The Green Funeral Company

NATURAL BURIAL SITES

Devon is home to a number of beautiful natural burial sites, offering peaceful woodland and meadow settings for an environmentally friendly farewell...

Natural Burial Sites in Devon

From coastal views to rolling countryside, each site provides a sustainable alternative to traditional cemeteries, with biodegradable coffins and gentle land management. Whether you are seeking a serene resting place in South Devon, Mid Devon, or North Devon, these locations allow families to celebrate a life while preserving the county’s natural beauty.

Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground

We believe this to be the very best burial ground, but we are biased, as we envisioned it and set it up at the invitation of the Sharpham Trust...

Bidwell Woodland Burials, Rattery, near Totnes

This site was established many years ago, and forms part of a larger piece of commercial woodland...

Yealmpton Woodland Burial Association, near Plymouth

One of the only sites to be community owned and run not-for-profit, Yealmpton was established due to local demand, a well structured consultation plan, and the drive and enthusiasm of Dr Linda Durnham who found the field, negotiated for its purpose and established the association...

Crossways Woodland Burials, Cheriton Bishop, Near Exeter

We work closely with Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground, offering eco-friendly burials in a wildflower meadow with simple slate memorials and a beautiful, natural setting for remembrance.

Natural Burial Sites in Cornwall

Cornwall’s natural burial sites offer tranquil resting places surrounded by wildflowers, trees, and the county’s stunning landscapes. These green burial grounds provide an eco-conscious alternative to conventional burial or cremation, using biodegradable materials and supporting local conservation. From sites near the coast to those set in rural heartland, each location offers a peaceful and sustainable way to honour a loved one in harmony with Cornwall’s environment.

West Penwith Woodland Burial Place, near Penzance

Run by the indefatigable Penny Lally, herself a Cornish institution, West Penwith Woodland Burial Place has been running for nearly thirty years at Rose Farm, Drift, which is about five miles past Penzance...

Pentiddy Natural Burials, near Pensilva, Bodmin Moor

Pentiddy is part of a larger project, run by Antony and Ele Waters. Pentiddy Woodland on the south eastern slopes of Bodmin Moor, and is a family-run permaculture small-holding providing environmental education, woodland craft courses and much more...

Atlantic Rest Natural Burial

Run by the very efficient and considerate Sheridon and Tom Rosser, who have created a wonderful site, close to Bude in north Cornwall...

Sharpham Meadow Natural
Burial Ground

We believe this to be the very best burial ground, but we are biased, as we envisioned it and set it up at the invitation of the Sharpham Trust.

We ran it for four years until it became so popular it needed a full-time employee to do the admin, at which point we handed it back.

It has a beautiful cob walled turf-roofed ceremonial shelter and a central ancestor’s fire pit, which we named The Ancestor’s Fire. Sharpham Meadow has stunning views down the River Dart out to sea to the east and clear views of Dartmoor to the north.

There is only one burial in a day so you have the place for as long as you need, sitting around the fire long into the night if need be. The ground is open dawn ‘til dusk. Please feel free to visit.

From the 1st April 2025;

  • Price of grave: £1,400
  • Price of Grave preparation: £450
  • Engraved slate gravestone: £450
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Bidwell Woodland Burials, Rattery, near Totnes

This site was established many years ago, and forms part of a larger piece of commercial woodland.

Run by a laconic New Zealander Andrew Lithgow it is just outside of the village of Rattery, which is about 5 miles from Totnes. The parking area is simple, and the surroundings reflects the purpose of the place, a small-holding and working woodland and indeed there are no toilet facilities or building to hold a ceremony in which puts some people off, but we have held a ceremony at the bottom of the hill, and the procession up to the burial site, across a stream and up the hill situated in maturing deciduous woodland reveals the extraordinary delight of this place. It is wild without feeling neglected, peaceful but not remote. Nothing fazes Andrew, whose laid back exterior belies his knowledge of the natural world. A well run, truly beautiful site, which forms part of a wider environmentally sound project.

Actually a wood, as opposed to a field becoming one. Sadly, the ancient oak that stood sentry to the site, fell, sadly, during a heavy storm.

  • Price of grave: £800
  • Price of grave preparation: £400
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Yealmpton Woodland Burial Association, Yealmpton, near Plymouth

One of the only sites to be community owned and run not-for-profit, Yealmpton was established due to local demand, a well structured consultation plan, and the drive and enthusiasm of Dr Linda Durnham who found the field, negotiated for its purpose and established the association.

Situated on a hilltop a few miles into the South Hams close by to Plymouth, this burial ground has wonderful views of nearby Dartmoor, and on a good day, views down into Cornwall and Bodmin Moor. Of course, on a day in December it can be windy and exposed, but there is a small wooden building for ceremonies. In high summer, with the ever-present skylarks singing overhead and wildflowers everywhere, it is absolutely delightful. Though you can’t quite see the sea, you can feel its nearby presence.

A drawback is that the adjoining rural lane is surprisingly busy, but there are acres still to go, and perhaps in time the management will soften and allow the graves to spread down the hill. Well run, with a clear long term strategy, and financially competitive, this ground is perfect for Plymouthians and all in the South Hams.

  • Price of grave: £900 (|if not a member). Includes a tree to be planted on the grave. This is reduced by £50 if burial rights are purchased during lifetime.
  • Price of grave preparation not available.
  • Memorial slate – £260
  • Ashes interment, single plot – £400 (reduced by £50if pre-purchased).
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Crossways Woodland Burials, Cheriton Bishop, near Exeter

This small site was set up by the farmer and his wife, Martin and Julie Chatfield who live nearby, after their friend asked to be buried there. Intimate and welcoming, Crossways is on a hill just outside Cheriton Bishop on the A30, which is ten miles or so outside of Exeter, and indeed the field almost adjoins the A30, but somehow, wind direction permitting, you barely notice it.

This is probably due to the breathtaking panorama of Dartmoor, which is almost a 360 degree view. Small, thoughtfully managed with love as is all the farm, Crossways also has a small wooden building in which a service can be held, as well as that burial ground holy grail…a toilet.

A lovely site run by lovely people.

  • Price of a grave: £1100
  • Price of grave preparation: £350
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West Penwith Woodland Burial Place, Near Penzance

Run by the indefatigable Penny Lally, herself a Cornish institution, West Penwith Woodland Burial Place has been running for nearly thirty years at Rose Farm, Drift, which is about five miles past Penzance. Penny also runs a long established pet crematorium and cemetery including an orchard where horses are buried.

This can put some people off, and you do pass through the pet cemetery on your way to the woodland site, but it is a beautifully lush, semi tropical garden which most folk find enchanting. It is pure higgledy piggledy Cornish, and there is much going on at Rose Farm besides this including a B‘n’B, prize winning Simintal Bulls, dogs, cats, geese, cockerels. The farm looks out onto the last hill in Britain.

There is also a building that can be hired for ceremonies, and an ornate horse drawn carriage that, with some planning, can be used for funerals. Extremely well run.

  • Price of grave: £2000. Can include a tree, depending on position.
  • Price of grave preparation: £550
  • Slate marker: starts at £70
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Pentiddy Natural Burials, Near Pensilva, Bodmin Moor

Pentiddy is part of a larger project, run by Antony and Ele Waters. Pentiddy Woodland on the south eastern slopes of Bodmin Moor, and is a family-run permaculture small-holding providing environmental education, woodland craft courses and much more. Antony and Ele are a couple with a young family, deeply committed to the green lifestyle who live on site in an “off grid” self-built house. We encouraged them to set up the site after burying the mother of a friend of theirs on the land. The whole project is inspirational and the land is stunningly beautiful. The views from the burial ground itself stretch well over twenty miles away to Dartmoor.

There is a roundhouse based on a traditional Navaho ceremonial lodge in which to hold the services. They have a very clear idea of how the burial ground fits in with the rest of the project, and can talk you through the next couple of hundred years if you are interested. This site only opened in 2009, but did so with the unanimous backing of the whole local community, including the unambiguous support of the local vicar. A wonderful place.

  • Price of a grave: £700
  • Price of grave preparation: £450, with £50 surcharge for a meadow grave/extra large coffins
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Atlantic Rest Natural Burial

Run by the very efficient and considerate Sheridon and Tom Rosser, who have created a wonderful site, close to Bude in north Cornwall. A green lane leads to the burial ground, through banks of wildflowers. Penlow field is at the top of a valley, south facing, and offering, on a clear day, a glimpse of the sea. Nothing is too much trouble for Sheridon and Tom.

Facilities are simple, and include a toilet, but there is super attention to detail. It is a beautiful spot and the service provided is honest and heartfelt. They deserve the awards they have won.

There is the option to purchase a native tree, and/or to have a memorial plaque.

These prices may vary but are correct at time of writing (April 2025).

  • Price of a grave: £695
  • Price of grave preparation: £480
  • Native tree: £65
  • Memorial plaque: £50
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Phone

PLEASE NOTE: WE ASK POLITELY THAT YOU DO NOT CALL THE LANDLINE NUMBER PAST 8PM