Green burial

We have a some special areas in Haycombe which are set aside for green burials. These differ from a traditional grave, in that a tree is planted over the grave, in place of a headstone. A simple plaque is mounted on a wooden stake in front of the tree, allowing the name and a short message in tribute.

For environmental reasons only one full burial can be accommodated in each grave, although ashes can be added if desired. Due to the natural ethos surrounding this area there are a small number of requirements made, such as the use of a coffin constructed of natural materials.

The current area set aside for green burials is named the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Woodland. It is situated in the Northwest of the cemetery, overlooking the beautiful surrounding countryside. The view is stunning, and reaches as far as the Welsh Hills on a clear day.

Once at a suitable level of maturity we allow the grass around the saplings in this section to grow long through the year. As a result, the area is abundant in local wildlife, with a natural and informal feel. After the annual grass cut, we remove all cuttings, to encourage the growth of wild flowers, as part of our commitment to minimising the environmental impact of our work at Haycombe.

Within the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Woodland there are also trees dedicated to the interment of ashes. Each tree can accommodate two sets of ashes, with plaques supplied in memorial.

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