Eco conscious baby boomers opt for natural burials

The Telegraph reported last week that natural burials are becoming more popular as the more eco conscious baby boomers start to think about death. According to the Ministry of Justice more than 220 woodland cemeteries have been established in Britain in the last 16 years and are increasingly seen as an alternative to cremation or burial in a municipal churchyard. And the reason for this? People born between 1946 and 1964 are generally recognised as the first major generational group to take environmental issues seriously on a wide scale and they are now at the stage of life when they lose their parents or partners or plan their own funerals.

So what is a natural burial? The goal of a natural burial is to return the body to the earth in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition and allows the body to recycle naturally. It is intended as an environmentally sustainable alternative to existing funeral practices which often involve the use of formaldehyde in embalming, stone for memorials or scarce wood in coffins.

Natural burial grounds are cemeteries managed along ecologically-sound principles to create informal, nature-rich sites. Often there are no traditional headstones; instead graves might be planted with a tree or wild flowers to create a natural memorial. Generally, burial sites welcome any religion or belief. with individual graves being consecrated as desired.

I wonder whether it is just the eco credentials which are making these sites popular. Owners of these sites claim that the simple, natural surroundings of the burial grounds help with the grieving process and it is easy to imagine how leaving your loved one in such a place might make the process more bearable. Another choice to consider rather than the usual – cremation or burial?

Post script : Following this posting, I have been asked for further information. A good place to start is The Natural Death Centre

http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/