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A woodland burial network for the bereaved

Adapted from letters and a leaflet sent to the Natural Death Centre.

A nationwide network of local groups called Friends of Woodland Glades is being formed to bring together those families and friends who have made use of a woodland burial ground. Taking the original Friends group in Essex as an example, the one centred on the Maldon woodland burial ground, activities for group members can include:

  • Establishing bark pathways within the woodland.

  • Assisting with the annual day of dedication. Each year, a day of dedication is offered to family and friends of the deceased, which involved them in the planting of trees and bulbs, with refreshments served afterwards in the chapel.

  • Providing assistance with the placing of woodland memorial seats.

  • Assisting with the aftercare of tree plantings.

  • Providing additional planting days for bulbs.

  • Providing talks to people on a variety of topics.

    Such a group offers the opportunity for the development of friendship between people who have been brought together through bereavement and through an interest in the woodland burial concept.

    'A group offers the opportunity for the development of friendship between people who have been brought together through bereavement'

    Each group will have its own committee. In Maldon, the district council's role has been very much in the background, providing meeting rooms, materials and the printing of newsletters.

    There is no subscription fee, but any group would have to pay for its own outings or out-of-pocket expenses.

    In due course, there could be a network magazine.

    David Lobb, the Cemeteries and Parks Development Officer at Maldon District Council, seems to have been the key person behind this imaginative initiative and he is happy to accept enquiries from other woodland burial sites wishing to set up such groups. The Maldon group is refining its constitution which can be made available to other groups for adapting to their needs.

    David Lobb, the Cemeteries and Parks Development Officer, Maldon District Council, Princess Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 5DL (tel 01621 854477; fax 01621 852575).

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