This could be an enterprise that
in the long term earns more than any of the other diversification
endeavours undertaken on the Estate.
The county
of Wiltshire has more-or-less run out of ‘traditional’
cemetery plots and, at the same time, woodland burials are gaining
in popularity. No special laws or rules apply to such burials,
except that all water sources must be protected from potential
pollution. The area chosen for Cholderton’s woodland burials
is far from any water course or water source.
One of the
reasons for the popularity of such burials is that any form of
ceremony – or no ceremony – can accompany the interment.
As the demand for non-religious rituals increases, this has an
obvious appeal, while conversely those who wish only to place
their loved ones in a beautiful, peaceful spot can choose a plot
under an existing mature tree, or have a young tree planted as
a lasting memorial.
At present, there are few places
in the UK where woodland burials take place, so a premium can
be charged for this service. The Estate may extend this to include
horse-drawn hearse transportation.
For more information on woodland
burials click
here
