Burial is influenced by whether you have a family grave (or lairs in Scotland) or availability of new ground in a cemetery or natural woodland site. From March 2026, new ground in Scotland will offer a right of burial for 25 years. Burials can cost more than cremation when you factor in the cost of new ground, or fees to open and inter existing graves.
Cemeteries
Council cemeteries
Not all UK council cemeteries have room for new burials as ground is very limited. Where pre-purchase is possible, some councils may allocate specific plots at the time of need only. It’s also increasingly common for out-of-area surcharges to apply for people living out-with council boundaries.
Private cemeteries
Not all UK council cemeteries have room for new burials as ground is very limited. Where pre-purchase is possible, some councils may allocate specific plots at the time of need only. It’s also increasingly common for out-of-area surcharges to apply for people living out-with council boundaries.
Natural Woodland Sites
A natural burial site or woodland cemetery can provide an alternative resting place in a nature-led setting. There are a few woodland cemeteries in Scotland and the north of England that we visit regularly. Sites operate different rules, but it’s common that graves do not feature traditional headstones and are pared back with trees, bushes boulders or simple plaques – sometimes with nothing showing at all.
Private land
It is possible to be buried on your land provided the site is not near a water table. Landowners require the appropriate permissions so if this is something you’d like to consider, we can discuss regional requirements.
Memorials and Markers
We mark the sites of graves with traditional headstones, a service we can provide for all cemeteries in the UK. Increasingly, markers are used to mark a grave for a temporary time before a formal headstone is commissioned or amended. And it’s also possible to use markers for some natural or woodland sites, and even private homes where the interment of ashes is planned.
Natural Burial Sites Directory
Edinburgh & the Lothians
Binning Memorial Wood – East Lothian
Binning Memorial Wood
Tyninghame,
East Lothian,
EH40 3DU
Craigmillar Castle Park Cemetery
Craigmillar Castle Park Cemetery & Natural Burial Site,
47 Old Dalkeith Road,
Edinburgh,
EH16 4TE
Angus & Fife
CairnBrae Natural Burial Ground
CairnBrae Natural Burial Ground,
Duntrune,
Kellas,
Dundee,
DD4 0PR
Wild Meadow Eco Cemetery
Wild Meadow Eco Cemetery,
The Ecology Centre,
Kinghorn Loch,
Burntisland,
Fife,
KY3 9YG
Scottish Borders
Hundy Mundy Woodland Burial Ground
Hundy Mundy Woodland Burial Ground,
Mellerstain Estate,
Gordon,
Kelso,
TD3 6LG
Shawfield Cemetery Woodland Burial Ground
Shawfield Cemetery Woodland Burial Ground,
Shawfield Road,
Selkirk,
Scottish Borders,
TD7 5DT
Manor Sware
Manor Sware Woodland Burial Site,
Edderston Farm Road,
Peebles,
Scottish Borders,
EH45 9JE
North Scotland
Cothiemuir Hill Natural Burial Ground
Cothiemuir Hill Natural Burial Ground,
Castle Forbes Estate,
Keig,
Alford,
Aberdeenshire,
AB33 8BL
Wilkies Wood Green Burial Ground
Wilkies Wood Green Burial Ground,
Findhorn Hinterland Trust,
The Park,
Findhorn Road,
Findhorn,
Forres,
IV36 3TE
North East England
Northumberland Woodland Burial & Crematorium
Northumberland Woodland Burial & Crematorium,
Bockenfield Wood,
Felton,
Morpeth,
Northumberland,
NE65 9QJ
Belsay Woodland Burials
Belsay Woodland Burials,
Belsay Estate,
Belsay,
Northumberland,
NE20 0DX
Frequently asked questions
Can we leave a photo in the coffin?
There are strict rules about what can be left in a coffin for cremations, hydrolysis (once a facility becomes available) and for woodland or natural burials. If you plan to visit your loved one to say goodbye, you can have photos or other keepsakes and we can guide you as to what can be left once we know your choices of funeral.
What is the major cost difference between a burial and cremation?
There are various factors to consider when choosing burial or cremation. Urban areas where ground is scarce often have higher burial fees and there may be out-of-area considerations. Cremation options may be limited and consequently cost more overall for those who live far away from a facility, but the purchase of ground may be more affordable. Burials will also incur cemetery fees to open existing graves, or to purchase new ground. There are also memorial costs likely to be related to burials for adding inscriptions or to purchase new stones. Cremations are one cost: unattended options do not include a service and attended cremations will include service costs. Ashes are returned within this fee but there may be additional costs to inter or bury these in a grave along with any storage or memorial keepsakes.
What happens to flowers after a funeral?
There are a number of options available to families who order flowers for a funeral.
They can be left around the graveside or at crematorium, or they can be taken to any planned celebration after the funeral. Some families choose to divide tributes as mementos for mourners, while others place them on a family memorial in days that follow.