WOODLAND BURIALS
The Natural Burial Woodland is situated at the top of Arnos Vale Cemetery adjacent to Arnos Park in Bristol. The natural five-acre woodland coombe was originally used as an orchard space by the Victorian owners. The orchard has grown naturally over time to become a wildlife haven for many birds and animals and offers a peaceful space for those wishing to have a more natural final resting place.
A natural burial is simply the choice to be buried in an environmentally friendly, natural woodland setting rather than a traditional cemetery plot.
Burials must take place in coffins or shrouds made of sustainable biodegradable materials such as woven materials (bamboo, willow, seagrass, wool) and cardboard. You don't need to use a coffin; many people prefer to use a shroud.
Arnos Vale's Natural Burial Woodland is an extension to Arnos Vale Cemetery, both are managed by the Arnos Vale Cemetery (Charitable) Trust. It's also a member of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds.
To contact our Cemetery Services Manager, please email vanessa.spencer@arnosvale.org.uk.
Anyone can have a natural woodland burial
The ground in the woodland is open to everyone. We embrace people of all beliefs, persuasions or values. If you'd like a consecrated grave (grave usually dedicated as sacred by a specific religion) then please enquire with our Cemetery Services Manager as we may have these types of graves elsewhere in the cemetery.
We may allow the pre-purchase of graves in the woodland if there are extenuating circumstances. However, pre-purchase only secures a grave in the woodland and not a specific area within the woodland. We don't offer double depth graves for environmental reasons.
Interment of Ashes
We have spaces available for the burial of ashes on the slopes above the grave areas. The plots are available for one set of ashes contained in a sustainable biodegradable casket made of materials such as woven materials (bamboo, willow, seagrass, wool) and cardboard. We're happy to inter ashes without a casket. Please note that the ashes interment areas may be steeper than the burial areas, so may not be as accessible if you wish to have a ceremony. Small ceremonies can be conducted in the lower part of the woodland.
Thank you for going above and beyond
the call of duty to ensure that
my late Husband's life was celebrated
HT 2018
Using a Funeral Director
Most families employ a funeral director to help them with organising a funeral. Funeral directors check availability with the cemetery, coordinate the funeral and bring your loved one here and to the natural burial ground. We can provide you with a list of local funeral directors or liaise with a funeral director of your choice.
Some families choose to organise the funeral themselves without a funeral director. If this is what you decide to do, there’ll be a staff member to greet you on arrival on the day of the funeral once you've made arrangements with the cemetery. We’re not funeral directors so are not able to arrange transportation, refrigeration or carrying.
To contact our Cemetery Service Manager, please email vanessa.spencer@arnosvale.org.uk.
You can also hold a funeral, reception or wake here.
