Secular and Environmentally Friendly Funerals
National Resources
The Natural Death Centre
Is a social entrepreneurial, educational charity giving advice on all aspects of dying, bereavement and consumer rights in this area. Also give support on family-organised and environmentally-friendly funerals.
"We believe that death lies at the heart of our humanity, that within it are great opportunities for personal and social growth, and that if we so wish, we should be encouraged and helped to face it on our own terms without the mediation of a doctor, priest or funeral director."
Website resources include listings of natural burial grounds, celebrants and downloadable leaflets on arranging funerals ranging from burial on private ground to sources of natural, handpainted or willow coffins and urns.
The Natural Death Centre
6 Blackstock Mews
Blackstock Road
London
N4 2BT
Tel: 01962 712 690
Website: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk
The Natural Death Handbook
Josefine Speyer and Stephanie Wienrich. Paperback 382 pages (4th edition, 2003). Publisher: Rider; ISBN: 1844132269. 5th Edition due out Spring 2012
Synopsis:
More and more people today want to organize at least part of a
funeral for themselves, without depending on funeral directors. This
text shows the reader how to do everything from ordering a coffin to
hiring a horse-drawn hearse to finding a woodland burial ground. The fifth edition is a revised and expanded three book boxed set.
Available From:
The Natural Death Centre
6 Blackstock Mews
Blackstock Road
London
N4 2BT
Tel: 01962 712 690
Website: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk
The Dead Good Funerals Book
(Dead Good Guides). Sue Gill, John Fox. Paperback. Revised 2004. Publisher: Engineers of the Imagination.
Synopsis:
This book empowers you to take control of the funeral process. It
clearly tells you what's fixed and what's flexible. It's a challenging
and practical manual crammed with powerful anecdotes which will enable
you to design a ceremony either for yourself or a loved one.
Available From:
Engineers of the Imagination
Welfare State International
The Ellers
Ulverston
Cumbria
LA12 OAA
Tel: 01229 581127
Website: http://www.welfare-state.org/pages/publications.htm
Ecological Funerals
Including wicker coffins, urns and so on.
Website: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=coffins-and-urns-2
Some environmentally friendly funeral companies.
Website: http://www.greenendings.co.uk/countrywide.htm
Resources in Cumbria
Carlisle cemetery - for more information see Carlisle City Council website http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/advice_and_benefits/deaths,_funerals__cremations/cemeteries__crematorium.aspx
Tel: 01228 625310
Wooded parkland, herons, wildlife.
Will arrange funerals directly with families.
Support woodland burial, burial by family, member of Nature reserve
burial grounds
.
Carlisle crematorium
Tel: 01228 625310
Grounds have peace garden, monthly gardens planted to a seasonal
pattern, woods or a memorial wall.
Other woodland burial sites in Cumbria:
Dalton Woodland Burial Ground, Burton-In-Kendal, Cumbria
Meadow Burials, Workington, Cumbria
Woodland Burial ground, Barrow cemetery, Cumbria
Celebrants/people with skills in creating meaningful rites of passage:
Interfaith ministers
Website: http://www.interfaithfoundation.org/content/find-minister
British Humanist Association
Website: http://www.humanism.org.uk/ceremonies
Institute of Civil Funerals
Website: http://www.humanism.org.uk/ceremonies
Dead good guides
The Beach House
Swinstead Lane
Baycliff
Ulverston
Cumbria LA12 9RY
Tel: 01229 869769 e-mail foxandgill@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.deadgoodguides.com
Can help link with appropriate celebrants/creation of service.
Interfaith Ministers in Cumbria:
Steve Wright
Interfaith Minister (based in Mungrisedale, nr Penrith)
Tel: 017687 79000
Email: steve@sacredspace.org.uk
Website: http://www.sacredspace.org.uk
Tim Pickles
Interfaith Minister (based in Keswick, Cumbria)
Tel: 017687 72354
Website: http://www.thelki.org.uk/
© Dr Eileen Palmer 2003
Updated March 2012