5 key things to consider when attending a natural burial

If you’ve been invited to attend a natural burial and you haven’t been to one before, prepare yourself for something very different to a traditional funeral – but an incredibly special experience. Many are unsure of exactly what a natural burial is and what to expect, so here we break it down into 5 key things we suggest guests at a natural burial take into consideration.

1. The flowers

Often guests at a funeral service will bring flowers and tributes to drop into the grave or leave at the graveside. But it’s important to note that everything left at a natural burial site must be biodegradable. That means no plastic-based wrapping on flowers and no materials that would be in any way harmful to the natural environment or wildlife.

However, there are beautiful alternatives to consider. Flowers that are unwrapped or covered with biodegradable material, petals, wildflower seeds or even a shrub or tree to plant if the site allows it. If you’re unsure, the person arranging the funeral or the natural burial ground staff should be able to advise you.

Of course you do not need to bring anything to a natural burial but yourself – but if you wanted to pay your respects in another way there are plenty of eco-friendly options.

2. Footwear

As you may have guessed, you will be outside when attending a natural burial, so bear in mind that the ground underfoot may be uneven or muddy. There may also be a fair amount of walking involved, depending on where the grave is positioned within the site. Suitable footwear is therefore essential.

Some people choose to wear wellies, trainers or walking boots (especially if the person being buried was an outdoor lover), while others wear more smart, dressy shoes. But whichever you choose, make sure they are comfortable to walk in, waterproof and sturdy.

3. The weather

Often at a natural burial, the funeral service will take place at the graveside, although some burial grounds do have indoor spaces available for ceremonies or gatherings. Regardless, you are guaranteed to be outdoors for a high proportion of the time, so check the forecast and come prepared for whatever the weather is likely to hold.

Being outside in nature surrounded by countryside is one of the most special things about a natural burial. So as long as you come prepared for the right weather with a brolly, coat, scarf (or maybe even sun cream!), you will be able to absorb the beauty of the occasion.

4. Ceremony timings

If you’ve been to a funeral at a crematorium, you may be familiar with fairly short services of around 20-25 minutes. That’s because crematoria usually hold several funerals per day and therefore need to keep to set timings per service. One of the benefits of natural burial is that there are no such time constraints.

This doesn’t necessarily mean a long funeral, but natural burial sites can be flexible according to each person’s wishes. So if a family wants to hold a longer funeral service and stay by the graveside for an extended period of time, that will usually be welcomed. This allows people to take the time and space they need to grieve and say goodbye, perhaps reading eulogies, personal memories and poems, or joining together in song.

So don’t be surprised if you are there for longer than you would expect at a more traditional funeral service, and embrace the freedom of expression a natural burial can bring.

5. Your carbon footprint

It is likely that the person being buried and/or their family chose a natural burial because of its environmental benefits. This is a good indication that the family cares deeply about protecting the environment, so why not respect and embrace this by paying extra attention to your own carbon footprint on the day?

Is there a way you could reduce your footprint by taking public transport or car pooling with other guests to get to the burial? If you plan to take flowers or give a gift, could you choose something that’s eco-friendly or recyclable? Or perhaps you could plant a tree, sprinkle some wildflowers, or make a donation to a green charity?

There are lots of options, and any such gesture is likely to be appreciated by fellow family and friends of the person whose life you are celebrating.

Where can I find a natural burial ground near me?

We hope this article has helped give you an understanding of what to expect from a natural burial funeral. If the experience of attending a natural burial prompts you to look further into this option, you may wish to search our directory of natural burial grounds to find a site near you.

Please note that Eco Endings launched in 2024 and we are still growing our directory, so if you can’t find a site nearby you may also wish to check the Natural Death Centre list of natural burial grounds across the country.