The perfect burial spot for those with a love of nature

BELSAY HALL GROUNDS TO OFFER A FINAL RESTING PLACE

IT’S a popular spot for a weekend walk – but do you fancy spending eternity there?

The grounds of Belsay Hall are now being offered as a final resting place, where people can be buried within acres of natural meadow and woodland.

The Belsay Woodland Burial Ground was officially opened on Tuesday, within the historic Belsay Estate, to provide eco-friendly funerals and “a peaceful resting place of enduring beauty”.

Owner Laura de Wesselow said she hopes the indigenous trees, shrubs and wildflowers planted across the site will appeal to those who want a “less traditional approach”.

She said: “When I was young, death wasn’t talked about. Funerals were very sombre occasions. That has completely changed over the past 20 years or so.

“In the same way that people are being married in different ways, people are also looking for alternatives and more choice when it comes to funerals.”

Laura, a member of the Middleton family of Belsay Hall, decided to open the site as part of her efforts to secure the future of Belsay Estate, as well as in recognition of an increasing public interest in environmentalism. Staff at the burial ground can help families to choose biodegradable coffins, caskets or shrouds, and can provide memorial trees or shrubs.

The new site will be open to people of all faiths and none. Owners say mourners are welcome to conduct services by graves, or in a small attached building, with ministers of any faith, as well as humanist celebrants, welcome.

Coffins can be transported to the graveside by the estate’s pony, Sam, in a traditional cart.

Laura said: “Being surrounded by nature can be a spiritual experience and brings you closer to whatever god it is that you worship or pray to.”

Single and double plots are now available to reserve in advance at the site. Alternatively, families can approach the site directly, or through a funeral director, when planning a funeral. Mourners will be welcome to visit the plots any day of the year. More information is available at www.belsaywoodlandburials.com

Being surrounded by nature can be a spiritual experience and brings you closer to whatever god you worship Laura de Wesselow