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Woodland Burials
Woodland burials offer an environmentally friendly alternative to
traditional funerals at crematoria and cemeteries.
Woodland burials are becoming popular and your funeral director will
be able to tell you the location of your nearest woodland burial site.
A range of eco-friendly, biodegradable coffins are available for this type of service.
The environment of woodland burial grounds is kept as natural as possible.
Memorials and headstones are not usually permitted but often trees can be planted
to mark the grave. Your funeral director will be able to provide further information
on woodland burials and the range of eco-coffins available.
Dressing
We can dress your loved one in their own clothes, this could be their favourite item or outfit, like
a football shirt, uniform or a wedding dress. Crematoria will not allow certain items be we can
discuss this in more detail. We also have gowns which you might find a good alternative.
Visiting
We have private chapels of rest, if you would like to visit. Some people find this comforting, but
some prefer not to see the person at rest. If you like, you can put photographs or momentous in
the chapel of rest or leave items with us and we will place them in the coffin for you.
Service Stationery
Funeral stationery includes things such as order of service, attendance cards and condolence
books. It is a nice way to personalise the funeral, by adding photographs, pictures, messages,
readings, hymns or poems. If you would like us to, we can help with how it looks and with the
word, so it’s all just right. Memorial card and bookmarks can also be given out at the funeral or
after the funeral as a keepsake.
Donations
If you prefer, you can ask people not to send flowers and instead give a donation to charity or
other organisation. Online memorial services can be set up to organise this services such as “Just
Giving” can handle donation giving to over 10,000 charities registered in the UK. Alternatively,
we could help with a donation collection at the end of the service.
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The day of the funeral
Having made all the necessary arrangements, there should not be too much for you
to think or worry about on the day of the funeral itself, although close relatives can
feel a little anxious as the time approaches.
The funeral director will guide you on what to do as the funeral unfolds. There is no set protocol
for seating arrangements but priority is usually given to the principal mourners. We can ensure
that mourners are guided appropriately.
There is no set procedure for a funeral but traditionally the funeral procession starts at the house
of the person who has died - or sometimes the hospital or funeral home - with the coffin and
cars travelling to the place where the funeral service will take place. The hearse sometimes goes
straight to the service and mourners meet there.
The coffin is taken into where the funeral service is to be held and close family members usually
follow and sit at the front. For a burial, the coffin will be taken to the grave and lowered into the
grave while a short service is held.
For a cremation, the coffin will be taken to the crematorium and placed on a stand. Towards the
end of the service music is played and traditionally the coffin disappears from view. If you want
the coffin to remain on view until after the mourners have left, please tell the funeral director.
Remember that there will be a time limit for the service. You can book more time at the
crematorium if you like, although this may cost extra. We can advise on times and costs.
There is no set dress code for a funeral but we suggest that
mourners should dress appropriately to express their feelings
on the day. This may well be a black suit but conversely it
could be a sports shirt if the circumstances dictate.
Reception after the funeral
The reception after the funeral, which is sometimes called the
wake, is an opportunity to mourn the passing of the person
who has died and, as importantly, to celebrate their life. The
reception also gives friends and relatives the opportunity
to express their condolences and support for the deceased
person’s close family.
Choosing a location
You need to decide the sort of gathering that you and other
family members want. The deceased person may well have
made their own preferences clear either to the family or in a
letter of wishes. If you decide to use a local hall, restaurant or
other location you should make the booking as soon as you
have decided the date for the funeral. We will be able to help
both in choosing an appropriate location and in making the
booking.
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