Burial Company to ensure that The Orchards is developed to ensure the maximum possible benefit to the environment and the community. Accordingly, partnerships are being developed with community groups, and a sensory area is being prepared to provide sensory stimulation and many other benefits to many within society.

If you wish to visit The Orchards but are unable to attend on Saturday, or would like further information please email and our team would be happy to help.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

A Celebration of Life

The ways in which we say goodbye to loved ones are becoming more personal. With a greater awareness of environmental issues, fewer religious services, and a greater desire for more personalised goodbyes, celebrations of life are growing in popularity. Full burial services, and natural interments of cremated remains after direct cremations are now regularly arranged.

At The Natural Burial Company our passion is to provide a totally personalised service to meet your needs, in line with our ethos of caring for the bereaved, the environment, and keeping prices low.

At each natural burial ground only one full burial a day is conducted, which allows as much time as you wish for the celebration or service. This time can be used for a picnic, listening to music, or simply spending time remembering your loved one. The Natural Burial Company can provide shelters, chairs, simple refreshments, and a quality Bluetooth speaker. We can also help to prepare the celebration or service, and act as master of ceremonies if you wish. A list of exceptional celebrants is also available to help conduct the service and we also work with all local ministers of religion and officiants. Key to everything, is ensuring that the goodbye is exactly as you wish it to be.

You do not have to have a traditional hearse and a discreet vehicle is used by most families. Although we are also able to provide Horse Drawn, Motorcycle, or other hearses. An Electric Hearse can also be supplied.

There are now a large selection of environmentally friendly coffins, caskets and shrouds available. From Cardboard to Bamboo, Willow, Banana Leaf and Pandanus. Likewise, Ashes Caskets are available in a large of beautiful environmentally friendly materials. Our supplier has the same ethics as us, and are a Guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

Direct Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular option, allowing cost savings and for a celebration or service to be conducted at the natural burial ground on a day and time convenient to all who wish to attend. This could be on a special day such as an anniversary, or you can simply wait for warmer weather in order to allow a picnic if the death occurred in winter.

However you wish to celebrate the life of a loved one our team are here to help. We can provide advice, support and guidance to ensure everything is as you wish it to be. We can be contacted on (0116) 222 0247 or email

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Proud to Serve

As we continue to work hard to serve the community and the environment, we are humbled to receive thanks from so many people. Our passion is to help and to make a difference at the most difficult time in the lives of those we serve. When we receive thanks it empowers us as we know we have succeeded in this end.

Therefore, when we recently received the following Google review from Nathaniel we were truly honoured.

“Words cannot express how incredible the team are at NBC. They handled my parents burials and services, and from top to bottom were an absolute joy to liaise with, remaining sensitive at all times incredibly personal and supportive. After trusting them with this deeply painful but extremely important life experience, I shall never look back and it almost totally erases the conventional “funeral” companies from all of existence. Once you go the natural way, and with this company, you will never regret it. Best decision I ever made was dialling that phone number. Many thanks to Chris, Nina and the whole team, and of course Awen, the fantastic celebrant who now works independently but can be requested, I advise you to also do the same here. Thank you all beyond words”

Nina, Rachel, Christopher and all of the team at The Natural Burial Company will continue to do everything they can to support the bereaved and the environment, and to help fight funeral poverty. Our reward is helping you, but to Nathaniel and everyone who takes the time to express thanks to us at such a difficult time in their lives, we sincerely thank you in return. It is our honour to serve you.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Our New Natural Burial Ground, The Orchards at Prestwold

We are pleased to announce that our new natural burial ground, The Orchards at Prestwold, is now available for full burials and interments of cremated remains. Situated close to Loughborough, the natural burial ground is easily accessible from Charnwood, Leicester, Nottingham and throughout the Midlands. In fact, as there are no additional fees for non-residents anyone can purchase a plot at The Orchards.

This new natural burial ground is being lovingly developed to ensure a beautiful resting place, ensuring a natural legacy for those in its care, and a tranquil place to visit and remember. All burials will be conducted ensuring care for the environment, nature and biodiversity.

Trees are currently being planted to encourage wildlife and a sensory area is also being developed for nature and visitors alike. Burial plots may be selected in advance, and a tree planted for a natural legacy. Alternatively, meadow plots can also be chosen, ensuring beautiful views of the countryside.

The Orchards will ensure sufficient space is available for natural burial for decades to come, allowing plots to be selected and paid for many years in advance.

Full services can also be conducted at The Orchards, with Shelters, Chairs and music provided. The Natural Burial Company can also supply refreshments if required, or you can bring your own picnic to celebrate the life of your loved one. Only one service is conducted a day, so there are no time constraints.

For further information, or to arrange to visit The Orchards, please email info@thenaturalburialcompany or telephone us on (0116) 222 0247.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Christmas and New Year Remembrance

We understand that many people wish to temporarily decorate the graves of loved ones during the festive period, therefore, we will once again be relaxing our regulations during this time, to allow tasteful personalisation of graves using natural materials.

Between Saturday 10th December 2022 and Sunday 8th January 2023, graves may be decorated, subject to items being appropriate to a natural burial ground and respectful to all within our care.

We ask that you do not place items of sentimental or financial value as The Natural Burial Company cannot be held responsible for damaged or lost items.

After 8th January 2023 any items remaining will be removed. Therefore, please remove items from graves before this date if you wish to keep them for future use.

All of our burial grounds will be open to visitors throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Please remember though that conditions under foot and in car-parks may be slippery and uneven. Please stay safe and warm.

Throughout this period our team remain available to help and support everyone.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

The Great Big Green Week – Working Together, Making a Difference

Caring for the environment is key to everything we do.  Therefore, we are very proud to have joined The Great Big Green Week which will be taking place countrywide in September.

At each of our burial grounds, Prestwold (near Loughborough), Scraptoft (Leicester) and Wrottesley Park (Wolverhampton), we will be holding an event to raise awareness of environmentally friendly funeral services, whilst also supporting local green community groups.

And we are inviting companies, groups and individuals to join us at these events so we can all make a difference.

Funeral Directors, Florists, Celebrants and Suppliers – Do you provide environmentally friendly services?  If so, why not join us?  We want to help people to be aware of the choices they  have for ensuring a green send off for themselves or their loved ones.

Community Groups – Are you an organiser for, or a member of, a community group with an environmental focus?  We would love to have you at your local event.

Local Walking Groups – We wish to arrange a walk at each of our events.  Would your group like to lead this walk?

Wildlife Groups – It would be great to have you attend to promote your work.

Have we missed you out? – If you are interested in supporting The Great Big Green Week and have something to offer but don’t fit into the above, no problem.  We would love to talk to you about what you can offer.

For further information or to express an interest please contact Christopher by email at   It would be great to have a broad section of bereavement service and community groups present.  And of course, everyone is invited to attend.

Further details regarding events nationwide can be found www.greatbiggreenweek.com

Together we can make a difference.  Thank you.

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

The Advantages of Direct Natural Burial

Providing beautiful, environmentally friendly, cost effective burial services in a peaceful woodland or meadow setting.

In recent years there has been an increase in direct cremations, initially due to high profile funerals such as that of David Bowie.  More recently the covid crisis has necessitated this option for many in society.  The advantages of such a service are clear, the cost is much below that of a traditional funeral and greater emphasis can be placed on what may be seen as more appropriate ways to remember and celebrate a life.  Especially for those who are not religious.

However, it is not well known that direct natural burial is also available.  This allows the cost and simplicity advantages of direct cremation whilst also ensuring the greatest possible care for nature and the environment.  This also allows the opportunity for family and friends to visit a beautiful area of peace and tranquility to remember their loved one.

So what is a direct natural burial?  Put simply, the burial is conducted with the usual care and respect at one of our natural burial grounds, but without a service and with no mourners present.  The Natural Burial Company would choose the grave plot and this would remain unmarked.  The family would be aware of the burial ground, but would not be informed of the exact location of the plot.  However, a memorial tree and/or plaque may be purchased and be placed in our memorial area.  The grave plot may also be purchased at a later date, this would then allow for the grave to be identified and memorials to be placed on the grave if you wish.

As the service is simplified and the grave is not identified the cost is significantly less than for a standard burial plot.  This allows for funds to be available for a celebration, memorial service or other activity in remembrance.  As with all of our services we ensure that our care for the deceased, the bereaved and the environment is total.

A direct burial plot with gravedigging and administration fees is £780 at our Prestwold and Scraptoft Natural Burial Grounds and £850 at our Wrottesley Park Natural Burial Ground.  Additional charges will be made by your funeral director for other items such as the coffin, transport and their professional services.

For further information regarding direct natural burial please don’t hesitate to contact The Natural Burial Company or your funeral director.  We are here at all times to help you care for the environment, save money and ensure a beautiful natural legacy.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Planning for your funeral

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an increase in people thinking about their own funeral.  More and more people are planning their funeral service to ensure their wishes are met. This process can be extremely positive and comforting, whilst also reducing the burden for those left behind of trying to make the correct choices whilst grieving.

All of our burial plots can be chosen and paid for in advance. Be it woodland burial, interment of ashes, or choosing plots for all of the family.  Our team are available to meet you at the burial ground, answer your questions and help explain the options available.  The plot(s) can then be selected and paid for at todays price. Once paid the plot is secured, no matter how much the price of a plot increases in the future.

Our team can also help you to plan the details of your funeral service.  Once again, this can remove worry for your loved ones and will ensure that your goodbye is exactly as you wish it to be – an elaborate traditional service, a themed funeral or the most simple of direct burials and everyone invited to the pub to toast your memory.  We can help you to prepare a statement of wishes which can then be kept with your personal documents.  We do not charge for this service.

There are many aspects that you may wish to consider:

  • Vehicles – An Electric, Horse Drawn or Motorcycle Hearse.  Or even a VW Camper Van or Morris Minor.  It may be that you wouldn’t want a hearse at all.  Many people travel to their final resting place in a family or friends estate vehicle.
  • Shroud, Coffin or Casket – There are so many environmentally friendly coffins and caskets.  Cardboard, Bamboo and Willow are just a few of the options available.  Shroud burials are also popular.

Willow Pod Coffin

  • Music – Traditional hymns and songs can be sung. But also personal favorites can be played, pop, rock, reggae or classical.  What matters is what is important to you.  Recent services have included music by Queen, Status Quo, Bryan Adams and a 60’s mix.  Also theme tunes to well known TV shows and films.  We have blue tooth speakers so recorded music can be played.  Live music can also feature and can be especially personal if it is family or friends playing the instruments.

Harriet Flather, Harpist

  • Themed Services – If something has always been important to you in life, it’s appropriate that this passion is also key to your goodbye.  It can be as simple as everyone wearing a particular colour, or can be as specific and special as you wish.
  • Simple Burial – You do not have to have a service at all.  A direct burial is simple and cost effective.  What you may consider to be a more appropriate goodbye can then be arranged.  A meal or event for family and friends, or maybe a pub night for all to remember the good times?
  • Caring for the Environment – Having a tree planted on your grave will ensure a wonderful, natural legacy.  Also bird boxes or nature homes can help make a difference and encourage nature.  A wonderful parting gift for the natural world and future generations.

You can also pay for all aspects of your final goodbye with a pre-payment funeral plan.  Almost all funeral directors now have plans available, many of which provide excellent peace of mind.  However, please ensure that you ask plenty of questions and get a quote first in order to ensure that you are taking the right plan for you.  For example, make sure that you are not paying for items or services that would not be required.  And how environmentally friendly is the service offered (for example coffin options)?  If in doubt contact several companies or ask a friend for advice.  We are also able to help you if you wish.

Planning your funeral in advance is practical and beneficial and does provide peace of mind to many people.  We are here to help you and you are welcome to contact us at any time if you require further information.  Helping you to ensure that your final goodbye is exactly what you would wish it to be. Removing additional stress and worry from your loved ones.  And caring for the environment in death as well as life.

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park

Making a Difference and Saving Money

It is widely believed that the cost of burial is high.  For municipal cemeteries this can be true, as lack of space and other factors lead to ever spiralling prices.  However green burials are different, and beautiful, natural funerals can be arranged for a fraction of the cost.

At The Natural Burial Company we have been looking into burial prices in our local areas and have been surprised by our findings.  A green funeral at a natural burial ground is by far the most environmentally friendly funeral service available. However, as well as helping to care for nature and protect our future, natural burial will also save you money.

So to help you make informed choices we have listed below prices for each of our burial grounds compared to the local city/town cemetery.  To keep things simple we have compared full burials only.  Although similar comparative savings are available when considering cremated remains burials and memorial options.

Leicester

At our Scraptoft natural burial ground on the outskirts of Leicester a full burial plot is £750.  The interment fee (gravedigging and administration) is £435.  Therefore, the total cost of a new grave with interment is £1,185.

Compare this to the costs of a lawn grave at Leicester of £1,300 for the plot, and interment fees of £745 (total £2,045) for a resident of Leicester.  Fees for non-residents of Leicester are doubled (total £4,090).  A permit to erect a memorial adds a further £200.00

At Scraptoft, as at all of our burial grounds, you can also choose your plot and there are no additional charges, wherever you live.

Wolverhampton

Our Wrottesley Park natural burial ground close to Wolverhampton has larger overhead costs, hence is slightly more expensive than our other burial grounds.  However, whilst the plot cost of £890 and interment fees of £435 total £1,325 this is much less than the local cemetery at Danescourt.

The exclusive rights for a private plot at Danescourt costs £1,980, interment fees are £1,040 (total £3,020).  For a non-resident of Wolverhampton a 50% surcharge is added, making the total £4,530.  A memorial permit for a headstone adds £150.

There is a natural burial area at Bushbury, plots here are charged at £1,010 (add 50% surcharge for non-resident), the interment fee of £690 makes the total cost £1,700.

You can purchase a plot in advance, however an additional £150 is added for this.  No charge is made by The Natural Burial Company for choosing and purchasing a plot in advance.

Loughborough

Prestwold Natural Burial Ground near Loughborough was one of the very first natural burial grounds in the midlands, opening in 1999.  As such there are many areas and options available.  However, the vast majority of plots are priced as Scraptoft, £750 for the grave and £435 interment fees (total £1,185).

For a standard burial the local Loughborough cemetery charges £740 for a traditional grave and £498 interment (total £1,238).  A lawn grave option is available for a total for a Loughborough resident of £1,065.  Once the memorial permit cost (£158) is added, this then totals £1,223.  The memorial permit charge is also applicable for traditional graves.

As with many other cemetery authorities though, Loughborough charge additional costs for non-residents of the town.  A resident of Charnwood would need to pay double fees and one who resides outside of Charnwood would pay triple.  There is also no option at present to purchase plots in advance.

We provide this information to help you to make informed choices.  In a world where funeral poverty is real and value for money is so important for all, we believe that it is only fair that the public are aware of the options available. Everyone can make a real difference to the environment and leave a beautiful, natural legacy for future generations whilst saving money.

Note: All prices sourced from the relevant local authority websites on 9th June 2020.  We will gladly amend any pricing above if notified of change.

 

Natural Burial Locations

Prestwold
Scraptoft
Wrottesley Park