People are increasingly searching for greener burial alternatives and come to us with a number of questions. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about our burial practices and procedures.
Get in touch online, by phone, or come and visit us. A member of our friendly and experienced team will discuss your options with you and cater to your specific funeral needs. We work closely with many funeral directors, clergy, and other secular organisations to ensure the wishes of you or your loved one are fully satisfied.
Old Park Meadow offers burial plots in varying but equally picturesque locations across our natural burial ground. Whether you would prefer a spot in our young bluebell wood, our wildflower meadow, spring corner, or one with a view of our scenic pond, our team can help you choose the right final resting place.
We carefully record our graves using traditional mapping and an electronic tag system. This is to ensure we have a permanent record of those buried with us. During opening hours, a member of staff will always be on hand to help you locate a grave. We can also provide wooden grave markers.
Our burial plots are created to accommodate one burial, but you can purchase two plots side by side. If this is not possible, we will strive to find you resting places as close together as the remaining plots allow.
Following the Guiding Principles of the ICCM Charter for the Bereaved Choosing a Natural Burial, graves are backfilled and made tidy as soon as mourners have left the graveside. This work is completed on the day of the burial and coffins are not left uncovered overnight. In advance of the burial, graves are prepared at least one full day before the funeral and are covered overnight.
Yes, however we do require advanced notice to ensure we are adequately prepared.
Yes, they can. Ashes can be buried in a chosen area in a biodegradable urn, basket, or box. They can also be poured directly into the grave.
When you buy a grave, you purchase the exclusive Rights of Burial in that grave for a set period of 75 years. If you do not renew your lease options, the exclusive rights of burial will eventually run out. Please ensure that you notify us of any changes to your contact information, including name and address.
Ownership of the exclusive Rights of Burial in a grave can be transferred from a deceased owner via that owner’s estate. The means of transfer can be very complex and, while there is a set procedure to follow, each case must be looked at individually. If you need to transfer ownership when all owners are deceased, contact a member of our team.
Burial rights can be assigned on the production of the original receipt and written instructions from the registered burial plot owner, plus payment of an administration fee.
Individual graves can be blessed as you wish, but there are no marked areas that are consecrated for one specific religion.
If you would like more specific information about our environmental requirements, including caskets, burial clothes, and tributes, please visit our Green Burial Rules page.
Need some guidance on planning a natural funeral? Check out of guides for Natural Burials and Natural Funeral Planning.
If you would like to find out more about Old Park Meadow or what we do, get in touch with our team today.
“I can’t say how grateful I am for their love and care – there are no words. They also run so many events to help keep you stay connected if that’s what you want. Amazing place with amazing people. Would give them higher than 5* if could.”
“Sincere thanks to everyone at Old Park Meadow for their outstanding professional and kind support; and for helping us to arrange such a beautiful Celebration of Life for our son. Old Park Meadow is such a beautiful and peaceful place and the staff are wonderful. The service was exactly what we wanted and so many people who were there have told us how impressed they were both with the service and the venue. I would not hesitate to recommend Old Park Meadow to anyone seeking a natural burial for a loved one.”
“Just a few lines to thank you all for your help yesterday. The professional way you approached everything was highly commendable. It made a grim day much brighter.”
“I just wanted to thank you both so much for all your help, kindness and professionalism. The whole family are so grateful, that with your help we were able to say goodbye to our dad in such a beautiful way. It has helped so much to know that he is laid to rest in a place that he would’ve loved. I imagine that you both go well beyond your job description! You have helped us through a very stressful and difficult time with such thoughtfulness, consideration and care and I truly thank you so much for making such a sad time, when you can’t think straight, bearable.”
“We would like to thank you for the fantastic service you provided last Tuesday. Everything was perfectly organised and we were especially grateful for being so accommodating. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found your Lodge and the service you offer which was just right for our needs. We were also blessed with a glorious sunny day! The acoustics and afternoon tea were also great and please pass on our thanks to the caterers.”
“Such a lovely place for Mum’s final resting place. Just what she wanted with a wonderful service, Delyse and all the staff were so understanding.”
“We were very pleased to find Old Park Meadow as a resting place for my mother who wanted a woodland burial. The location is beautiful, and the service room is both beautiful and uplifting. It is very well run and organised. The emphasis here is on natural, and much attention has been given to planting and conservation. The planting is relatively recent, so trees are still young, but will obviously mature over time. Costs were reasonable, and clearly set out. My sisters and I looked at several other natural burial grounds, but this was a clear first choice for us.”
My family and I chose Old Park Meadow to hold my late brothers funeral service. It was without a doubt the right choice, both the chapel and grounds are beautiful, and brought a definite sense of calm and peace to the occasion. Delyse is a pleasure to deal with, and nothing was too much trouble for her. I would have no hesitation in recommending Old Park Meadow for any occasion. Thank you so much for making a difficult time a lot easier.
“Thank you Delyse for assisting us in making our small service for my Mum’s internment perfect, my Mum enjoyed nature of all aspects and all it’s beauty and oak park meadow is such a perfect place for her final resting place. I cant wait to see how things grow and change and Mum’s tree flourish in all its beauty and the wildlife that makes it there new home over the years as i visit my mum over the years to come with my family.”
“What a beautiful place, from the minute I drove down the drive I knew it was going to be nice, but when you get out of the car and see the stunning views and beautiful building it’s something else. Really tranquil and welcoming. Attention to detail is outstanding, well done to all those involved.”
“Truly Beautiful setting. Vast amount of memorial options at this gorgeous nature reserve. Very lovely welcoming and extremely helpful staff that made laying our amazing mummy to rest, much more bearable.”
“What a wonderful place – so peaceful and beautiful inside and out. A pleasure to meet Delyse and look forward to working with you in the future.”
“We have received so many lovely comments about Mum’s service on Tuesday – and everybody I spoke to commented on the beautiful setting. Thanks once again for your help in making it the wonderful tribute that Mum deserved.”
“A beautiful and tranquil place. I feel peaceful knowing mum is here. Delyse was incredibly thoughtful and supportive. I was touched by how she helped us include four very small grandchildren in a gentle, loving and practical way to help them say goodbye to Nana.”
“Thank you for yesterday. The burial ground is so beautiful and peaceful, it was a privilege to be able to lay dad to rest somewhere so pretty. Being able to hear the sheep in the background and knowing that some of dads younger years were in rural Yorkshire (very much sheep country) was lovely and emphasised the peace of the setting. And so in keeping with his wishes to return to nature in death. It’s comforting to know he would have loved the site, we can imagine him off sunbathing in the long grass.”
