Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Funeral Choices

Increased Sustainable Choice

Sustainability has become an important consideration for many families planning a funeral. As awareness of environmental impact grows, people increasingly seek choices that reflect their values and protect the natural world when planning a family funeral.

At AB Walker, we have seen a steady rise in requests for more eco-friendly options, and we are committed to supporting families with clear information and sustainable alternatives that cover burials and cremations for many faiths

Natural and Biodegradable Coffins

Biodegradable coffins made from materials such as willow, bamboo, or sustainably sourced wood have become popular with families who want a gentler environmental footprint.

Our willow coffins, handmade using traditional weaving techniques, offer a beautiful and environmentally respectful choice.

For more information about the craft behind willow coffins, the Somerset Willow Company is widely recognised for its sustainable approach.

Natural Burial Grounds

Natural burial grounds provide an alternative to traditional cemeteries. These settings prioritise wildlife, biodiversity and minimal environmental disruption to deliver the service and resting ground sustainably.

Families often choose:
• Woodland burials
• Meadow or wildflower burials
• Sites with no permanent memorials, allowing nature to flourish

Burials in these locations are ideal if you like the idea of the body giving back to the Earth once the person who has died has no more need of it. These burials are as equally respectful and dignified as other burials. They can follow a more traditional religious or non-religious ceremony, but hint at the lifestyle and principles of the person who has died with this choice of their final resting place. Within around two years, the body of the person who has died will return to the soil, nourishing the ground and helping trees and plants to grow in the future.

There are over 200 natural burial sites in the UK; these are thoughtfully kept to look like wildflower meadows or forests and whilst they are designed to be serene, calming places, it’s wise to visit beforehand to ensure you feel good about the site. We’ve collated a list of local natural burial sites for you to research and visit.

Local authorities across Berkshire and Oxfordshire provide designated natural burial areas. Our local natural burial sites are:

Aylesbury Vale Natural Burial Meadow
Owlswick, Aylesbury

GreenAcres Chiltern
Beaconsfield

Henley-on-Thames Woodland Burial Ground,
Rotherfield Greys

Ibworth Woodlands Burial Ground
Ramsdell, Basingstoke

Sheepdrove Natural Burial Wood
Lambourn

Minimising Carbon Footprint

At AB Walker, we actively work to reduce carbon emissions associated with funeral arrangements through:
• Efficient transport routes & utilising our electric fleet of funeral cars.
• Sourcing sustainable materials
• Reducing energy usage
• Recycling and minimising waste operationally

Sustainable funeral planning is not only about individual choices but about funeral directors taking responsibility for their wider environmental impact to help preserve the planet.

Eco-Friendly Memorialisation

More families are choosing environmentally conscious forms of memorialisation, including:
• Planting memorial trees
• Dedications through the Woodland Trust
• Biodegradable urns for natural settings
• Memorial gardens that encourage biodiversity

Sustainable Floral Tributes

Eco-friendly floral options include:
• Locally grown, seasonal flowers
• Floral arrangements without plastic foam (oasis)
• Wildflower seed packets for guests
• Living plants instead of cut flowers

These choices reduce waste and support local growers.

Digital Options

Online memorial pages, digital funeral order-of-service files and livestreaming of funeral services help reduce travel and paper usage. While digital options will never replace human presence, they can complement a personalised and environmentally conscious funeral.

Creating a Funeral That Reflects Your Values

A sustainable funeral does not mean compromising on meaning or dignity. Instead, it offers ways to honour a loved one while caring for the world they leave behind & our team is always available to discuss eco-friendly options.
Visit our sustainability section or browse our coffin choices here:
Green and natural burials explained | AB Walker
https://www.abwalker.co.uk/product-category/coffins/willow-coffins/