Burials
at Arnos Vale in the heart of Bristol
Opened in 1839, Arnos Vale Cemetery is a peaceful Victorian garden cemetery in the heart of Bristol, offering both traditional and natural woodland burials. It’s a unique place where remembrance, nature, history, and community come together.
Today, the cemetery is cared for by the Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, our aim is to ensure the cemetery retains its unique character.
Traditional Burials
A traditional burial at Arnos Vale offers a timeless and respectful way to lay a loved one to rest. These full burials, also known as casket burials, take place in traditional in-ground plots, where the coffin is interred in an earthen grave. Families may choose to hold full services at the graveside or opt for a direct burial only, depending on their wishes.
Traditional burial plots can usually accommodate up to two coffin burials and, in many cases, between two and four sets of ashes. Being laid to rest at Arnos Vale carries a strong sense of history and significance. Its peaceful, landscaped grounds provide a calm and respectful setting for remembrance. Many notable figures connected to Bristol are remembered here, including social reformer Mary Carpenter, orphanage founder George Müller, Indian reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, and James Hosken, captain of the steamships SS Great Western and SS Great Britain.
Traditional graves may include:
- New single- or double-depth plots
- Reuse of existing family plots (where applicable)
- Headstone referrals through your Funeral Director or our trusted local stonemason partners
Price: From £7500
Pre-purchase
We are unable to offer the pre-purchase of graves or cremation plots for future planning. However, there are various pre-payment plan options available through local funeral directors, should you wish to explore these or prefer to set aside funds for future arrangements. If you have a life-limiting illness and would like to discuss available options, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Memorial Options
A traditional memorial headstone, often accompanied by stone kerbs and a vase, may be placed to commemorate a loved one. We encourage designs that reflect and respect the historic character of the cemetery. Together, these elements create a dignified and meaningful tribute—becoming a lasting place of remembrance, where loved ones can visit, reflect, and honour a life lived.
Natural burial woodland
Our Natural Burial Woodland lies in a peaceful, five-acre wildlife coombe next to Arnos Park, Bristol. Once a Victorian orchard, it has evolved into a tranquil haven for birds and animals—a fitting final resting place for those who seek a more environmentally friendly burial. We are proud to be the only natural burial site in Bristol and the surrounding area.
What to expect:
- Graves in a serene, natural woodland setting
- Biodegradable coffins or shrouds only (e.g. willow, bamboo, wool, cardboard)
- No double-depth graves (to preserve ecological balance)
- Interment of ashes in designated areas using biodegradable caskets or without a container
This woodland is open to people of all beliefs and backgrounds. While natural graves are not consecrated, consecrated options may be available elsewhere in the cemetery—please ask.
Price: From £3995
We are unable to offer the pre-purchase of graves or cremation plots, but local funeral directors can provide pre-payment plans or other options. If you have a life-limiting illness, please contact us to discuss available arrangements.
Arnos Vale’s Natural Burial Woodland is part of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds and is managed by the Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust.
Ashes Interments
We offer ashes interment in natural woodland plots located on the slopes above the grave area. These plots accommodate one set of ashes in a biodegradable container or directly into the earth. Please note:
- These areas may be on steeper ground, so access may be limited
- Small ceremonies can be held in flatter, more accessible areas below
We are unable to offer the pre-purchase of cremation plots, but local funeral directors can provide pre-payment plans or other options. If you have a life-limiting illness, please contact us to discuss available arrangements.
Funeral services & ceremonies
Arnos Vale is not only a place of rest, but also of remembrance. You can hold:
-
Funeral services
-
Receptions
-
Wakes
All within our historic chapels and reception spaces.
Working with a Funeral Director
Most families choose to work with a funeral director to coordinate arrangements and transport. Your Funeral Director will:
- Check burial availability with us
- Organise logistics
- Assist with headstones and legal documentation
We’re happy to provide a list of trusted local funeral directors. If you choose to arrange the funeral yourself, we will support you with guidance and have a staff member on hand for the day of the service. Please note that we are not licensed funeral directors and are not able to assist with transport, refrigeration or carrying.
Additional Services
We also offer:
- Grave location & record searches – from £20
- Grave care services – from £95 (following a record search)
- Transfer of grave ownership – £150
The living and the dead,
The awake and the sleeping,
The young and the old
are all one and the same.
HERACLITUS
We're here to help
Our Cemetery Services team is here to guide you through every step with sensitivity and care.
