Rules of the Burial Ground.

In order to ensure that the Ground is maintained as a woodland burial ground, in keeping with the Trust's aims, it is necessary to enforce certain rules and regulations as follows:

1. The planting of trees and other plants is authorised by the Trustees alone. No gardening of the woodland is permitted.

2. Cut flowers can be placed on graves but the Trustees reserve the right to remove them as part of routine care after a period of time. Artificial flowers are not permitted.

3. The form of graveside ceremony must be dignified but not necessarily explicitly Christian. The Trustees or their representative must approve the form of ceremony (and the person conducting it). Any form of service authorised by any recognised Christian Church would automatically be acceptable for use at the graveside.

4. The coffin or casket must be made of biodegradable material, either wood or cardboard. As far as possible the use of preservatives is discouraged.

5. The grave can be marked by a wooden plaque. There will be no long term visible markers but all graves will be discreetly recorded by the Arbory Trust so that their location can be determined exactly. A current list of plaque makers is available on request.

6. No exhumations will be permitted under any circumstances except by lawful authority.

7. The Trustees are legal owners of the whole woodland.

8. Refunds are made only in exceptional circumstances and entirely at the discretion of the Trustees. Where a refund is approved, normally half of the original registration fee (currently £375) is retained and treated as a donation towards the objectives of the Trust to establish woodland burial grounds.

The Trustees reserve the right to vary the Rules and Regulations at any time.

Below is a summary of the way these Rules are currently enforced, with practical, day-to-day requirements:

One must remember that we are creating a natural woodland environment, where graves blend into the meadow glades leaving only wild flowers to add to the natural beauty. Mementos do not form part of that long-term vision. We acknowledge that a short-term (wooden) marker is often important, but it is not intended that there should be anything left permanently to visibly mark a grave in due course. We do hope you will help us by following them- and if you have any questions, please ask and we'll be happy to help.

In order to encourage a classic native woodland environment, only wild flowers authorised by the Trust may be planted on graves. A leaflet is available for guidance.

All plaques or markers should be natural wood only (with no brass or plastic attachments or mounting posts) and should be roughly the size of an A3 piece of paper. There is an example in the Lodge (visible through the window if locked) as a guide to size. Markers should be placed flush to the ground to enable a mower to pass over it. Any plaque not complying with these requirements will be adjusted without further reference. A current list of plaque makers is available on request.

No oasis or floral tributes with wire, plastic or tape or artificial flowers are allowed. Cellophane, ribbon and foil must be removed from cut flowers.

To maintain a natural woodland landscape, no ornaments, greetings cards, balloons, birdhouses, lanterns or vases or other such items are allowed. This includes stones, flowerpots or stakes, ropes, ties or other 'garden' items.

We remove unauthorised items quickly, for the sake of all who support the Trust and for all who visit.

In order to avoid a multiplicity of styles, only benches authorised by the Administrator are allowed to be placed following consultation as to size, design and location. It is unlikely that any more benches will be permitted in the current phase of development.

Benches that are deemed to present a safety hazard will be removed, and not automatically replaced. A replacement policy will be decided upon in due course by the Trustees, to ensure an appropriate layout of bench locations, and their spacing and style.