How to book a natural burial plot

22 November 2024

Once you’ve decided on a natural burial, you may wish to book a plot in advance to guarantee availability when the time comes, giving you peace of mind and easing the strain on those planning your funeral. Here we guide you through the process of how to book a natural burial plot, the costs involved, and some key points you need to be aware of.

How to find a natural burial ground

Once you’ve decided on a natural burial then booking a plot should be a simple process.

You can search the NBA Directory to find a natural burial ground near you, but please note that we are in the process of building up the directory, so this is not yet a full list. If you would like to view a full list of the natural burial grounds registered with the Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG), you can do so via the Natural Death Centre website.

The natural burial grounds listed on our site provide a phone number and a contact form, so you can get in touch by phone or email to enquire about the process. They can talk you through how to book, but what you’ll probably want to do is arrange to visit the site to look around and talk to them there.

Making the decision to book a natural burial plot

Once you’ve had a look around and asked all your questions, you can either book a plot immediately or go home and think about it. It’s a good idea to take some time to think and to talk to your family or those closest to you before booking your plot.

If you decide to go ahead, get back in touch with your chosen burial ground and they will talk you through the process. There will be some paperwork to fill in, which you will be given a copy of once it’s all booked. Make sure you keep this in a safe place and tell the people most likely to be planning your funeral where this is.

How much does it cost to pre-book a burial plot?

When you book, you will probably be asked to pay half the cost of the plot, which will be the cost at the time. Your executors or family will be asked to pay the other half at the time of your death, and that will be at the amount relevant at that point.

Remember, though, that booking a plot does not include other fees such as preparing the ground and undertaker fees.

The fees can vary from one site to another. Let’s give two examples.

1) Jenny booked her plot in 2017 and paid for half of the single grave space. Her invoice was for £350. The cost at the time of writing (2024) has risen to £495 (i.e. £990 in total for those who wish to pay in full). Jenny has decided to pay the other half now. She says: “It will be one less thing for my family to think about at the time. And it won’t be ‘wasted’ money – it’s not like a holiday, which might be cancelled. The plot will definitely be used at some point!”

2) Since Ruth’s husband died ten years ago, she has kept his ashes in an urn in her home. Recently, a woodland burial site began to be developed near to her town, so she met with the secretary to view it. She decided she would buy a double plot for the interment of her husband’s ashes now, and for her own to be added when that time comes. The cost of the space is £1,750, which includes a natural wood marker (the equivalent of a gravestone in a cemetery) engraved with up to 80 letters. The second ashes interment will be another £525. This is clearly much more than in the first example – but definitely worth it, in Ruth’s opinion.

How soon do I need to book?

If you’re thinking about a natural burial, it might be better to book a plot sooner rather than later. It’s not just the cost that is an issue, it’s the increasing popularity of natural burial grounds.

Ellen had been thinking for years that she would like to book a double plot for herself and her severely disabled son to rest together. She even wandered around the burial ground on a few occasions, increasingly sure that this was the place for them. But when she decided to put her plan into action and phoned the burial ground, she found it was full. There were no spaces left. Plans are afoot to create another natural burial ground a few miles away, but in the meantime she is unable to book their final resting place.

At the Natural Burial Alliance we sincerely hope more burial grounds will open up as demand for green burial increases. We hope that by working together and raising awareness, lack of space will become less of an issue. But for now, if you think natural burial is the right choice for you, don’t delay – book a visit today.