Philip Ewing, the Council's Registration and Bereavement Manager and Councillor Peter Convery at the newly constructed wall
It is a fact of life that at some point we all have to deal with the death of friends, colleagues or loved ones. It is now possible for people who have worked hard to protect the environment during their lifetime to be laid to rest in a natural, environmentally friendly and peaceful place.
Many people are unaware that South Ayrshire Council has a Woodland Burial Section within the Monkton and Prestwick New Cemetery. This offers a natural form of burial that provides important environmental benefits as well as giving a true sense of creating life from death. This type of cemetery is for people who wish to become part of a natural growing process after their death.
The woodland cemetery is non-denominational so people can choose to have a service that suits their beliefs, or not to have a service. Headstones and monuments cannot be erected here and floral tributes will only be permitted up to two weeks after the funeral. Each grave will be numbered, recorded on a plan and a microchip placed at the head of each grave for future identification. Each plot will be for a single burial or for a single set of ashes.
The setting is beside mature woodland and drifts of native trees were planted some years ago to bring a sense of permanence to the area. A young native tree will be planted at the head of every grave after burial and as more burials take place so the woodland grows. The maintenance is kept to a once a year cut and the Council can assure families that this woodland burial area will be kept as such for posterity.
After visiting the Woodland Burial Section, Councillor Peter Convery, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and Environment said: “In recent years more and more people have come to realise that we must treasure and protect our environment, so that our planet can thrive. People in South Ayrshire and beyond are living their lives in a green way and have made ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ not just a phrase but a way of life.
“Although we may not like to think about death it is important that individuals consider what type of funeral they would like, and importantly let their family or friends know. Many people now like to plan ahead and plan their own funeral, make a decision about their final resting place.
“The Woodland Burial Section gives people another option that of making their final resting place in a natural woodland setting at one with nature.”
For those who take a decision not be buried in a woodland setting there is still lots that can be done to make a funeral more environmentally friendly, even if it is something small like printing an order of service on recycled paper.
Traditionally, highly varnished wooden coffins are used at funerals but increasingly bio-degradable coffins are being chosen. These coffins can be made out of wicker, bamboo, cardboard or wood from a renewable source that has not been varnished. Simply by selecting an environmentally friendly coffin people can make a real difference and funeral directors will be able to supply information on these. Simply ask.
For further information about the Woodland Burial Section, other cemeteries or the crematorium in South Ayrshire contact staff on telephone number 01292 000 000. Alternatively view the Council’s comprehensive website at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/registrationandbereavement
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