What Is Natural Burial?
Natural burial is an environmentally focused way of burial that allows the body to return naturally to the earth using biodegradable materials and without embalming chemicals. At Longholt Wood, this takes place in a peaceful woodland setting near Lincoln, where the landscape itself remains a place of quiet remembrance.
The key principles of natural burial
- Biodegradable coffins or shrouds made from natural materials.
- No embalming chemicals, so the body can return naturally to the earth.
- Burial in a natural landscape rather than a conventional cemetery setting.
- Minimal memorial structures, helping the land remain calm, simple, and beautiful.
- Land management that supports wildlife habitats and biodiversity over time.
Why families choose natural burial
Many families are drawn to natural burial because it feels gentler, quieter, and more in keeping with the natural world. Instead of polished stone and hard landscaping, the focus is on woodland peace, open skies, birdsong, and a living landscape that changes with the seasons.
For many people, that offers reassurance. It means choosing a beautiful natural place where remembrance and environmental care sit together.
Types of natural burial ground
- Woodland burial sites, where graves are set within or beside trees and natural habitats.
- Meadow burial sites, where the landscape is more open and grassland-led.
- Natural burial sections within cemeteries, where rules are adapted to support biodegradable burial and simpler memorials.
What is allowed at Longholt Wood
At Longholt Wood, burials should use natural, biodegradable materials. Coffins or shrouds should be suitable for natural burial, and the setting is managed to avoid concrete vaults, embalming chemicals, and memorials that would feel out of place in the woodland environment.
If you are unsure what is suitable, we are always happy to talk it through and explain the options in simple terms.
Visit the woodland
The best way to understand Longholt Wood is to visit in person. Walking the woodland helps many families feel whether it is the right place for them or for someone they love.