The Natural Burial Ground
A nature reserve burial ground is a place where loved ones can be laid to rest, where the beauty and peace of nature are paramount.
At Sun Rising, our 16 acres is a carefully managed and developing nature reserve, made up of wildflower meadow and grassland, native woodland, grassy rides and hedgerows, and a wildlife pond. It is an extraordinary gift for our children, our grandchildren and generations to come.
Funerals at Sun Rising may be traditional or informal, conventional or individual, sombre or colourful, religious or humanist. While some families use a funeral director, a minister, hearse and limousines, other funerals are family-centred gatherings using our own arrangement service. Either way, a funeral can be a very simple farewell, with no fuss, or it can be an exuberant celebration of life. It is possible to spend a fair bit on all the extras, or keep the costs very low indeed. We're here to help you create the funeral that is right for you.
At Sun Rising, there are two options for burial: woodland or meadow. This is true for both coffin burial or interment of ashes. We can usually offer a few choices of locations, so, if you would like to do so, you can choose the exact spot.
Woodland Burial Areas
In our woodland burial areas, a native tree can be planted on the grave. A small slate memorial tree plaque can be installed beside the tree, marking the grave.
Families can choose from a list of native trees, or decide according to what trees have been chosen for plots nearby. We plant a limited number of those trees which can grow to dominate a woodland, such as oak and small leaved lime. There are plenty of trees that will always fit in, such as hazel, cherry and birch. Have a look at our Memorials page for more information.
During the summer months, paths are mown in younger woodland burial areas, allowing access to graves for visitors. Trees are guaranteed for ten years, after which time the areas are managed as as rich nature reserve woodland.
It is not possible to reserve specific plots in advance of need in a woodland area.
Meadow Burial Areas
In the meadows of wildflowers and grasses, the burial areas are open and peaceful beneath the sun and stars. They change with the seasons - in spring, primroses, daffodils and cowslips bring an array of yellows; as the summer comes, there are trefoils, clovers, vetches and daisies; by August it is all purples with knapweeds, betony and scabious, the wildflowers becoming brown seedheads before being mown for the autumn and winter.
For the funeral itself and around some new burial areas, the grass is kept short. There are no paths between meadow graves, and where there are no spots for new graves, plots become inaccessible over the summer months: it is not permitted to walk through the tall grasses and flowers of the meadows, as this would crush the vegetation on other graves. After the annual mow, in August or September, it is possible to walk across the meadow.
Because of the annual mowing, there are no plaques on meadow graves. This is ideal for those who wish to be buried in total simplicity, beneath the flowers, butterflies, bees and the birdsong. For those who would like a marker, a slate plaque can be bought for a nearby pathside shared memorial post.
When a loved one is buried in the meadow, it is possible to reserve the adjacent plot.
Religious Traditions and Other Beliefs
People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome at Sun Rising. For many, it is the beauty of nature - whether as God's creation or nature in itself - that draws people to choose a natural burial ground.
Many of our funerals are Christian, of many denominations. Some have the service at local church or chapel, then come to Sun Rising for the committal. Some Christian services are held at Sun Rising, the minister taking the service in the Longhouse, Roundhouse or at the graveside. The burial ground is not consecrated, but individuals are free to have graves blessed by ministers of their own faith. We have had Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan and Humanist services, and many funerals which include a gentle sense of the sacred without church liturgy.
For those of the Islamic faith, we have a small meadow area specifically for Muslim burials, with graves accurately aligned to Mecca. We are happy to accept shroud burials and Muslim prayers at Sun Rising. It can sometimes be possible to bury within 48 hours, although a surcharge is made for short notice funerals. Being in the meadow, Muslim graves are not marked, but a plaque can be put on the shared pathside memorial post.
If you have any queries with regard to your own specific needs, do get in touch.
Here is short guide to facilities available at Sun Rising. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
The Longhouse
The Longhouse is a beautifully elegant oak-framed building with windows that look out over the natural burial ground, rural Warwickshire and the distant hills. It can be used for informal family funerals as well as more formal services with a minister or celebrant. Either way, the building is a peaceful place, with a natural simplicity.
With the coffin on our wooden coffin bier or trestles, the Longhouse can hold 36 seated, or up to our maximum of 80 people standing, or a combination of the two. We can provide a lectern and music as required.
For families who would like to remain at Sun Rising following the burial, the Longhouse can also be available for refreshments afterwards. Whether guests bring their own or hire a caterer, we can provide a few large tables and hot water if required. There are grassy areas outside the Longhouse which can also be used.
The Longhouse is only opened for events.
The Roundhouse
Many smaller funerals at Sun Rising are held in our Roundhouse. Built of Cotswold stone, with oak window seats set upon the low stone walls, it is approached by a stone track from the south car park. Roses, ivies and honeysuckle climb the oak beams at the eight corners of the octagon. Wildflowers around the building give a lovely display through the summer months. Its wooden roof allows a beautifully warm acoustic, perfect for music to be played, or those important prayers and tributes to be heard, even when voices are quiet and words softly spoken.
The Roundhouse can comfortably hold around 30 people, with the coffin on trestles or the bier. Guests can be sheltered from sunshine or rain while still feeling themselves to be in the heart of nature. Oak and willow screens can be used to stop the wind and rain during inclement weather. The window sills allow for 8 - 12 to be seated.
At other times, the Roundhouse is a place for quiet reflection, a place to curl up with a book, to watch the linnets and skylarks, or share a thermos of tea and stories about that special person buried close by.
The Mown Square
The Mown Square is an area mown to lawn near to the Roundhouse. In fine weather, funeral services can take place on the grass, allowing for uninterrupted views of the nature reserve and rural Warwickshire beyond. Instead of a holding a wake in a local pub or elsewhere, some families have picnics here.
For shelter from sunshine or rain, a professional marquee can be hired in too. Placed on the mown square, marquees can be used for the funeral service before the burial, and refreshments afterwards.
The Coffin Bier
It may be traditional for a coffin to be carried, usually shouldered by four or six men. However, this may not always be possible or preferable.
An alternative is to use our handcrafted coffin bier. It will gently and quietly move over the stone tracks and across the grassy meadow, pulled by a couple of people with ease. Another two or four can pull using the side and back rails, guiding it across the burial ground, from the hearse to the roundhouse and from there to the graveside.
Parking and Numbers
A maximum of 80 people are allowed at any funeral or memorial event at Sun Rising. This is to keep down footfall within the nature reserve, to encourage the use of fewer cars, and to maintain our health and safety limits when using the Longhouse. For this reason, unlike at a crematorium or church, we do need families to let us know how many are coming.
If using both car parks, there is usually space for a maximum of 50 cars - for a funeral, this number includes any cars coming with the funeral director, including support vehicles for their staff and any minister or celebrant. Parking is strictly prohibited along the lane or in nearby field entrances.
There are bike racks in the north car park.
Cabins and Toilets
When a family makes an appointment to meet a member of our staff on site, the meeting will take place in one of our two wooden cabins: Robin's Cabin or Nova's Cabin. The names are just beside each door.
Nova's Cabin was built in 2013, and can be found through the five-bar gate in the south car park, on the left, tucked behind some trees and shrubs. There is an eco-toilet in the cabin, which is only open when the cabin in unlocked and a member of staff is on site.
Robin's Cabin is a slightly larger cabin, built in 2022, at the far end of the north car park, towards the Longhouse. This is reached by a ramp.
North Toilets: Just beyond Robin's Cabin, towards the Longhouse, is a further cabin. Here there is a further eco-toilet (our 'sit-down'), reached by a ramp. Next door are the waterless urinals (our 'stand-ups'). These are only available for meetings, funerals and other events.