Herefordshire’s first green burial ground, which nestles in peaceful North Herefordshire, has this week reached its 500th burial.
Humber Woodland of Remembrance is set in open countryside four miles from Leominster, and has been transformed from the arable field it once was into a native woodland. Before it opened in 2003, over 1600 trees were planted and these now give shape to the young woodland and shelter to the new trees, which continue to be planted as burials take place. In addition to trees, graves are marked by the planting of native wildflowers.
When Diane Thomas opened Humber Woodland in 2003 there weren’t many of its kind in the country, green burial is a relatively new, but growing concept in the UK. It is intended to fill the need for an alternative, environmentally sensitive form of burial, where graves are marked by trees or wild flowers, rather than headstones.
According to The Natural Death Centre ‘People often assume that cremation is the greener option, that in choosing it over burial they are keeping valuable land free from unnecessary use. Cremation might solve the problem of ‘what do we do with the body’ by reducing it to a small container of ‘cremated remains’ – or ground up bone, to be precise, but it is definitely not a green choice.
One cremation uses as much energy in the form of gas and electricity as a 500 mile car trip, and releases a staggering 400 kilos of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, not to mention mercury vapour and other pollutants.’
Diane explains, ‘With the recent COP26 Climate Summit in mind, we should all be thinking of how we can reduce our impact on the environment. Green burial is considered to be a more environmentally friendly option and we believe it is preferable to be buried in a simple, environmentally friendly coffin in a beautiful and peaceful place. If a tree is also planted over the grave, this helps to absorb some of the harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. We welcome people to come and visit and see Humber Woodland for themselves’.
Humber Woodland of Remembrance has been recognised as being natural, beautiful and peaceful. Feedback from families is that Diane’s approach is ‘first class, empathetic and gentle’ and ‘kind and understanding’.
Earlier in 2021 Diane was delighted to have been awarded The Best Natural Burial Ground in the West Midlands (awarded by the Association of Natural Burial Grounds), for the third year. Winners of The People’s Awards are selected based on feedback from families who have their loved ones buried at Natural Burial Grounds across the country. The judge from the Association of Natural Burial Grounds considered feedback from many families. Humber Woodland consistently received exceptional feedback from families, who described the level of customer care as ‘personal’, ‘excellent’ and said they ‘highly recommend it’.
On reaching 500 burials Diane commented ‘I am pleased that Humber Woodland is received so well by the families that choose it. We hope we can help them at what is a very difficult time.’
A shelter was built on the site in March 2020 just as Covid hit the UK, and it has allowed families to hold services onsite in all weather. It has been especially useful during the last 18 months as restrictions have made indoor funeral services difficult. Diane explains ‘We have so much space here, families can be socially distanced outside, taking as much time as they need. We are guided by each family and try to support them through a difficult time as best we can’. Photo: Diane Thomas at Humber Woodland of Remembrance
