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Christian worship, sermons, prayer and Bible study from St. Mark's Church and Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford, England - The world is our parish |
St
Albans Woodland
Burial
On Monday 14 August 2006 St Mark's Church received planning permission for a woodland burial ground at Keysoe in Bedfordshire. Consecration of the took place on 7 June at 2.00pm by the Bishop of Bedford.
We have created a sacred space to allow burial in a way which cares and does not cause harm to the environment. The special feature of this burial ground is that it is consecrated, providing the only Christian burial site available in this area to which everybody has access. All other consecrated areas for burial are in churchyards with strict policies which restrict burial to people living in villages.
To receive more information please email us at St Mark's Church or contact St Mark's Church office Tel: +44 1234 342613
| Download a copy
of our booklet Download a copy of out tri-fold leaflet Download a copy of directions from Bedford Download a copy of our funeral booking form (Funeral Directors) |
As featured on BBC Three Counties Radio
Visit the Arbory Trust Woodland Burial Site at Barton, Cambridge
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What is woodland burial ?Experience shows that a woodland burial ground soon becomes a treasured part of a community, there is great appreciation for something which is beneficial for everybody concerned. People have asked me whether at Keysoe we will be taking people from all over the country. Such a question misses the point of what we are doing, and probably fails to realise how expensive such a funeral would be! The intention is not to take people from far and wide, rather we want to encourage the concept of woodland burial, so that all over the country new consecrated woodland burial grounds are made available. Other Dioceses of the Church of England have expressed interest and my sincere hope is that we can eventually have dozens of woodland burial grounds across the country.
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Our existing Church of England woodland burial site at Barton in Cambridge
gives us a clear indication of how things are going to be. Traffic is
minimal, funerals are very quiet affairs and most people don't even realise
when they have taken place. The woodland involves people who care about the
countryside and the environment and there is widespread appreciation for
what is being achieved.
I was so pleased when approval was granted for a woodland burial
site in Keysoe. Imagine my dismay when somebody said to me ‘I don’t know
what all the fuss is about, when I go just stick me in a wheelie bin.’ I
reminded the person concerned that you cannot dispose of bodies in wheelie
bins. Each of us must make a choice, or have the choice made for us, of what
will happen to our bodies when we die - and wheelie bins are just not
allowed.
Cremation is the choice of most people, but we need to know that it
is done at a terrible cost to the environment. Cremation is responsible for
airborne mercury emissions, atmospheric dioxins and pollutants linked with
cancer and other illnesses. There is growing pressure on government and
local authorities to behave in an environmentally sustainable way. Burning
bodies uses precious fuels, creating greenhouse gases – cremation is
definitely not the answer for those care about the planet and those they
leave behind!
The alternative choice for most people involves traditional cemeteries.
However this form of burial has resulted in vast amounts of land becoming
covered with long rows of graves. Many of these cemeteries are reaching
capacity and the sight of vandalism and dilapidated headstones is a poor
tribute to our loved ones. The much better alternative is woodland burial.
People are buried without gravestones, in managed woodland areas and the
result is a nature reserve which enhances the environment rather than
destroying it.
It was Princess Diana who brought the idea of woodland burial into
the minds of many people, and support has been growing steadily since. The
Diocese of Ely consecrated a woodland burial site in Cambridgeshire in 2002.
In the same year the synod of The Diocese of St Albans enthusiastically
encouraged the setting up of a woodland burial site. Approval has now been
granted for the creation of such a woodland burial site in Keysoe. This
burial site will be consecrated by the Church of England and the proposals
have received support from across the Christian churches. Consecration is
very important to us because it sets a place apart as sacred space. It also
means that the site will have the greatest protection afforded in British
law. The woodland burial ground at Keysoe will be the only consecrated
burial ground available to the general public in Bedfordshire.
Over the period of our lives we use up a vast amount of natural resources.
Woodland burial is a way of acknowledging that fact and trying to put
something back into the environment that has sustained us throughout our
lives. In this country we have sadly lost much of our natural woodland and
from an environmental standpoint it is becoming increasingly important that
we not only preserve what is left of our natural world, but where possible
create new havens for wildlife.
Professor David Bellamy is an enthusiastic supporter, he said " I can think
of no better way of celebrating the continuity of creation than becoming
part of a tree in a piece of countryside destined to become woodland, full
of wild flowers, wildlife and birdsong, forever and ever, Amen"
Throughout the centuries the Christian church has offered care and comfort
to the dying and bereaved. This experience will be brought to bear in
ensuring that the woodland burial ground at Keysoe is a lasting memorial to
those who choose to be buried there. Those making this choice will be asked
to have coffins made of natural materials. Contrary to the ignorance
surrounding woodland burial, cardboard is hardly ever used and natural wood
is an ideal choice. Many people are surprised to learn that coffins destined
for cremation and ordinary burial are usually made of plastics and synthetic
veneers. These are unsuitable for woodland burial since they are not
environmentally friendly and do not naturally decompose in the ground. We
will work with funeral directors to ensure that people who choose woodland
burial are able to have a real wood coffin or another natural alternative
such as willow or wicker. Once laid to rest, relatives may choose to mark
the grave with a wooden plaque which will biodegrade over a period of years.
Of course all graves will be discreetly recorded so that their location can
be determined exactly.
Everybody will be welcome at the woodland burial ground, those with
Christian faith, those from other faiths, and people who may have no faith
at all. They will all be united in one important truth, they will have
chosen not to share in practices which cause damage to the environment.
Instead they will share in leaving behind something that will be of lasting
benefit for our children and grandchildren and for generations to come.
If you would like to be sent additional information please complete the form below, send an email to woodland@thisischurch.com or telephone our office on 01234 342613
If you would like us to send you more details, please complete your details below
Click on the images below for bigger pictures
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