Many people are rightly concerned about the environment today. We share that concern and so are keen to accommodate any environmentally-friendly elements to our funerals that might be requested by our clients.  One example of putting our concern for the environment into practice is to offer the Coffin Cover™ system instead of a traditional coffin.  Other ecologically-sound options in our range are the Bamboo, Willow and Pandan Eco Coffins.  Even if a family preferred to opt for a traditional coffin for cremation, we would always encourage them to choose something simple like the ‘Sussex’ coffin; we can see no sense in using a solid wood coffin for cremation.

If burial is preferred, there is the option in this part of East Sussex of laying a loved-one to rest in the Natural Burial Area at Hastings Borough Cemetery.  This is specially set aside for environmentally-friendly or 'green' funerals. This part of the Cemetery is designed to be a natural woodland area which will not be laid out in a formal manner with graves marked by headstones.  The following is a quote from Hastings Borough Council’s booklet entitled ‘Natural Burial in Hastings Cemetery - A Return To Nature’:-

“Hastings Borough Council shares the concern of many people at the loss of trees and the variety of threats to wildlife and also appreciates that burial facilities can be designed to offer many benefits to both whilst offering a greater choice for bereaved.

“The Natural Burial Section of Hastings Cemetery offers a resting place for those who would like to be buried with native trees and shrubs and among birds and wild flowers.  In other words a 'return to nature'.

“The Natural Burial graves are located at the North East end of the Cemetery on The Ridge, Hastings, with grave spaces available to provide a natural form of burial for many years hence.  The burial ground is bordered on 2 sides by established trees and sets of graves are located around a group of native shrubs surrounding a deciduous tree giving a permanent semi woodland ambience to this natural area.

“The graves have been accurately recorded on plans, each grave being numbered to enable location in the subsequent natural undergrowth.  All graves can be excavated to a double depth and arrangements exist for the reservation of an adjoining plot for those who wish to be buried beside other family members.

“In order to ensure that the Natural Burial area remains as natural as possible in every respect, only bio-degradable coffins will be permitted. These can include cardboard coffins subject to their being capable of conveying the body decently to the graveside and being lowered into the grave.

“After each funeral sufficient time must be permitted to allow soil settlement.  After that time grass together with wildflower seeds will be sown at a reasonable time of year.”

Woodland burials tend to be cheaper than a traditional burial, for two reasons: firstly, the coffin is very simple and, secondly, you are not obliged to purchase the burial rights to the plot (normally £505) as the rights ascribed to the graves can be held by the Cemetery Authorities.

We are happy to advise on all aspects of choosing a green funeral.

Our commitment to the environment goes further: in our range of traditional coffins we will no longer offer solid mahogany or mahogany veneer coffins. We have sought, and received, assurances from our suppliers that the hardwood used in our oak veneer and solid oak coffins comes from a properly-managed forestry source.