Welcome to the first of our new Down to Earth series, where we ask green funeral professionals to tell us in their own words how they work, what inspires them, and why they believe natural burial matters for people and the planet. We’re starting with Tithe Green Natural Burial, based in Nottinghamshire, whose Oxton site opened in 1999 as one of the earliest natural burial grounds in the UK. Today they look after four sites across the Midlands and County Durham. We spoke to George Cox about how the natural burial movement has grown since they began, the choices they offer to families, and why planning ahead can bring real peace of mind.
Hi George, can you tell us a bit about Tithe Green and how it all started for you?
Tithe Green are a small, family-run team based in Nottinghamshire. At the helm are James and Helena O’Donnell. It was James’ late grandmother who founded our first site in Oxton in 1999, which was one of the first natural burial grounds in the UK. This means a genuine dedication to the land and protecting it for future generations really is at the heart of everything we do, and we continue that same stewardship now across two more natural burial grounds in the Midlands, and another in County Durham.
Your Oxton site was one of the first natural burial grounds in the UK. How have you seen the natural burial landscape evolve since then?
It is still very much evolving, but we’ve definitely seen a move towards natural burial. Not just in the increase in conversations we’re having with families, but in the conversations we have with others in the profession – funeral directors and celebrants who tell us that more and more families are asking about natural burial.
With the world changing and people becoming more aware of issues with the environment, natural burial is an option that speaks to a growing desire for sustainable, eco-friendly options. It seems strange at first to consider these terms in conjunction with death and funerals, but why would we not want our final act to be one that protects and even gives back to the planet that has provided a home for us throughout our lives? For example, choosing a woodland burial with a memorial tree means you can leave a lasting legacy – something that grows over time, that family and friends can continue to visit, and that directly contributes to restoring habitats and protecting biodiversity.
But it’s not just about people becoming more aware of the environmental implications of traditional funerals – when people are grieving, they’re often not thinking about that. They’re thinking about what would best honour their loved one, and what – if anything – might make their grief slightly more bearable. That’s where the magic of natural burial really shines. For people who loved the outdoors, or nature, or animals, choosing a woodland or a wildflower meadow burial feels deeply personal to them, laying them to rest somewhere they would have enjoyed in life. And for the people grieving, it offers a peaceful, beautiful place to visit them, where trees and flowers are much less confronting than traditional tombstones or graveyards.
How would you summarise the benefits of natural burial to anyone who is on the fence about this option?
There are two key reasons that stand out for me:
More freedom and flexibility: Natural burial invites us to question traditional norms and gives us the space to redesign something personal and unique to the person who has died. We’ve had everything from family dressed as Star Wars characters, to tractors, to horse drawn carts, to choirs by the grave. At our natural burial sites, you can take your time. You can spread out. Some families bring camping chairs or a picnic for after the service, and stay for a few hours just talking and sharing memories. There’s no formality, no pressure, and no rush.
Leaving a legacy: There is something very poignant about the idea of returning to the earth when we die; a cyclical relationship that keeps some part of us ‘living’ in some way, whether through the tree planted above us or the wildflowers planted around us. It means our final act can be a lasting gift not only to nature – to biodiversity, to habitats – but to our family and friends, knowing that the place they go to visit us is calm, peaceful, and beautiful. There is huge comfort in that.
4. You offer different approaches to natural burial at your sites. Can you talk us through these?
Yes, we offer four different approaches depending on whether the person would like a natural burial, ashes interment, direct cremation or memorial.
Natural burial – woodland or wildflower meadow
Natural burial means choosing to be buried in a woodland or wildflower meadow in a biodegradable coffin. If you choose a woodland burial, a memorial tree is planted above the plot with an engraved plaque mounted on an oak post. If you choose a wildflower meadow burial, an engraved plaque is laid flat atop the plot to allow the wildflowers to grow uninterrupted. It is truly a way of returning to the earth, nourishing the plants and trees around us.
Ashes interment – woodland or wildflower meadow
Families can choose to inter ashes in our woodland or wildflower meadow. Much the same as above, woodland interments are marked with a memorial tree and a mounted plaque, and meadow interments with a flat plaque among the wildflowers. Ashes are interred in biodegradable urns which the family are welcome to source from anywhere, however we do provide options on our website.
Direct cremation + woodland or wildflower meadow interment
Direct cremation is a simple, dignified alternative for families who feel it is right for them. This means the cremation is unattended by mourners, carried out by trusted professionals. Following the cremation, ashes are returned to the care of the family, who can then choose to inter them whenever they feel ready in our woodland or wildflower meadow. It gives families time and space to plan a meaningful goodbye without feeling like they have to rush through the process or make big decisions in the immediate aftermath of loss.
Memorial trees without burial
Some people choose to honour a loved one with just a memorial tree. Perhaps their loved one was passionate about wildlife and the environment, or perhaps they find comfort in planting something in their name and watching it grow year after year. All of our sites are set to become protected woodland once they are full, so the entire Tithe Green community is growing something beautiful together.
The cost of funerals is a concern for many, leading a growing number of people to choose direct cremation. Can natural burial be a cost-effective option?
Direct cremation is an option for families who may have concerns around the growing cost of traditional cremation or funeral options. It has been described as a “cost-effective” option, which can lead people to believe that it lacks something or denies families the opportunity to say a meaningful farewell. However, this is untrue. Families can still have a celebration of life ceremony or service following the cremation – a service they can make deeply personal to the person who died, and one that they can arrange when they feel ready.
Many people assume that natural burial is an expensive option and not feasible for those with smaller budgets. Again, this is a misconception we are happy to rectify. We published a blog post exploring how our prices compare to those of example council-run cemeteries local to each of our burial sites. For each burial or interment option, natural burial was the more affordable choice.
Our job is to make a difficult time a little easier. We do not charge repeat fees: no maintenance fees and no lease fees, as seen in many other burial grounds and cemeteries. Once purchased, the plot is yours forever. This, in addition to the fact that our sites are set to become protected woodland, brings families a lot of comfort.
What’s the first step if someone thinks they might like a Tithe Green burial one day? Do you advise reserving a plot in advance?
Give us a call! We’re a small, friendly team – if you call Tithe Green you’ll likely chat to Tracey or Ellie, who guide families through their options with clarity and empathy. We like to keep things as straightforward as we can. We know that for people who are grieving – whether now or in anticipation – or even for people who are simply planning ahead, these conversations can be very difficult. We’re here to guide you through the options as simply as possible. If you don’t feel like talking on the phone, we can be contacted via info@tithegreen.com, or our website has lots of resources, blogs, and FAQs. Our contact number is 01623 677 100.
We’re huge advocates for planning ahead (reserving a plot in advance). It’s an empowering act that can bring peace of mind to you and comfort to your family. It means they won’t be left in the dark when the time comes, having to make big decisions and arrangements when they are grieving, unsure if they are following your wishes. Some sources state that only 5% of UK adults have a funeral plan, which we believe needs to change. Talking about our death ahead of time can be scary and confronting, but the best time to do it is when there is no immediate need. When we are unwell, or when someone has died, it can feel impossible to make arrangements. Whilst our team are well versed in supporting people in these situations, we do advocate for planning ahead – even if that looks like a gentle conversation with trusted loved ones.
Find out more about Tithe Green
Thank you so much to George and the Tithe Green team for taking part in this insightful ‘down to earth’ conversation! If you would like to find out more, you can visit the Tithe Green profile pages on our website: