HIGHER GROUND MEADOW
Natural Burial
Can we hold a non religious service at Higher Ground Meadow?
Yes, whatever you like.
Can we hold a church service before the burial?
Yes certainly then your Minster would come to the grave for the committal.
Can we bring the family dog to the burial?
Yes, we realise they are an important part of many families.
What do people normally wear to a natural burial?
From a suit to jeans and a t-shirt, we don’t mind, just as long as you are comfortable.
Can we take a photo?
Yes, in fact we often suggest this to families it will be a very special memento in years to come and it is a very beautiful sight when the coffin travels through the meadow on the wooden bier.
Can we place flowers on the grave?
As long as the family have not requested “no flowers” then it is fine to do so.
Do the graves have headstones?
Not exactly, with a meadow burial we offer an 8” cube of local oak into which is recessed a 4”x 2”brass name plaque this is then placed flush with the ground surface. A woodland grave can have an oak and brass marker which stands beside the newly planted tree.
Can we leave a pot plant or put a vase for flowers?
Sorry No, we do have to be very strict about this as the burial ground is a natural place and some plants could be harmful to wildlife .
Do we have to hold a religious service?
No. There are many professionals who can create a fitting and meaningful service for you or if you wish the family can do it all themselves.
Do we have to use a funeral director?
The answer is no, but it is not an easy thing to carry out without some professional help.
Can you recommend a Funeral director?
We can certainly put you in touch with the ones who have used Higher Ground Meadow.
We asked one funeral director about natural/ green burial and he put us off, what do we do now?
Go elsewhere, it is your right to shop around, a good funeral director will want you to have the day to your wishes. Please remember the choice is yours and you don’t want to be left with a feeling of regret and wishing that things had been done differently.
Can we just hold a simple farewell at the grave side?
Yes. There is a wooden barn on site and many families use this, it can look beautiful if decorated with flowers and pictures of the deceased.
Do you have a time limit on the length of funeral?
Absolutely not. It is very important for families not to be rushed.
How many burials do you hold per day?
We aim to only hold one per day.
What type of music can we have?
In a word “anything.” Just whatever is appropriate to your family.
Can we choose the position of the grave?
Yes, generally families come and walk around Higher Ground Meadow, we discuss the possibilities, is it going to be in the meadow or a grave where a tree is planted? Then we decide on the position.
Is it possible to reserve the grave beside?
Yes, you can make a pre-purchase of the adjoining grave/s or these can simply be reserved by a small deposit.
Do we have any ongoing expenses or charges?
No.
How long are the burial rights?
At the time of burial we issue a burial certificate this gives 125 years security to that grave space.
Do we own the grave?
The freehold of the burial ground is still owned by ourselves but the family own the right of burial.
Can we come back to visit?
Yes, you are most welcome between 8 am. and dusk daily.
If we don’t choose a grave marker how will you know where the grave is?
All the graves have an electronic chip just below the ground surface, we can then use the reader to locate the exact position, it will also show the person’s name.
What will happen to Higher Ground Meadow when you die?
In our wills provision has been made for a trust to come into operation. We hope it will continue to be managed by our direct descendants but if for some unforeseeable reason this is not possible then the trust will appoint a manager.
Will you be buried here?
Most definitely, we have always intended to be buried on the farm.
Can we plant flowers on the grave?
Yes but they MUST be only native varieties from reputable sources. This is something we have to be very strict about and we will remove anything which is incorrect.
Is Higher Ground Meadow accessible for wheel chairs?
Yes, we have had wheel chair users attend burials at HGM but please be aware that the pathways are mown grass.
We want to choose a grave at the lower end of the site but have an elderly relative who can’t walk very far is there a possibility of driving to the grave?
Sorry we do not allow normal vehicles over the meadow as this would cause damage to the wild flowers. We do have a special two seater farm vehicle which is always available at a funeral to give anybody a lift.
Yes, whatever you like.
Can we hold a church service before the burial?
Yes certainly then your Minster would come to the grave for the committal.
Can we bring the family dog to the burial?
Yes, we realise they are an important part of many families.
What do people normally wear to a natural burial?
From a suit to jeans and a t-
Can we take a photo?
Yes, in fact we often suggest this to families it will be a very special memento in years to come and it is a very beautiful sight when the coffin travels through the meadow on the wooden bier.
Can we place flowers on the grave?
As long as the family have not requested “no flowers” then it is fine to do so.
Do the graves have headstones?
Not exactly, with a meadow burial we offer an 8” cube of local oak into which is recessed a 4”x 2”brass name plaque this is then placed flush with the ground surface. A woodland grave can have an oak and brass marker which stands beside the newly planted tree.
Can we leave a pot plant or put a vase for flowers?
Sorry No, we do have to be very strict about this as the burial ground is a natural place and some plants could be harmful to wildlife .
Do we have to hold a religious service?
No. There are many professionals who can create a fitting and meaningful service for you or if you wish the family can do it all themselves.
Do we have to use a funeral director?
The answer is no, but it is not an easy thing to carry out without some professional help.
Can you recommend a Funeral director?
We can certainly put you in touch with the ones who have used Higher Ground Meadow.
We asked one funeral director about natural/ green burial and he put us off, what do we do now?
Go elsewhere, it is your right to shop around, a good funeral director will want you to have the day to your wishes. Please remember the choice is yours and you don’t want to be left with a feeling of regret and wishing that things had been done differently.
Can we just hold a simple farewell at the grave side?
Yes. There is a wooden barn on site and many families use this, it can look beautiful if decorated with flowers and pictures of the deceased.
Do you have a time limit on the length of funeral?
Absolutely not. It is very important for families not to be rushed.
How many burials do you hold per day?
We aim to only hold one per day.
What type of music can we have?
In a word “anything.” Just whatever is appropriate to your family.
Can we choose the position of the grave?
Yes, generally families come and walk around Higher Ground Meadow, we discuss the possibilities, is it going to be in the meadow or a grave where a tree is planted? Then we decide on the position.
Is it possible to reserve the grave beside?
Yes, you can make a pre-
Do we have any ongoing expenses or charges?
No.
How long are the burial rights?
At the time of burial we issue a burial certificate this gives 125 years security to that grave space.
Do we own the grave?
The freehold of the burial ground is still owned by ourselves but the family own the right of burial.
Can we come back to visit?
Yes, you are most welcome between 8 am. and dusk daily.
If we don’t choose a grave marker how will you know where the grave is?
All the graves have an electronic chip just below the ground surface, we can then use the reader to locate the exact position, it will also show the person’s name.
What will happen to Higher Ground Meadow when you die?
In our wills provision has been made for a trust to come into operation. We hope it will continue to be managed by our direct descendants but if for some unforeseeable reason this is not possible then the trust will appoint a manager.
Will you be buried here?
Most definitely, we have always intended to be buried on the farm.
Can we plant flowers on the grave?
Yes but they MUST be only native varieties from reputable sources. This is something we have to be very strict about and we will remove anything which is incorrect.
Is Higher Ground Meadow accessible for wheel chairs?
Yes, we have had wheel chair users attend burials at HGM but please be aware that the pathways are mown grass.
We want to choose a grave at the lower end of the site but have an elderly relative who can’t walk very far is there a possibility of driving to the grave?
Sorry we do not allow normal vehicles over the meadow as this would cause damage to the wild flowers. We do have a special two seater farm vehicle which is always available at a funeral to give anybody a lift.
