Natural Burial Grounds – Guidance for Operators

Supporting the people who care for the land, the bereaved, and future generations

Running a natural burial ground is a unique responsibility. It blends land stewardship, ecological enhancement, and compassionate support for families at one of the most sensitive moments in life. Whether you are a farmer diversifying your land use, a charity managing a conservation site, or a local authority exploring more sustainable burial options, having clear, practical guidance is essential to opening a natural burial ground.

This article provides a friendly, easy-to-follow overview of what operators need to know—drawing on the official UK government guidelines (Natural Burial Grounds – Guidance for Operators)—so you can create a safe, ethical, environmentally sound, and legally compliant natural burial ground.

A natural burial ground is a place where people can be laid to rest in a way that protects and enhances the natural environment. Graves use only biodegradable materials—such as cardboard, willow, bamboo, wool shrouds, or untreated wood—and the land is managed for wildlife and ecological restoration rather than traditional cemetery aesthetics.

For Guidance for Operators, this means the site must be managed sensitively, sustainably, and transparently. It is as much a nature conservation project as it is a burial service.

Overview Guidance for Operators Running a Natural Burial Ground.

Land Use & Planning Permission

Many natural burial grounds require planning consent for a change of land use. Early discussions with your local planning authority can clarify:

• Whether your site qualifies without significant change

• Traffic and access considerations

• Environmental impact assessments

• Heritage or archaeological surveys

• Community consultation requirements

Even if planning permission is not strictly needed, most operators still pursue it to avoid future challenges.

Site Suitability

A suitable natural burial ground should have:

• Well-drained soils (to avoid waterlogging)

• Low risk of groundwater contamination

• Safe distances from watercourses, springs, and boreholes

• Space for long-term burial capacity and pathways

• Biodiversity value or potential for ecological improvement

The UK guidance highlights that groundwater risk is a key consideration, so conducting a hydrological risk assessment is strongly recommended.

Registration & Compliance

In the UK, natural burial grounds do not require a licence, but operators must comply with existing legislation, including:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990

• Groundwater protection regulations

• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

• Local Authority Cemeteries Order (LACO) guidelines for good practice

You must also keep accurate records of every burial (location, depth, date, identity, coffin/shroud type).

Maps & Record Keeping

Clear record-keeping protects both your site and grieving families. You should maintain:

• A master map of all burial plots

• GPS coordinates of each grave (increasingly common)

• Plot numbering or grid system

• Any tree planting associated with graves

• Details of exclusive rights of burial (if offered)

These records must remain accessible for at least 100 years.

Groundwater Protection

One of the key duties of an operator is protecting the water environment. This includes:

• Avoiding burial sites close to rivers, lakes, or drinking water sources

• Ensuring sufficient depth between the base of the grave and the water table

• Avoiding steep slopes where leachate could run off

The Environment Agency recommends at least 250m from any drinking water abstraction point.

Soil, Trees & Vegetation

Natural burial grounds should support biodiversity by:

• Planting native trees and wildflowers

• Creating habitat mosaics (woodland, meadow, scrub)

• Avoiding non-native species

• Managing land without pesticides or artificial fertilisers

If planting memorial trees, ensure they fit the natural ecology of your site—not ornamental varieties.

Wildlife & Conservation Goals

Many operators work in partnership with:

• Local Wildlife Trusts

• Conservation charities

• Ecologists

• Tree officers and biodiversity advisors

Conservation management plans help guide long-term ecological outcomes.

Grave Preparation & Backfilling

Operators should ensure:

• Graves are dug to safe, consistent depths (typically 3–4 feet of cover)

• Soil is stored hygienically and replaced respectfully

• Machinery operators are trained and insured

• The site remains safe for visitors during and after interments

Hand-digging is still common in natural burial sites due to reduced machinery impact.

Access & Pathways

Ensure your site offers:

• Safe, year-round access

• Hardstanding or parking areas

• Clear signage

• Pathways suitable for elderly or disabled visitors

Natural does not mean inaccessible—paths can be informal but should still be safe.

Memorials & Markers

Most natural burial grounds restrict memorials to:

• Wooden plaques

• Natural stones

• Biodegradable markers

• Or none at all (GPS mapping instead)

Consistency is key—this preserves the site's natural aesthetic and ecological goals.

Clarity and compassion are essential. Families often choose natural burial because they want a gentle, nature-based farewell. As an operator, you should provide:

Transparent Pricing

Break down:

• Plot cost

• Interment fee

• Optional extras (tree planting, memorial markers, services)

• Future maintenance costs

Honest Expectations

Explain how the site looks throughout the year—wildflower meadows change dramatically between seasons, and some families may expect a "tidy" space. Photos help manage expectations.

Rules & What Families Can Bring

Have a clear policy for:

• Coffin requirements (biodegradable only)

• Floral tributes (no plastics, no oasis foam)

• Tree planting

• Personal mementos (biodegradable items only)

Long-Term Security

Families want reassurance about the future of the site:

• Who owns the land?

• Will it remain a burial ground in perpetuity?

• What happens when the site is full?

• How is maintenance guaranteed?

Long-term management plans build trust and credibility.

Natural burial grounds are typically long-term (100+ years). Operators should plan for:

Sustainable Maintenance

• Hedge management

• Grass cutting cycles aligned with wildlife

• Tree monitoring

• Path maintenance

• Regular ecological reviews

Financial Sustainability

Income must cover:

• Ongoing land management

• Staff

• Records and administration

• Insurance

• Future liabilities

Many sites operate as not-for-profit, CICs, or part of conservation organisations, but private operators can also run them effectively with proper planning.

Restoration & Legacy

The long-term aim is often to create:

• New woodland

• Species-rich grassland

• Improved soil health

• A stable ecosystem supporting birds, insects, pollinators, and native flora

The burial ground becomes a living landscape shaped by grief, memory, and regeneration.

Operators can benefit from working with:

• The Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG)

• Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)

• Green Burial Council (global reference)

• Local environmental specialists

Training helps ensure:

• Safe grave digging

• Excellent record-keeping

• Conservation knowledge

• Supportive communication with families

Being part of recognised associations also adds credibility.

Natural burial grounds often become quiet community green spaces. Positive community engagement helps:

• Reduce misunderstandings

• Build local support

• Create volunteer conservation groups

• Encourage schools and nature groups to visit (where appropriate)

Some sites host guided walks, tree-planting events, and remembrance days.

Guidance for Operators: Operating a natural burial ground means balancing three core commitments:

Care for People: Creating a supportive, transparent, and compassionate experience for grieving families.

Care for the Land: Managing soil, habitats, and water responsibly, improving biodiversity, and honouring the landscape.

Care for the Future: Ensuring the burial ground remains financially, legally, and environmentally sustainable for generations.

When done well, natural burial grounds offer something deeply meaningful—a resting place that heals, restores, and honours both people and planet.

Resources

Government: Guide for Burial Ground Managers

Government: Natural burial grounds - Guidance for operators 

The Association of Natural Burial Grounds: The Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG)

Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)

 

 

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