Shares released to establish new green graveyard

Shares released to establish new green graveyard

8 April 2015

PLANS to develop Northern Ireland’s first green graveyard outside Downpatrick are on track.

The co-operative organisation behind the proposed woodland burial scheme, Down to Earth NI, has confirmed it has almost raised its target of £40,000 to allow the development to proceed.

At least seven acres of the first site in the Strangford area of Lecale will be planted with 1,000 native trees in the proposed eco-graveyard with additional plans for a separate woodland pet and animal burial site.

Although a new concept in Northern Ireland, there are already 250 sites across the rest of the UK and one in the Ireland.

In January, Down to Earth NI launched shares to enable the creation of the woodland burial in which individual plots will be marked by a simple native tree on a seven acre site. Over 200 people pledged an immediate interest.

The shares, which start at £800, will fund the planning, site preparation and initial running costs for the burial ground.

With the share offer due to draw to a close later this month, Down to Earth NI director James Orr, from Seaforde, confirmed they are edging closer to their goal of becoming Northern Ireland’s first woodland burial provider. 

“The response to date has been most encouraging and we are on track to meet our target later this month,” he said

He said there would be benefits for the community with a gentle approach planned for services, which will be unhurried, child-friendly and restricted to one funeral per day. 

Located through GPS, individual plots will be only marked with a native tree, such as oak, birch or hawthorn. 

Additionally trees of remembrance will be planted for those who desire a quite, contemplative place to remember a loved one who perhaps died in a past war or is buried elsewhere.

Anglican Minister Reverend Peter Owen-Jones, who became a household face for his 

presentation of the popular BBC series Around the World in 80 Faiths, attended the launch of the share scheme in January where he explained his interest in the project. He is involved in a similar scheme in England.

“There has been a huge shift in ideas regarding end of life ceremonies over the past 20 years,” he said.

“In the rest of the UK the demand for this type of burial is increasing year on year.

“There is no better legacy than being laid to rest in a woodland created for the purpose. The whole concept is positive for the environment and future generations.”

For further information on Down to Earth NI or to invest in shares please visit downtoearthni.com