“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.”
Natural burials, also known as woodland or green burials, have existed for centuries. Now, they are experiencing a revival, as we become more mindful of our environment and our responsibility to preserve it. Our guide explains more about natural burials and will help you decide whether they are the right option for you or your loved one.
Natural burials allow us to manage the end of our lives in a more natural and positive way. Natural burials remove elements of the traditional burial process that can slow natural decomposition and damage surrounding ecosystems. A natural burial allows you to rest in scenic surroundings, where family and friends can return and see the landscape grow with each passing year.
While we do offer plenty of flexibility and choice, as a true natural burial ground there are some requirements that must be followed. This is to ensure that we support the natural lifecycle process and to help conserve our local ecosystems. For example, the coffin and burial clothes must be made of biodegradable materials and natural fibres and embalming is not permitted. Burial plots cannot be marked with ornaments, soft toys, balloons, photographs, or cards. This is because they cannot biodegrade and can be harmful to local wildlife. For more information about our environmental measures, please visit our Rules page.
At Old Park Meadow, we want our natural burial ground to be a haven for wildlife as well as a peaceful final resting place. Our 34 acres of beautiful meadows and woodland offer a variety of safe, natural habitats for plants and wildlife. We manage and plant our site using traditional, balanced land management techniques. Working with the local council, Woodland Trust, and Essex Wildlife Trust, we have created an environment that is long-lasting and suitable for indigenous flora and fauna. We have a variety of bird boxes, including two nesting boxes for barn owls, hedgehog and bat boxes, a pond, and an array of wildflowers and trees.
We believe that anyone should be able to choose a sustainable and beautiful burial as their final resting place. Unlike other cemeteries and burial grounds, Old Park Meadow is open to people from all faiths, backgrounds, and areas. Everything we offer is tailored to the individual. We can hold religious, secular, and humanist services in our on-site lodge, and won’t charge any additional fees for people living outside of the local area. We are proud to offer services that cater to any need. Whatever your request, we will do everything we can to make it a reality.
Choosing how to manage the end-of-life process is a difficult decision. The Old Park Meadow team are always on hand to advise and assist you with care and compassion. Our experienced team can talk you through our natural burial services and will help you find all the information you need to make a fully informed decision.
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.”
