The Park Extensive research and in-depth consultation with landscape and wildlife experts has led to the creation of an environmentally friendly burial ground at Epping Forest Burial Park, in North Weald, near Epping in Essex. The woodland is part of the remnants of the former Royal Forest, and is situated on a gently sloping ridge of land at the northern end of the Gaynes Park Estate. Specialist management techniques is helping to restore the woodland to a diverse coppice with broadleaf native trees and a profusion of natural woodland species, such as bluebells and foxgloves, are swiftly developing. Birds and woodland animal species are being encouraged, with bird boxes and bat boxes used throughout the Park. The Park offers an appealing and meaningful alternative to conventional burial and cremation choices. It provides both for the bereaved, and for those who wish to plan for the future during their own lifetime. Family or friends can select and purchase a specific plot at Epping Forest Burial Park at the time of need. Alternatively, purchasers can secure the resting place of their choice during their own lifetime, relieving their family of the burden and cost of making arrangements later.
	Epping Forest Burial Park has a mature woodland landscape and this, together with the level and range of services offered (including secure Trust arrangements), ensures that the Park differs in important ways from other woodland burial sites. The management is committed to maintaining the Park as an area of natural beauty. The principles on which the site has been established have been developed in close association with Epping Forest Council's Planning and Landscape officers, with a view to ensuring the site remains a healthy woodland at all times. The Park is a haven for wildlife and natural plant growth, reinforcing the concept of renewal of life. Everything in the park is biodegradable. Wooden memorials in English oak are permitted and will, over decades, return to the soil. Stone monuments are not permitted. Purchasing a burial plot includes a lease up to 2104. At Epping Forest Burial Park, we welcome people of all beliefs and offer a highly dedicated service, working closely with funeral directors, clergy and other organisations to ensure that services are dignified and respectful. We offer a highly personal and professional service, and our staff are happy to take you around the park and offer further information. There is buggy transport for those with limited mobility. Our aim is to ensure that personal wishes are expressed, and to offer the perfect environment for quiet contemplation and remembrance of loved ones. We warmly welcome visitors to walk through the woodland; and ask that all visitors abide by the few regulations, laid down in order to protect its natural beauty and in respect for those who will be laid to rest here. The Woodland Following the consultation of historical maps and literature, and considering the species present in the woodland, it seems likely that at least parts of the woodland qualify as ancient (defined as woodland that has existed continuously since 1600AD or earlier). As the site has not been managed for some time, we have the opportunity to increase its ecological value by introducing a range of management techniques and encouraging more species to populate the woodland. The woodland was used commercially and it is made up of a number of compartments, in which different species of tree dominate. There are conifer plantations (including species such as Douglas fir, Scots pine, western hemlock and western red cedar), as well as large areas of sweet chestnut trees that have been coppiced (cut at ground level to encourage new shoots). These areas are very densely planted and so we are introducing management plans to encourage biodiversity. Our own coppicing regime is providing us with wood to chip, which we use to heat our buildings, and to make paths. There are also areas of semi-natural broadleaf woodland, which include species such as hornbeam, birch, aspen and oak. There are some beautiful old oak trees in some of the denser areas of woodland, and we are gradually opening up around these trees in order to give them more light and space to grow. The older hornbeams, with their distinctive gnarled, patterned trunks, are among the most interesting and enchanting trees in the woodland. One corner of the wood was formerly grassland, as may be indicated by the presence of cowslips in this area. Wildlife at Epping Forest Burial Park Epping Forest Burial Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates. The mammals in the wood include grey squirrel, rabbit and common pipistrelle bat, while fallow and muntjac deer can be seen in the surrounding area. Common toads dwell in old tree stumps and under logs, and common lizard and grass snake can be seen warming themselves in the morning sun. The creation of ponds in the woodland will encourage frogs, newts and other wetland species to breed here. The woodland birds include wren, robin, blackbird, chaffinch, blackcap, chiff chaff, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, treecreeper, nuthatch, tawny owl and both green and great spotted woodpeckers. Buzzards breed successfully in the area and can often be seen and heard hunting over the wood and surrounding farmland. Invertebrates include butterflies (e.g. speckled wood, red admiral and comma), dragonflies, spiders and beetles. The fallen and standing deadwood throughout the woodland provides an important habitat for many invertebrate species. We are introducing boxes as habitats for birds, bats and invertebrates, and we carry out regular surveys in order to assess the effectiveness of our ongoing work in the wood, and how it is affecting diversity and population numbers. The Woodland Cycle The following notes may help to give an understanding of how the woodland cycle works in relation to plants on the woodland floor. It demonstrates when plants can be anticipated and why at times there appears to be nothing going on. The plants listed are a selection from those that may be found at Epping Forest Burial Park. Winter - Early Spring There are no leaves on the trees, and so light levels on the woodland floor are good. The conditions are damp and as the soil starts to warm up, the first flowers begin to show. Typical flowers at this time are violets, wood anemones and dogs mercury. Late Spring The soil is still moist and continues to warm up, as daylight hours increase and the trees start to produce new leaves. The amount of light reaching the woodland floor is reduced but is sufficient for shade-tolerant varieties such as bluebells, stitchwort and ground ivy. Summer Trees are growing strongly and taking large amounts of moisture from the soil. The leaf cover continues to thicken rapidly, to a point where most of the woodland floor is in full shade. In these conditions only the shade-loving plants, including ferns and wood sage, will be seen. The woodland floor may have a 'bare' appearance at this time. On the edges of the woodland, and those areas where tree thinning or coppicing has been carried out, there is sufficient light for sun-loving plants such as foxglove, rosebay willowherb, red campion, nettles and germander speedwell. Autumn The reduction in daylight hours and lower air temperature starts the process of autumn colour and leaf drop. There are no woodland flowers ready to respond to these conditions; instead, various fungi can be seen along with berries, fruits and seeds. The evergreen rhododendrons may still be in flower and provide some colour amongst the fallen leaves. "There are no leaves on the trees. Light levels on the woodland floor are good. The conditions are damp and as the soil starts to warm up." Other factors to consider... Soil type The soil in Epping Forest Burial Park is characterised by a layer of thin, sandy clay over a silty, sandy, gravely clay. Geologically, the ground comprises alluvial deposits and claygate beds over London clay. Marsh plants As well as its woodland species, Epping Forest Burial Park contains some interesting grass and herb plants that are more commonly associated with acid grassland or marsh habitats; these include purple moor-grass, heath bedstraw, marsh bedstraw and bog stitchwort. Planting patterns Where conditions suit particular plants, they will establish themselves in clumps in random patterns. This is very different to our gardens at home, where many different varieties may be planted together in formal patterns to give interest.
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