Bereavement Services
Woodland Cemetery at Barrowford
Introduction to Woodland Burial
The Borough Council has a commitment to improving the environment and as part of this commitment is now offering a natural alternative to the traditional form of burial. The Jo Belbin Memorial Woodland Cemetery at Barrowford will create a natural woodland habitat for wildlife, trees, flowers and shrubs whilst providing a resting place for those who wish to return to nature.
The Natural Alternative
Woodland burial is for people who care about the environment and are happy with the idea that their resting place will be in a natural, developing woodland. Woodland burial is not for people who require a neat and tidy grave. It offers a natural alternative form of burial in which graves with their growing trees will create a woodland garden setting enabling wildlife and natural plants to develop.
Woodland Garden
The Woodland will be maintained for the benefit of the trees, shrubs and wildlife.
The grass will be cut twice a year to promote the growth of wild flowers. A recycled woodchip footpath will meander through the Cemetery to ensure that visitors can walk around the Cemetery in comfort. No horticultural chemicals will be used in this area. The Woodland cannot be achieved quickly and will take several years to establish.
The area has been designed to include a wild flower meadow and carefully placed seating in a quiet area of contemplation. One tree can be planted on a cluster of graves and relatives can make their choice of tree from a variety of native species such as oak, birch and hornbeam. Wooden marker posts located along the footpath and a memorial tag for each tree will enable graves to be located easily.
Each grave will be prepared for one burial only but the adjoining grave may be reserved (pre purchased) for partners. Following the burial sufficient time must pass before the tree is planted to allow settlement of the ground.
Trees should be planted between November and March to ensure they can become established. The Council will provide the tree for planting in the designated position and relatives may, if they wish, plant the tree themselves by prior arrangement. The cost of the tree will be charged in addition to the burial fee's.
Woodland Memorials
In the Jo Belbin Memorial Woodland Cemetery only trees, shrubs and wild flowers will be permitted as memorials. No traditional marble, concrete or other memorials will be allowed. The tree is a living memorial offering a more natural and enduring tribute than a traditional headstone. However, we are aware there is a need to have some form of lasting memory, therefore, we have engraved all the names of the deceased in a large memorial stone which has been erected in the centre of the woodland. If a further memorial is required then it is suggested that other trees may be planted within the woodland, and a memorial bench may be dedicated if required.
Barrowford Cemetery
The Jo Belbin Memorial Woodland Cemetery is located adjacent to Barrowford Cemetery, which is off Colne Road, B6247, Barrowford past Pendle Heritage Centre. Spaces are available to provide a natural form of burial for many years to come. The Woodland Cemetery was started in 1997 and, as with any natural woodland; it will take time to establish. A coloured plan of the site will be prepared and will be available at the Parks and Recreation offices during normal office hours.
Ecological Coffins and Caskets
To ensure that the Jo Belbin Memorial Woodland Cemetery is as natural as possible in every respect, only bio-degradable coffins or caskets will be permitted, eg. cotton, woollen, cardboard. Wooden or other coffins or caskets will not be accepted.
Cremated remains can be interred in a grave space using a cotton, woollen or cardboard bio-degradable casket. The Borough Council will inter up to a maximum of six caskets per grave space for a family or relatives.
Funeral Arrangements
The Jo Belbin Memorial Woodland Cemetery is multi-denominational. Graves will not be reserved for any specific religion or belief, and the deceased of all faiths will be buried in the same woodland area. Traditional arrangements for funerals do not have to be followed rigidly in the Jo Belbin Woodland Cemetery. You may decide not to have any form of religious ceremony and this wish will be respected.
Interment Fees
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