A beautiful meadow as your final resting place?
With cemeteries and churchyards running out of space, and cremation being bad for the environment, what could be more inspiring than the beautiful natural setting of a wildflower meadow as a final resting place? What is more, it couldn't be simpler… A meadow funeral can often surprise those who attend it by being a lovely, memorable day, changing what is often a sombre occasion into an uplifting event.This was certainly the experience of a family who recently chose the new Cardiff The Vale natural burial ground earlier this month. After the funeral people were asking a lot of questions and were very interested in the whole idea, which was completely new to them, and which they didn’t think were possible. For the family it helped them by knowing that their mother/grandmother was in a place that she would absolutely have adored. Of course, the other benefit of this type of funeral is that it makes very little impact on the environment; indeed, if you choose an earth-friendly coffin, such as the popular wicker coffins, and natural fabrics such as cotton for clothes and linings, your funeral will be as green as it could be – and these days, your local funeral director will be able to help you choose from a wide range of eco-friendly products. Planning your funeral in advance can be a truly liberating experience, freeing you to concentrate on the future, family and friends. For many, a green burial is the final part of a traditional funeral, where a local church service is followed by a committal ceremony for close family and friends at a natural burial ground. Others prefer a non-religious celebration of life and a less formal grave-side service. The important thing is that you have the choice to do what is right for you. Ideally a final resting place should have something special about it - wide scenic views are wonderfully inspiring, while others prefer the intimacy of a woodland glade. By choosing a natural and beautiful place to rest, visiting can be an uplifting experience for our loved ones - a place where nature can invigorate and refresh them. A return to nature in a place unspoilt by development and away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Natural burial grounds lift the duty of tending to the grave from your family, who may well live many miles away, allowing visits in all weathers and in all seasons to be time spent in a beautiful, natural place; time to sit, walk, contemplate and take in the open air. The over-riding aim is to keep things as simple, natural and beautiful as possible and contribute to a positive future. For information on natural burial grounds in Usk and Cardiff visit www.nativewoodland.co.uk or telephone them on 0845 4500 165 for a free guide.