Planning an Eco-Friendly Funeral

As environmental consciousness continues to grow, many individuals are seeking ways to reduce their ecological footprint even in their final journey. At Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground, we understand the importance of honouring the environment and providing sustainable funeral options. In this blog, we explore various aspects of an eco-friendly funeral, highlighting green choices you can make along the way. Let's explore how you can have a greener farewell.

Conscious Coffin and Urn Selection:

When planning an eco-friendly funeral, thoughtful consideration should be given to the choice of coffins and urns. Opting for sustainable materials allows you to honour your loved one's memory while minimising environmental impact. Look for coffins made from materials like willow, wicker, water hyacinth, pandanus, mulberry paper, or cardboard, as these options are biodegradable and have minimal ecological footprints.

Similarly, biodegradable urns made from sustainable materials provide a beautiful and environmentally conscious vessel for holding ashes in the case of cremation. There are also paper scattering tubes available which are designed to simplify the scattering of cremated remains. They are an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic, ceramic, metal and hardwood cremation urns.

Our sister company Green Coffins Ireland offer a wide range of eco-friendly coffins and urns, handcrafted with care and made from sustainable materials. You can view their website here: www.greencoffins.ie.

Natural Burial Grounds:

Natural burial grounds, like Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground in Co. Wexford foster the preservation of native woodlands and wildflower meadows. These spaces provide a serene resting place while supporting conservation efforts.

A natural burial ground is a graveyard that serves a dual purpose as a developing native woodland and wildflower meadow. Unlike conventional Victorian-type graveyards, natural burial grounds don’t have marble headstones and concrete surrounds and instead have simple grave markers and the planting of native Irish trees.

Walking along the pathways of these natural burial grounds, visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, observing wildlife thriving in their newly established habitats. By choosing a natural or green burial, you contribute to the creation, conservation, and sustenance of native Irish woodland, leaving a lasting gift for future generations to enjoy.

You can reserve a place at Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground here.

Planting Trees:

As part of the memorial process, consider planting trees in honour of your loved one. Trees provide a lasting symbol of life, contribute to reforestation efforts, and create natural habitats for wildlife.

At Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground we offer a service where we plant memorial trees on your behalf in a woodland area that’s separate from our burial ground. You can view details of this service here.

Live Floral Arrangements:

Choose locally sourced, organic, and seasonal flowers for floral arrangements. You should also consider live potted plants that can be planted after the funeral, minimising waste and promoting sustainability.

Donation in Lieu of Flowers:

Encourage guests to make donations to environmental or conservation organisations instead of bringing floral arrangements. This contribution supports causes aligned with your eco-friendly values.

Pre-planning an Eco-Funeral:

Taking proactive steps to pre-plan your funeral can not only alleviate future burdens on your loved ones but also allow you to ensure that your final farewell aligns with your eco-conscious values. By considering an eco-friendly approach and working with preplanning funeral services such as My Farewell Wishes, you can take control of your funeral arrangements and ensure that your wishes are honoured.

Planning any funeral can be a difficult and emotional process. We understand that during this time, there are many choices to make, and it's important not to put unnecessary pressure on yourself or your loved ones. At Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground, we are here to support you and provide a tranquil and natural resting place that aligns with your wishes. Remember, there is no perfect way to navigate through death or plan a funeral, but we are dedicated to accommodating your choices and offering guidance.