Natural Burial: An increasingly popular choice

Debby
May 9, 2024
5 min read

Imagine: a soft breeze caressing your face as you walk through a forest full of centuries-old trees. The sun's rays shine through the canopy, creating a magical play of light on the ground. Birds whistle their song and in the distance you can hear rippling water. In this oasis of peace and nature experience you will find your final resting place.

What is natural burial?

Natural burial is a unique way to say goodbye and return to the essence of life. It is an eternal resting place in harmony with nature. Natural burial is also an increasingly popular alternative to burial in a traditional cemetery. This can be done with a burial shroud and also with a natural casket.

⭐︎ Because it is impossible to write for all countries, from here I tried to give a general description as possible. The Netherlands serve sometimes as an exampe.

What are the advantages of Natural Burial?

There are many advantages to natural burial, such as:

Peace and nature experience: The final resting place is located in a beautiful, natural environment. Nature provides a feeling of peace and comfort. There is room for mourning and reflection in a serene environment.

Sustainability: Natural burial is an ecological and sustainable choice. The nature at a natural cemetery is protected and preserved. No materials that are harmful to the environment are used. Nature can take its course and a new ecosystem is created.

Future-oriented: Because natural burial contributes to the preservation of natural areas, it is a future-oriented way of dealing with death.

Freedom in choices: There is a lot of freedom in the design of the funeral ceremony. Relatives can use their own rituals and symbols.

Emotional benefits: The natural environment can provide comfort to the bereaved. The symbolism of returning to nature can be healing. It can give a feeling of connection with nature.

Eternal grave rest: Your place in nature is usually forever. You choose your spot, you have no further burial rights and no grave clearing ever takes place. Here is eternal rest.

One-time costs: The grave rest period varies by cemetery. At least 20 years, but usually forever. Unlike a traditional cemetery, there are no costs for maintenance or renewal of burial rights. The costs are paid in one go. Ttis means no worries for relatives: They do not have to worry about the maintenance of the grave in the future. In The Netherlands Natuurmonumenten (Dutch nature conservation organization) keeps an eye on things, but nature mainly takes care of this.

A beautiful, loving and natural farewell: Natural burial is may be the most loving and comforting way of burial. With beautiful farewell flowers, rituals and symbols in the middle of the circle of life: nature 🎀.

Simple and austere: There are no gravestones or other grave monuments. The focus is on nature and the memory of the deceased. This can give a feeling of peace and space.

In addition to the advantages, there are unfortunately also some disadvantages to natural burial:

The choice of natural burial is not (yet) possible in all municipalities.
Not all religions allow natural burial.
Other options are needed for personalization of the grave resting place.

Natural burial memorials: meaningful ways to remember a loved one

Nature

Nature offers a wealth of materials for unique memorials. Think of a beautiful wooden tree disk with the name of the deceased engraved on it or seashells. Or a boulder with a special meaning, surrounded by moss and ferns. Prefer something more elegant? Then choose a butterfly stone (a stone with a butterfly motif) or wooden elements in a favorite or symbolic shape such as a heart or butterfly 🦋. A birdhouse is also very loving.

Personalized memories

A memorial does not necessarily have to be an object. A poem or quote is also possible. Have a photo engraved on a smooth stone or make a collage with precious memories. Or create a wind chime with seashells that gently jingle as the wind blows.

Give it a place at home

A special place can also be created at home to commemorate your loved one. Like a memorial corner in the garden with a beautiful plant or statue. Create a photo album or collage with precious moments. Or make a donation to a charity in the name of the deceased.

The possibilities are endless. Unleash your creativity and choose a memorial that suits the person who will be commemorated. This way you keep the memory alive, in a way that suits you and your loved ones.

Finding your perfect natural cemetery

With a natural burial you can decide in advance what your eternal place will be. If you want to be buried, you can walk around at a natural cemetery to choose your eternal grave. Such as that beautiful tree or with a view of a drinking spot for animals. You are then like in a fairy tale among the deer, squirrels and other animals. The choice can also be made afterwards, after the death by a surviving relative. This is usually one or two days after the death of a loved one.

Where is space for natural burials?

Like in The Netherlands there is more and more space for natural burial. In recent years, the popularity of this method of burial has increased significantly, and more and more natural cemeteries have been added.

Most natural cemeteries are found in wooded areas. But there are also more and more natural cemeteries in other areas, such as dunes, heathland and polders. Natural burial is a sustainable way of burial, because no coffins or headstones are used. The body is buried in a burial shroud mostly on a bier or in a natural wooden coffin.

A Natural Burial: Honoring the Loved One and Nature

I hope you have a good idea of natural burial. Natural burial is a beautiful way to return to nature and to contribute to the conservation of nature. It is a valuable legacy for people and nature. Here is a summary of the most important differences:

Nature Burial vs. General Burial:

Feature	Nature Burial	General Burial
Location	Nature reserve	Cemetery
Grave Type	Simple grave, without a headstone but more natural options	Grave with headstone, urn grave, or vault
Cost	Average between €2,500 and €5,000 one-time (comparable to a traditional burial)	Varies by municipality, including grave rights, burial costs, and headstone cost
Maintenance	Maintained by nature	Maintained by relatives
Sustainability	Minimal environmental impact	Uses materials like stone and concrete
Feeling	Peace and nature experience	Traditional funeral culture
Regulations	Strict regulations for materials and planting	More freedom in choices
Future	Increasing popularity	Decreasing popularity

A loving and good farewell creates lasting and comforting memories. It is good to think about this in advance. What you want before, during and on the day of the farewell itself. You can record this in a wish booklet (like Last Wishes List) or it may also be available online from your funeral director.

Who knows, you may now discover that natural burial is much more suitable for you. It offers a unique and valuable way to say goodbye to a loved one. The benefits in terms of tranquility, nature experience, sustainability, simplicity, freedom and comfort make it an increasingly attractive option for many. If you want to explore the possibilities, contact a natural cemetery in your region and be inspired by the beauty of nature 🌸