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Set in beautiful countryside in Keysoe, Bedfordshire and surrounded by 60 acres of woodland.
Access to the woodland is through the College Equestrian Centre, Church Road, Keysoe, Bedford. MK44 2JP

What is woodland burial ?

Woodland burial is increasingly the choice of many people who want to be laid to rest in a way that doesn't harm the environment. Often called green burial, natural burial, or environmentally friendly funerals, this is an obvious choice as opposed to crematoria which pollute and contribute to global warming. Instead of rows of tombstones, woodland burial grounds plant trees. This is the perfect way to reduce our carbon footprint and give something back.

Woodland burial is an opportunity to be buried in a natural woodland setting, a nature reserve among trees, birds and other forms of wildlife. It is the only way to be buried without harming the environment and it is a natural way to leave something positive behind when we die.

We can now all make the choice to be buried in a woodland setting, as opposed to a traditional cemetery. If you choose woodland burial you will usually save money, protect the environment and importantly make a lasting contribution towards a woodland nature reserve which will last for generations to come.

Throughout the centuries the Christian church has offered care and comfort to the dying and bereaved. This experience will be brought to bear in ensuring that the woodland burial ground at Keysoe is a lasting memorial to those who choose to be buried there.

Those making this choice will be asked to have coffins made of natural materials. Many people are surprised to learn that coffins destined for cremation and ordinary burial are usually made of plastics and synthetic veneers. These are unsuitable for woodland burial since they are not environmentally friendly and do not naturally decompose in the ground. We will work with funeral directors to ensure that people who choose woodland burial are able to have a real wood coffin or another natural alternative such as willow or wicker. Once laid to rest, relatives may choose to mark the grave with a wooden cross or plaque which will biodegrade over a period of years. Of course all graves will be discreetly recorded so that their location can be determined exactly.

Everybody will be welcome at the woodland burial ground, those with Christian faith, those from other faiths, and people who may have no faith at all. They will all be united in one important truth, they will have chosen not to share in practices which cause damage to the environment. Instead they will share in leaving behind something that will be of lasting benefit for our children and grandchildren and for generations to come.

Each of us must make a choice, or have the choice made for us, of what will happen to our bodies when we die. Cremation is the choice of most people, but we need to know that it is done at a terrible cost to the environment. Cremation is responsible for airborne mercury emissions, atmospheric dioxins and pollutants linked with cancer and other illnesses. There is growing pressure on government and local authorities to behave in an environmentally sustainable way. Burning bodies uses precious fuels, creating greenhouse gases – cremation is definitely not the answer for those care about the planet or those they leave behind!

The alternative choice for most people involves traditional cemeteries. However this form of burial has resulted in vast amounts of land becoming covered with long rows of graves. Many of these cemeteries are reaching capacity and the sight of vandalism and dilapidated headstones is a poor tribute to our loved ones. The much better alternative is woodland burial. People are buried with wooden markers, in managed woodland areas and the result is a nature reserve which enhances the environment rather than destroying it.

Over the period of our lives we use up a vast amount of natural resources. Woodland burial is a way of acknowledging that fact and trying to put something back into the environment that has sustained us throughout our lives, the ultimate recycle. In this country we have sadly lost much of our natural woodland and from an environmental standpoint it is becoming increasingly important that we not only preserve what is left of our natural world, but where possible create new havens for wildlife.

Professor David Bellamy is an enthusiastic supporter, he said

• "I can think of no better way of celebrating the continuity of creation than becoming part of a tree
• in a piece of countryside destined to become woodland, full of wild flowers, wildlife and birdsong, forever and ever, Amen

We can help you locate a woodland burial site near you Find Woodland Burial Places