PembrokeshireNATURAL BURIAL GROUND

Pembrokeshire natural burial ground

The natural burial ground lies just east

of the Pembrokeshire Coast National

Park, close to Nolton Haven beach and

St Bride’s Bay. It is such a peaceful,

natural place. Somewhere special to

spend time listening to the birdsong in

the big skies above while taking in the

views across to the Preselli Mountains.

Simple, natural, beautiful...

Natural burials in the meadow are simple, using only natural materials and leaving the lightest of footprints in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside.

Cremated remains can also be laid to rest at the meadow, so they too will be close to nature, in peace and freedom amongst the wildflowers, grasses and wildlife, while sheep safely graze.

This meadow celebrates the vision of Sarah Wickham, a funeral celebrant, and Dai Edwards-Grota whose family has farmed land here for generations. Sarah’s work showed her how wonderful and different natural burials could be and opened the burial ground to share that possibility with others.

Who you’ll meet at the meadowSarah Wickham and Dai Edwards-Grota are the people you will meet at the meadow and they can advise you on how arrangements are made and what works well.

Sarah and Dai are actively involved in farming the land, sewing wildflowers and planting trees. They jointly look after the burial ground and will be there to meet families and answer any questions on the day of a funeral.

Sarah will often post news and photos on Instagram and Facebook as ‘pembrokeshirenaturalburials’.Like or follow these to be kept up to date with the changing seasons, news and views at the burial ground.

How it works

Natural burial is the most ecological funeral option you can choose. Graves are single-depth. Adjacent plots can be reserved so that partners and family groups can be together. No stones or markers are placed on the graves but their positions are precisely recorded. In this way the meadow is fully sustainable and will remain as it is now, permanent farmed countryside.

Practicalities

There is no hurry, so you can go at your own pace and do what you want to do. Advise people to wear stout footwear as the ground may be uneven. A foldable chair and a blanket might be a good idea for those who find it difficult to stand. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong sort of clothes... it’s the great outdoors.

In advance• Visit the burial meadow and spend time

there getting to know it.• Download an application form from our

website, or phone us and we’ll send you an information pack.

• You can pay for pre-purchases by standing order over 10 or 20 months.

At the time of the funeral• Complete an interment form to let us

know your plans for the day so that we can help you achieve your wishes.

• You can make the arrangements and payments yourself or your funeral director can do this for you.

• Burials can take place between 10am-3pm. Weekends are also possible.

Memorial plaquesSolid oak memorial plaques engraved with names and dates commemorate the people buried in the meadow.

The plaques will be mounted between the uprights of the memorial shelter, which also provides a space in which to hold a simple ceremony or simply get out of the weather.

TreesTrees are not planted on graves, but a collection of native trees has already been planted around the boundaries of the meadow, and there are a few places to plant additional trees with corresponding plaques to dedicate the tree to the memory of people at rest in the meadow..

FlowersA simple posy of flowers from the garden (or a friend’s), leeks from the veg patch or a raffia-tied bouquet from florists who source locally. Scatter single stems or petals into the grave as a tribute.

Pets welcomeDogs are welcome at a funeral and afterwards can accompany you on walks around the meadow on a lead.

More time, space and meaning

Pembrokeshire Natural Burial Ground is tranquil and private. An unhurried and gentle place to be yourself and get away from it all.

Organise the day exactly as you’d like it. The meadow gives you the freedom to be yourselves completely and we will offer inspiration, support and guidance.

Afterwards it is a place of escape; somewhere quiet to take one step at a time, close to wildlife, with your memories, and view the changes through the seasons.

Finding the spot Finding the spot

When you visit you can use the location plan and measurements we send you to find the position of the grave, or we can flag the spot for you.

We also provide GPS coordinates and a QR code so that you can make use of your smartphone to point you in the right direction.

pembrokeshirenaturalburials.co.uk

OfficeLeedam Natural Heritage 26 Agincourt Square Monmouth, NP25 3BT t. 01600 716438 info@leedam.com

Custodian Sarah Wickham t. 07780 764715 pembs@leedam.com

Burial Ground(Do not send mail to this address)

Bridge Lane KeestonHaverfordwestPembs. SA62 6EE

Leedam Natural Heritage is a trading name of

Native Woodland Ltd, registered in Scotland

Company No. SC240278

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