Green and Woodland Funerals

Alternative to traditional funerals

There is no standard industry definition of a “green” or “eco” funeral. All funerals will have an environmental impact to some extent, based on all the choices which have been made for the service.

Depending upon your particular preference or environmental concern, there may nevertheless be different choices you can make to personalise your funeral in order to take account of environmental factors.

Woodland Funerals may offer you a setting which meets your needs. We would encourage you to look at the individual woodland burial ground you may be interested in to find out more about the way each burial ground is managed and maintained from an environmental or “green” perspective.

As an alternative to a traditional burial or cremation, Godalming Funeral Service can help you arrange for your loved one’s final resting place to be in a woodland burial ground. These are attractive and peaceful places for you to visit and reflect on your loved one’s life moving forward. Woodland funerals are becoming increasingly popular, as people begin to consider the potential environmental benefits of woodlands funerals over other alternatives.

Woodland burials can still be faith based and many sites have dedicated areas for people of different religions. A wide variety of coffins and ashes caskets are still usually available to select.

Eco friendly funeral FAQs

What happens at a Woodland Funeral?

These burials are often not marked with a headstone, rather a tree or flowers that often become indistinguishable in the woodland. Some natural burial grounds offer the opportunity to add a memorial tree to mark your loved one’s resting place.

At the graveside there is usually a short committal ceremony, if desired, and flowers can still be placed as long as there is no cellophane or ribbon. Some venues have onsite dedicated service rooms and chapels that can be used before or after the funeral for a service that is created to reflect your wishes and those of the deceased.

If you would like to explore the possibility of arranging a woodland burial, your Funeral Arranger here at Godalming Funeral Service can help you find a natural burial ground near you.

Coffin Range

We offer a wide range of coffins, from picture coffins, wooden, wicker, wool and cardboard coffins to caskets.

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Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

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Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

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Need advice?

Godalming Funeral Service can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

I was very happy with the service Paul and his team gave me. He kept me well informed and very caring.…

Lesley Taylor

I've known Paul since school and as I knew him to be an honest and caring person he was the natural choice to manage our funeral requirements. Paul explained everything clearly and was transparent about costs. Our family member died in London and Paul managed…

Miriam Sharland

Excellent service, professional and respectful. Paul helped us organise a time which we weren’t looking forward to. He guided us through everything with his expertise which helped immensely.

ian hill

My family and I were so pleased to have been directed to Paul at Godalming Funeral Service at his lovely offices on the water meadow after my beloved Mum died in a local care home. Paul directed me in all I needed to take care…

Rebecca Humby

At a very sad time Paul and Angus were compassionate and respectful of our wishes, whilst being organised and efficient at a point in our lives when we felt like being neither. Thank you from our hearts…

Andy Parsons

Paul and his team recently co-ordinated the funeral arrangements for my father Terry and I couldn’t recommend them more highly. A respectful, courteous, kind and efficient service from start to finish really did make this difficult process so much easier for the whole family, and…

Tim Powles

I cannot recommend Paul, Chloe and the staff at Godalming Funeral Services highly enough. Whilst I write this as an attendee of a recent funeral of a loved one, the compassion and respect they have shown our very much blended family has been appreciated to…

Cheryl “Chub” Furlong

Such a wonderful team, caring and professional. We were looked after by Anghus and when he was away, by Paul. Nothing too much trouble and they helped create a wonderful funeral for my mum.…

Andrew K

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Paul and the entire team at Godalming Funeral Service, as well as Hannah, our celebrant, for the exceptional care, compassion and professionalism they showed following the loss of our Mum, Jennifer. From the very beginning, Paul…

Susan Whiting

Andy Parsons

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Choose a prepaid funeral plan

Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

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Funeral Notice, Donations and Tribute Service

View funeral notices and tributes to your loved one and leave a donation in their memory

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