Natural Burial sites in West Wales and beyond…

Natural burial areas may be woodland, meadow, orchards, sustainably managed farmland or a combination of them. Different burial areas will have varying rules such as only biodegradable coffins and shrouds, no embalming (sometimes called hygienic treatment) and single depth only. Allowable memorials will vary also; they may be trees, wooden markers or no marking permitted at all. There will often be rules around planting, plastics, cellophane, wires, oasis etc with regard to floral tributes. Sites may not be mown and manicured in the “traditional way” and may feel wild and sometimes muddy, but most times beautiful. It is useful to understand these regulations and of how the site is managed and maintained and to see if that is a choice that feels really right or if that feels limiting for you and your family. It can be useful to speak with the staff and it can be also really good to visit the sites, as the feel of them can vary so much, and photos on websites can be misleading! Prices are from about £1000 upwards I have tried to list below as best as I can some options I know of in the West Wales area. (I am not affiliated to any of these natural burial sites, I am just keen to share information and make it easily accessible! Information was updated March 2019)

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Natural Burial Ground has recently opened their burial meadow just outside Keeston near Haverfordwest.

There is a commmunity group working towards setting up a green burial site in the Preseli area.

Carmarthenshire

Bargoed Natural Burial Ground , Saron (equidistant between Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul) – are an independent burial site in North West Carmarthenshire. the burial ground is part of a farm that has been managed mainly for wildlife for 30 years. They are keen environmentalists, and the fields were planted with native trees surrounding circular wildflower meadows. They belong to the ANBG (Association of Natural Burial Grounds)

Llanelli District Cemetery has a small token woodland burial section in a clearing of mature pine trees. It is a section within a larger traditional graveyard in an urban area.

Ceridigion

There are no green or woodland burial sites in Ceridigion that I am aware of. Aberystwyth Crematorium had a woodland burial section, but this is currently not in use as work is being carried out.

Swansea

On the Mumbles, Oystermouth Cemetery have a woodland burial section as part of a large Victorian graveyard that looks out to sea. It has a wild beauty to it, and the graves are marked with a simple wood round.

Further afield in Wales

Beacons Park – Merthyr Tydfil- This burial ground is a sloped large field near the Breacon Beacons. There are no grave markers, so it is an open space.

Boduan Sanctuary Wood – Pwllheli – this is owned by Eternal Forest Trust charity and is quite unique in that the burial plots are in established woodland. They belong to the ANBG.

Cardiff and the Vale Natural Burial Meadow – estate type parkland overlooking Cardiff. It has newly planted trees, and old oaks, sycamores and beech, and is grazed by sheep or cut for hay/ silage. There are no headstones or plaques, just occasional bunches of flowers.

Hay Meadow Burial Ground – Llandrindod Wells, Powys– this is a family run burial ground on a small holding. They belong to the ANBG (Association of Natural Burial Grounds.)