ROBERT STEWARD
the hut in order to cut down the flow through of the wind.
The service was short prayers and hymns of a non-denominational Christian flavour.
The coffin was placed on a very ancient trolley and had to be pushed somewhat precariously down a long winding sloping muddy stony path towards the burial field in the forest.
It seemed a long way down and some older folk had to be car transported to the site otherwise they would not have negotiated the hazards of the pathway without considerable help. It was difficult enough for more able people.
On arriving at the already dug grave the coffin was placed on rough-hewn boards across the grave until the lowering into the grave that seemed to be a precarious process as the coffin bearers had been selected from the untrained guests.
People stood in silence for a while whilst a tune or hymn was played on a recorder or flute and then people were given earth to cast into the grave.
Whilst standing there one could not but help to notice other unmarked depressions in the ground where other burials had taken place. It seemed a lonely place and somewhat depressing and reminiscent of an initial First World War battlefield burial site with no accoutrements to designate any recognition or honour to the dead.
The remarkable difference between this and the final war graves is in fact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission make a wonderful memorial to them in such splendid well tended and revered cemeteries.
I think it is rather sad that people wish to be buried in obscure forest glades with very little splendour and with the possibility of limited visiting due to their somewhat obscure location.
This may well suit the sensibilities of some people but does reflect a modern trend away from the traditional cemetery burials and formal religious practices we have had for so long.
It seems that the natural burial people are going out of their way to be so different to our traditional way and I think that any value attached to this trend is indeed very much open to question.
Gains Road, Southsea