Natural Burial Ground Associations Explained: Guidance, Standards & Support

Natural burial in the UK has grown from a small environmental movement into a recognised, trusted alternative to traditional funerals. As this growth continues, Natural Burial Ground Associations and related organisations play an essential role in maintaining standards, supporting families, and guiding operators who care about conservation, ecology, and dignified end-of-life choices.

This article explains what these associations do, why they matter, and how they help ensure natural burial grounds remain safe, ethical, and environmentally responsible.

Natural burial ground associations are organisations that:

• Provide guidance and best-practice standards for operators

• Support the public with clear information about natural burials

• Promote environmentally friendly funerals

• Offer accreditation or membership schemes

• Represent the sector at governmental or industry level

They work to ensure that natural burial grounds operate ethically, sustainably, and with transparency. Many families feel reassured choosing a burial ground that is affiliated with one of these bodies because it signals a commitment to high standards of care.

Associations also help operators stay aligned with relevant UK laws, regulations, and environmental requirements, which is especially important given the sensitive nature of burial practice.

Below is an overview of the most relevant organisations and networks connected to natural and environmentally friendly burial practices.

Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG)

The ANBG is the most recognised UK body dedicated specifically to natural burial sites.
It was founded by The Natural Death Centre, a long-established charity that provides information on environmentally friendly funerals.

The ANBG:

• Offers a Code of Conduct that member sites must follow

• Encourages transparency in pricing, terms of burial, and operation

• Supports families with clear information

• Promotes responsible land management and ecological sensitivity

• Helps ensure natural burial grounds operate safely and respectfully

ANBG membership is voluntary, but many established natural burial grounds join to demonstrate commitment to good practice.

The Natural Death Centre 

Although not exclusively an association, the Natural Death Centre is one of the most influential bodies in the green funeral movement.
They support natural burial by:

• Providing guidance for families on burial options

• Offering training and resources for funeral professionals

• Publishing the Natural Death Handbook, a leading reference in the sector

• Supporting independent funeral choices

The Natural Death Centre  is widely recognised for their role in developing and encouraging natural burial across the UK.

The Natural Burial Alliance (NBA) 

The Natural Burial Alliance is a UK-based network of natural burial and green funeral professionals dedicated to promoting greener, more sustainable funeral practices throughout the country. It brings together operators of natural burial grounds, funeral suppliers, and other service providers who share a commitment to eco-friendly end-of-life choices, offering education, continuing professional development, and awareness-raising initiatives for its members.

The Alliance also maintains an online directory of natural burial grounds and green funeral suppliers, publishes guides and blogs to support families planning eco funerals, and helps connect people with trusted professionals who understand the values and practicalities of natural burial.

 

Not all natural burial grounds choose to join an association, but those that do often gain:

• A public mark of accountability

• Access to guidance and supportive networks

• Greater trust from families

• Alignment with environmental and ethical standards

• A sense of community within the sector

Membership does not guarantee perfection, but it shows a commitment to continual good practice.

As interest in eco-friendly funerals and conservation-led burial options grows, natural burial associations will continue to shape:

• Best practice guidelines

• Conservation objectives

• Future research on soil health and ecology

• Support for operators using sustainable land management

They help natural burial remain a gentle, environmentally thoughtful option rooted in respect for people and the landscape.

While natural burial grounds work most closely with bodies such as the Association of Natural Burial Grounds, there are other important organisations within the wider funeral sector that help promote ethical practice, transparency, and environmentally responsible choices.

The Association of Green Funeral Directors (AGFD)

The AGFD is a national organisation that promotes greener, more sustainable funeral practices across the UK. Although it does not focus exclusively on natural burial grounds, it plays a significant role in the eco-funeral movement.

The AGFD aims to:

• Encourage funeral directors to adopt environmentally responsible practices

• Promote biodegradable coffins, low-impact materials, and greener transport options

• Support public awareness around sustainable funerals

• Provide guidance to funeral professionals wishing to reduce their environmental footprint

Many funeral directors who work regularly with natural burial grounds are AGFD members, helping families access services that align with eco-friendly values.

Coffin, Casket and Shroud Association (CCSA)

The Coffin, Casket and Shroud Association (CCSA) represents manufacturers and suppliers who produce funeral containers, including many of the biodegradable options used in natural and woodland burials. The association promotes responsible manufacturing, ethical sourcing, and consistent quality across the industry.

For natural burial grounds, the CCSA’s role is particularly relevant because it supports suppliers who create environmentally friendly products—such as wicker, cardboard, bamboo, wool, and shroud-based burial options. By setting standards and encouraging transparency, the CCSA helps ensure that families have access to sustainable, safe, and dignified materials that align with the principles of natural burial.

Global Green Burial Alliance 

The Global Green Burial Alliance (GGBA) is an international organisation dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible burial practices around the world. The Alliance works to raise awareness of the ecological benefits of green and natural burials, encourage transparency within the funeral sector, and support the global shift toward low-impact, conservation-focused end-of-life choices.

Through research, collaboration, and public education, the GGBA brings together burial grounds, funeral professionals, and environmental advocates to share best practice and champion approaches that protect soils, wildlife, and natural landscapes.

Although global in scope, its principles align closely with the values of UK natural burial grounds, offering useful perspective and guidance for those seeking truly sustainable burial options.

 

Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association (FFMA)

The Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association (FFMA) represents UK manufacturers and suppliers of funeral-related products, including coffins, caskets, fittings, and furnishings. Although its work spans the wider funeral industry, the FFMA plays an important role in ensuring quality, safety, and consistency across items that may also be used in natural burials.

The association provides testing, certification, and industry standards for coffin construction—helping families and funeral professionals feel confident that products are safe, reliable, and appropriately made. For natural burial grounds, the FFMA’s commitment to high manufacturing standards supports the use of well-constructed, environmentally sensitive burial materials, particularly when working with biodegradable coffins and shrouds.

The Funeral Suppliers’ Association (FSA)

The FSA represents manufacturers and suppliers within the UK funeral industry, including those producing eco-friendly and biodegradable materials commonly used in natural burials.

The FSA supports the sector by:

• Promoting high standards in the production of coffins, shrouds, urns, and memorial products

• Encouraging innovation in sustainable funeral supplies

• Bringing manufacturers together to share best practice

• Helping ensure transparency, quality and ethical sourcing in funeral products

While the FSA does not oversee burial grounds directly, its members often supply the biodegradable coffins and eco-conscious materials preferred for natural and woodland burials, making it a key part of the broader green funeral landscape.

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