Frequently Asked Questions Choose... How do I arrange a funeral at one of your Woodland Burial Parks? Will I have to use a Funeral Director? Can I / my family choose the position of the plot? What size will the plots be? Will I be able to buy a plot before I die? Do you have a pay-by-instalment plan if I'm buying before I die? How much will the plots be to buy? What happens to my money if I buy a plot? What can we mark the graves with? If the grave is not marked, how will people find it? How will I know the crematorium is sending the ashes that belong to us? How do I know that building will not occur on the land once I'm buried? Can ashes be buried loose or do they have to be in an urn? Can photographs be taken at the funeral? What sort of coffin is acceptable? What sort of conservation is being carried out at your Woodland Burial Parks? How long can we have for the burial? What happens if people who want to attend a funeral or visit have limited mobility? How do your Woodland Burial Parks compare with other green/woodland burial sites? Will you have a book of remembrance? Is the ground consecrated? Can people be buried together? Can dogs be taken into your Woodland Burial Parks? Must there be a religious ceremony? Will you be able to organise catering? Can personal effects be buried in the grave? Can friends or family carry the coffin? Can flowers be left on the grave?
	How do I arrange a funeral at one of your Woodland Burial Parks?
	There are many options available for the form the service will take. The woodland hall is available for services preceding a burial in the woodland, or a cremation elsewhere or indeed for a service of thanksgiving after the funeral has taken place.		Your local Funeral Director will be able to advise you how to arrange for a funeral here, as we work closely with Funeral Directors, Clergy, secular organizations and others to ensure that the needs of the deceased, family and friends are met.
	Will I have to use a Funeral Director?
	If you would like to make all the funeral arrangements yourself, we will be pleased to provide appropriate information and assistance.		However, funeral directors have many years’ experience in arranging funerals and will guide you expertly through the process. We feel this is the better way.
	Can I / my family choose the position of the plot?
	Yes, we strive to meet specific requirements wherever possible. However, there are certain landscape regulations we have to abide by for the protection of the woodland, as part of its long-term management. While we do not have		the regimentation of a traditional cemetery or graveyard, plots are placed in burial circles next to each other around trees. At any one time several burial circles will be available to choose from in different areas of the wood.
	What size will the plots be?
	Grave dimensions are 2.1mtrs x 900mm for burial plots, and 500mm square for ash interment plots. Memorials will be placed within the grave dimensions. [Top]
	Will I be able to buy a plot before I die?
	Yes. More people than ever are sorting out their arrangements before they die to protect their families from making difficult decisions at the time of death. [Top]		This ensures everyone's wishes are taken into account is also cost effective as there is a 10% discount available on the plot price if purchased in advance.
	Do you have a pay-by-instalment plan if I'm buying before I die?
	Yes, please ask for details. [Top]
	How much will the plots be to buy?
	Plots vary in price according to type and location in the woodland. Included in our literature are details explaining the different options and pricing. [Top]
	What happens to my money if I buy a plot?
	A secure Trust Fund has been created to safeguard purchasers’ rights. Four independent Trustees oversee the Trust. A percentage of each purchase is held by the Trust, to fund the long-term maintenance of our parks and the provision of their services. [Top]
	What can we mark the graves with?
	Graves may be marked discreetly with a wooden memorial if desired. We can arrange memorial posts for you that are made of solid English Oak, with an approved etched text and/or picture if you wish. Please refer to Memorial Options for more details. Funeral Directors may mark the grave with a temporary wooden cross, locating it for those who may wish to visit after the funeral. [Top]		This will be removed 4-6 weeks following the service. Stone monuments or anything made from non-biodegradable materials are not permitted.
	If the grave is not marked, how will people find it?
	Marking a grave is a personal choice. All grave locations will be surveyed and recorded on a digital plan. Our offices hold information relating to each grave on that digital plan and will be able to help you locate it. New graves will have logs placed on two sides which will be left in position for [Top]		three months to allow time for families to arrange for a memorial if required. At the end of this period the logs will be taken away to allow the graves to blend once again into the woodland floor.
	How will I know the crematorium is sending the ashes that belong to us?
	Each coffin is identified on arrival at the crematorium and an identification procedure is carried out throughout the cremation process. As each cremator will only accept one [Top]		coffin and the ashes must be withdrawn before the cremator is used again, all cremation ashes are kept separate.
	How do I know that building will not occur on the land once I'm buried?
	Official planning policies are particularly restrictive as to types of permitted development of land that has been used for burials. [Top]		When the Parks are full, the land is intended to revert to natural woodland and will be placed under the long-term protection of the Trust.
	Can ashes be buried loose or do they have to be in an urn?
	Ashes can be buried loose. If in a container, it must be made of biodegradable material eg. wood, willow, bamboo, cardboard. We have some examples of these for sale at the Colney Woodland Burial Park. [Top]
	Can photographs be taken at the funeral?
	Yes. If you would prefer for us to arrange this we will be happy to do so. We shall endeavour to supply satisfactory photographs but this cannot be guaranteed, as we are reliant on the weather and other factors. [Top]
	What sort of coffin is acceptable?
	In accordance with the conservation plans and woodland burial concept all coffins must be made of wood or other biodegradable materials. We will be unable to accept any metal caskets, zinc lined, or casket shapes. [Top]		Most coffins in a Funeral Directors’ standard range will be acceptable as well as cardboard, wicker, bamboo.
	What sort of conservation is being carried out at your Woodland Burial Parks?
	Successful long term management of the woodland depends on a continual process of renewal and rejuvenation by thinning, felling, planting and nurturing new trees. Our woodlands are home to a variety of regional flora and fauna and there is already evidence that the work carried out will be beneficial, with considerable increases in the range of birds, wildflowers and other species. [Top]		As part of the ongoing management of the wood, only certain varieties of wildflowers will be encouraged to grow in those areas where conditions are suitable. Our grounds people will carry out all planting schemes.
	How long can we have for the burial?
	We allow a minimum of 2 hours for every funeral service. We have a commitment to make available to mourners such time and privacy as they need. [Top]		When arrangements for the funeral are made, we will discuss with you the time you are likely to need and plan accordingly.
	What happens if people who want to attend a funeral or visit have limited mobility?
	We have chauffeured buggies available to transport visitors around our Woodland Burial Parks. [Top]
	How do your Woodland Burial Parks compare with other green/woodland burial sites?
	Our Woodland Burial Parks are situated within beautiful mature woodland settings, whereas many green burial sites are situated on open land where trees are only planted at the time of burial. In addition, we pride ourselves in offering superb facilities such as our halls, caring staff, and secure sites. The management and staff of the Parks are committed to maintaining and progressively improving the existing woodland. [Top]		We complement our responsible environmental policies by working in close, co-operative partnership with local Funeral Directors, so that the deceased, their families and friends receive the very best of attention at all stages of what can be a very sad and difficult time.
	Will you have a book of remembrance?
	Yes, we have a book of remembrance at each of our burial parks. [Top]
	Is the ground consecrated?
	No, but the grave may be blessed if you wish. [Top]
	Can people be buried together?
	Yes, our plots can all be prepared to a double depth, to accommodate two burials. They may be used for single occupancy if required. [Top]
	Can dogs be taken into your Woodland Burial Parks?
	Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead. Please make use of the bins provided for clearing up behind dogs. [Top]
	Must there be a religious ceremony?
	No, people may choose a non-religious service. Our Woodland Burial Parks welcome people of all religions, and those with no religious faith. [Top]
	Will you be able to organise catering?
	Yes. Families often like to offer their guests refreshments after the funeral. We will be able to arrange buffet style catering in our gathering hall or at an alternative nearby venue. [Top]
	Can personal effects be buried in the grave?
	Yes, we will try and accommodate personal wishes within reason. Again, these should ideally be made from biodegradable materials. [Top]
	Can friends or family carry the coffin?
	Yes, this is best discussed with your Funeral Director as care and skill is required. [Top]
	Can flowers be left on the grave?
	Yes. Cut flowers may be laid on the grave, however, cellophane and ribbons must be removed. When they start to deteriorate staff will remove them. [Top]		Funeral tributes will also be removed after a few days. No containers may be left on the grave, but we are able to supply wooden vases, which can be sunk into the ground.
	Pages within this section: [FAQ's] Other pages within this site: [Home] [The Concept] [The History] [Family Feedback] [Colney Woodland Burial Park] [Epping Forest Burial Park] [Chiltern Woodland Burial Park]