What to Do with Ashes in Cumbria

Find woodland burial, memorial trees and handmade ashes jewellery in Cumbria and the Lake District, from Kendal and Ulverston to Alston.

Dalton Woodland Burial Ground

Dalton Woodland Burial Ground sits in mature mixed woodland on the Dalton Hall Estate near Burton-in-Kendal, with views out across Morecambe Bay and into the Lake District. It is mature woodland rather than a newly planted field, so it already looks and feels like a wood rather than something that will become one in thirty years. Burials use biodegradable coffins Read more…

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Nisha Halo Jewellery

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Price Range: £250 to £500

Based on the edge of the Lake District, UK, Nisha Halo Jewellery is a sustainable jewellery designer that creates bespoke jewellery pieces and cremation ashes jewellery with care and attention to detail to create beautiful jewellery pieces. Nisha uses 100% Recycled Sterling Silver, yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, Argentium Silver or Copper. Nisha Halo’s cremation ashes jewellery includes (but Read more…

Ambient Paradise

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Price Range: $$

Ambient Paradise was founded in 2020 after I lost my dad in August of that year. Wanting to keep him close, I created rings for myself, my mum, and my sister using his ashes. These pieces brought us comfort beyond words, and inspired me to share that same sense of closeness with others through handcrafted memorial jewellery. Each piece is Read more…

Mere Glass Jewellery

Mere Glass Jewellery makes bespoke memorial jewellery by fusing cremation ashes into dichroic glass, creating pendants, necklaces, rings and bracelets that catch the light in different colours. Every piece is handmade in Cumbria. Read more…

Memotrees

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Memotrees is a natural burial ground and memorial tree service nestled in the Cumbrian countryside near Alston — one of the highest market towns in Britain. Families can dedicate or plant a tree in memory of a loved one, with ash burials also available using biodegradable urns. Set within an area of outstanding natural beauty between the Lake District and Read more…

Cumbria takes in the fells and lakes of the Lake District, the high moorland of the North Pennines and a long coastline stretching round to Morecambe Bay. For many people it's the place they felt most at home, and families often want to bring someone back here, whether that's scattering ashes on a favourite fell, a woodland burial with a view, or a keepsake made by a local maker. Cumbria has a strong community of independent memorial jewellers, several of whom started after losing someone themselves.

Woodland burial and memorial trees in Cumbria

Dalton Woodland Burial Ground sits in mature mixed woodland on the Dalton Hall Estate near Burton-in-Kendal, with views across Morecambe Bay and into the Lake District. Because it's established woodland rather than a newly planted field, it already feels like a real wood, and it has been recognised several times as one of the best natural burial grounds in the North West. In the far east of the county, Memotrees near Alston, one of the highest market towns in England, offers memorial tree planting and ashes burial in biodegradable urns, between the Lake District and the North Pennines. See all eco memorials and woodland burial in Cumbria.

Memorial jewellery from the Lakes

Nisha Halo Jewellery in Ulverston makes bespoke ashes jewellery in recycled silver and gold with ethically sourced gemstones, and is the jeweller for the BBC programme Lost & Found in the Lakes. Ambient Paradise in Levens was started after the founder lost her dad in 2020, and sets ashes or hair in coloured resin in a small workshop where visitors are welcome. In Cockermouth, Mere Glass Jewellery fuses ashes into dichroic glass pendants, rings and bracelets. See all memorial jewellery in Cumbria.

Can I scatter ashes in the Lake District?

Yes, many families do, but you need permission from whoever owns the land. The fells and lakeshores have a mix of owners, including the National Trust and private estates, so check first and choose a quiet spot away from popular paths. Read our guide to where you can't scatter ashes in the UK for more.

Can I scatter ashes in Lake Windermere or another lake?

Scattering on water is generally allowed with the owner's permission, but avoid lakes used for drinking water. Thirlmere and Haweswater are reservoirs, so they're not suitable. Read our guide on whether it's legal to scatter ashes in the UK for the full rules.

Can I plant a memorial tree with ashes in Cumbria?

Yes. Memotrees near Alston lets families plant or dedicate a tree, with ashes buried alongside in a biodegradable urn. See our memorial ideas for ashes for other options.

Can I visit the burial ground before deciding?

Yes, and it's a good idea. Dalton Woodland Burial Ground is open to visitors all year from dawn until dusk. There are no facilities on site and paths can be rough, so wear sturdy footwear.