GreenAcres Heatherley Park is a 12 acre living memorial park set amidst woodland and parkland near Bordon, Hampshire. Ashes can be interred within a choice of settings including woodland glades, wildflower meadows, tree circles and dedicated living memorial trees. There are no rows of headstones here, just natural landscapes that will be sustained for generations, with a gathering hall available Read more…
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Eco memorials offer a way to say goodbye that gives something back to nature. Biodegradable urns are made from natural materials such as sand, salt, bamboo, paper or felted wool, designed to break down over time whether buried, placed in water, or left to weather outdoors.
Tree planting is one of the most popular eco options, either through a specially designed urn that incorporates a small amount of ashes into the soil around a young tree, or through dedicated memorial woodlands where a tree is planted in someone’s memory. It’s worth knowing that ashes on their own aren’t ideal for plant growth, their high pH and salt content can actually harm root systems in large quantities, which is why most tree-planting urns use only a small measured portion combined with a soil additive designed to neutralise this.
Below you’ll find UK providers offering biodegradable urns, memorial tree planting and other nature-based tributes.
What are biodegradable urns made from? Common materials include sand, salt, bamboo, felted wool, recycled paper and other plant-based fibres, all designed to break down naturally over time.
How long does a biodegradable urn take to break down? This varies by material and location, water urns often dissolve within minutes to hours, while buried urns can take months to a few years.
Can ashes really be used to grow a tree? Yes, but only in small, carefully measured amounts alongside soil treatment, most memorial tree kits are specifically designed to balance this out safely.
Do you need permission to plant a memorial tree? On your own land, no. In a public space or on someone else’s land, you’ll need permission from the landowner or local council.