Funeral Arrangements

Here at Brocklands we welcome funerals of all shapes and sizes: often there has been a ceremony in the Haybarn, which can be with a priest or conducted entirely by the family; or there may have been a church service elsewhere, followed by burial at Brocklands. There may 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. (See   What to do when somebody dies ). The key word here is flexibility. You may undertake the whole funeral yourself, or use a Funeral Director local to you. As long as our Terms of Service are met, most things are possible, and we are happy to discuss any ideas you may have, or help you source certain services.

Complete Funeral Director Services

Not only do we provide a stunning location in which to be buried, a Dales barn for ceremonies, and a full range of biodegradable coffins, we can now offer families a complete funeral package too, including full Funeral Director services such as collection, transport, viewing and much more - through 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 from Birmingham to Scotland for us already, 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.

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Plot Details

The burial areas are divided into three main sections, as follows:
(Click here to see the charges for plots and burials. )

Please note:

• Plots are available for immediate burials only (and the second half of Double Plots).
• Single and Double Plots are dug to a depth of about 1.2 m.
• All Double Plots are side by side, and not the traditional double depth.
• For more information about tree choices, please go to the Trees page.

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 needed by the second person. Although this option is often used by couples, it can be any family member or indeed friend, who uses the second plot. Double Plots have no tree planted after the first burial, but native flowers and bulbs may be planted on the grave.

After the second burial a tree (from list A, B or C) is planted centrally on the plot. If, however, a Double Plot is used for one burial only, then the grave is positioned centrally in the plot, and the tree is planted at the next planting time. (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.)

Single Plots have a tree planted (from lists B or C) at the next planting time, and native plants may also be planted.

Ashes Plots come in one size which is large enough to be used for one, or two, burials. Either way, the tree will be planted after the first , or only , burial (from List C) and then there is still plenty of room if a second ashes burial needs to be put in the plot at a later date.
(Please note: we need to know at the time of burial whether the plot is being used as a single , or as a double grave: in the case of a double ashes burial, two numbered markers will be used, and the ashes will be buried either side of the tree; in the case of a single ashes burial, one number marker will be used and the ashes will be buried directly under, or slightly to the front of the tree.)
Trees are chosen from list C, and native flowers and bulbs may also be put in. Ashes may be interred in a biodegradable container or simply buried loose in the ground. Similarly, a Single Plot or Double Plot may be used for an ashes burial, if a particular tree is desired. So, for example, if a family wishes to have an oak tree for an ashes burial, a Double Plot can be purchased and used for this purpose.

These various options provide a wide choice for families, who can select from a range of plot sizes and tree types. The Burial Fee includes the digging and filling of the grave and the tree. Planting time for trees is November or March, usually allowing a period of up to 6 months for a grave to settle, although in the case of ashes plots this can be a much shorter time, and a tree can even be planted at the time of burial if done in these months. (Please note: all Single Plots take the next available space when the time for burial comes: specific plots cannot be chosen on the site as this would make it difficult for woodland to become established. Plots would be scattered all around, and the roots of growing trees could be damaged as new graves were dug next to existing ones).

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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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