Funeral Arrangements

Here at Brocklands we welcome funerals of all shapes and sizes: there may be a ceremony in the Haybarn, which can be with a minister or non-religious celebrant, or quite often conducted entirely by the family; or the burial at Brocklands might follow a church service elsewhere. There could be a handful of immediate family present to say their farewells, or over 50 mourners; there may be limousines, tractors, horse-drawn carriages, live music, recorded music, traditional black dress, or informal dress. Every family is different, and every funeral is different, too. The key word here is flexibility. As long as the basic principles of natural burial are followed, most things are possible, and we are happy to discuss any ideas you may have, or help you source certain services.

Funeral Director Services

If you wish to use the services of a Funeral Director you have the option of using one local to Brocklands or one of your own choosing, maybe one local to you. Alternatively you may opt to undertake the whole funeral yourself. Whatever you wish to do we will be pleased to offer advice and help if required.

The closest local Funeral Director to Brocklands is Duncan Robinson Funeral Services of Settle. Duncan has presided over many burials here at Brocklands and fully understands our ethos and the logistics of the site. He has travelled to many different parts of the UK for us, to collect those wishing their final resting place to be here in the Ribble Valley. This means, of course, that they only have to travel the 2 miles from Settle on the day of the funeral, which is not only reassuring in terms of not having the traffic problems of a longer journey, but can mean a big saving on hearse and bearer costs for the family. This option is ideal for families from out of the area who are looking for a trusted Funeral Director who understands all the ecologically sound principles that they want, coupled with a friendly and professional service. Duncan is an Independent Funeral director, head of a family-run business that has been in Settle for 40 years. You can contact him direct on 01729 825444 to discuss your needs, or to get an estimate of costs involved.

Other Funeral Directors in the area include:
Jimmy MacDonald of B & W Funerals, an independent Funeral Director based at Ingleton to the north of Settle, who has undertaken many funerals here at Brocklands.
Suzanne Bairstow, an independent Funeral Director from Skipton, who is very much in tune with our environmentally-sensitive approach to burial.
Bill and Rose Kane of Kane Family Funerals, who run a funeral service based in Bradford, with a strong green ethos. Bill and Rose have been to Brocklands on several occasions.
All the contact details can be found on the Links Page.

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Plot Details

The burial areas are divided into three main sections, as follows:
Within these sections there is a wide choice for families, who can select from a range of plot sizes and tree types.

Double Plots are usually for two people to be buried side by side: when the first burial takes place, the plot next to it is reserved until required for the second burial. Although this option is often used by couples, it can be any family member or indeed friend, who uses the second plot. A tree will be planted on the plot once both burials have taken place, the extra space of the Double Plot allowing for the choice of large trees such as oak, ash, silver birch etc. For more information about tree choices, please go to the Trees page.
A Double Plot may be used for one burial only, in which case the grave is positioned centrally in the plot, and the tree is planted at the next appointed planting period. (Please note: once a Double Plot has been used for a single burial in this way, it is not possible to add a second burial at a later date.)

A Single Plot may be used for one burial and will have a tree planted on it at the next planting period. The plot size determines that up to medium-sized trees may be planted on these plots, for example wild cherry, willow, rowan etc.

Ashes Plots come in one size which is large enough to be used for one or two ashes burials. Due to the size of these plots and their position within the burial site we no longer plant trees on the ashes plots; instead we offer families the option of planting wildflower plants and bulbs within the plot.
If a family wishes to have a tree planted following the burial of ashes they may use a Single Plot for this purpose, which can be used for two ashes burials, or a Double Plot which may be used for up to four ashes interments.

Please note:

• Plots are available for immediate burials only and may not be reserved in advance.
• Plots take the next available space when the time for burial comes.
• Single and Double Plots are dug to a depth of about 1.2 m.
• All Double Plots are side by side.
• The Burial Fee includes the digging and filling of the grave, the maintenance of the plot, and the provision and planting of a tree or wildflowers.
• Planting time for trees is November or March, usually allowing a period of up to 6 months for a grave to settle.

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Grave Details

Headstones are not used at all on our burial site, and there are no vases of flowers, statues or other artificial objects. This is not a cemetery, it is a place where graves become a part of the landscape. All graves are now dug by mini-digger but are still filled in by hand the traditional way. If any friends or relatives wish to assist in the digging (by hand only) or filling in of the grave, this can be arranged. For some this can be an important part of the bereavement process, and we respect that. Each grave (including Ashes plots) is marked with a unique number, which is buried just below ground level, and is carefully recorded on a detailed plan. All Ashes Plots have an 'A' followed by a unique number for that plot, e.g. 'A21'.Single Plots have a number prefixed by 'S' e.g. 'S21', and Doubles have a number prefixed by 'D' e.g. 'D21'. After the burial has taken place, all the details are recorded in our Burial Register (as is required by law), and the next of kin is given a Certificate of Burial with date, the plot number, and the burial register number on it, for future reference.

Our Assurance To You

In 2002 Brocklands was set up as a Trust, to ensure that the land remains as a burial site in the future for many years to come.
Brocklands Woodland Burial has also been a member of The Association of Natural Burial Grounds since we opened in 2000 - this is a charitable organisation which actively helps natural burial sites around the country by advising and giving appropriate media coverage of the subject. Members must adhere to their Code of Conduct and give Feedback forms to every family who has a burial so that they can offer their experiences, good or bad, direct to the Association. The ANBG is affiliated to The Natural Death Centre, a charity which seeks 'to improve the quality of dying' by providing information for families.

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