Natural Burial Ground Rules
As an advocate of alternative burial methods, we would like to inform you about natural burial grounds. What should you take into account when considering a natural burial ground? Everything about caring for nature, grave monuments and accessibility.
Natural burial ground rules: attention to nature
In the rules of natural burial grounds, the care for nature is the first priority. This means that their regulations are focused on nature conservation. For example, only naturally degradable materials may be used for coffins, urns or shrouds. This includes our Funeral Boards and, among other things, our Soft Shroud made of organic cotton. There are also many options for urns, such as the from wad to wad urn and the EarthRise urn from LOOP Biotech . The deceased's clothing must often be naturally biodegradable. How strict these rules are, varies per cemetery, some simply advise against the use of harmful substances. Always inform the cemetery you have in mind, especially when there are prostheses and pacemakers.
Grave monuments and commemoration
The same concern for nature also means that large stone grave markers are not permitted. If the area were to be full of gravestones, the natural character of the natural burial ground would be lost and it would be harmful to the environment. The cemeteries therefore often offer various alternatives, such as a tree disk, boulder or plant, but sometimes the graves remain completely unmarked. In that case, the precise location is recorded using GPS coordinates. As far as laying flowers is concerned, it is usually the case that flowers may no longer be laid at a grave two weeks after the funeral. 
Ash scattering and other rituals
Scattering ashes is not permitted in natural burial grounds. Small-scale scattering of ashes is not necessarily harmful, but when it happens repeatedly in the same place, it is detrimental to nature. As for other rituals, such as the consecration of land, the cemeteries are very open, regardless of faith or belief. However, you are asked to take the others in the cemetery into account with regard to noise, and of course to take nature into account.
Accessibility
The vegetation on natural burial grounds is left to grow as much as possible, but accessibility for visitors is always taken into account. There are clear paths throughout the site, part of which is usually paved. Since the natural areas often have both forest and field areas, some parts of the site are easier to access than others. The burial site can be selected during a walk around the site. If you want to take people with walking difficulties into account, you can take this into account when making your choice.
Opening hours
Most natural burial grounds are open from sunrise to sunset as usual. Some cemeteries have an opening time of 10:00 to 18:00, so that, for maintenance and safety, there is always someone present. In that case, there are often shorter opening hours at the weekend, as well as on public holidays. These times differ per cemetery, so if you are planning to visit, it is best to consult their own website. Usually, natural burial grounds also have special events, such as the silent walk in the Bergerbos , the monthly tours at Hillig Meer and the light evening at Maashorst : 
