Question 1

What is a Natural Green Burial?

Accepted Answer

A natural green burial allows the body to return naturally to the earth using biodegradable materials and without embalming chemicals. The burial ground is managed as meadow or woodland, supporting wildlife and natural growth rather than traditional cemetery features.

Question 2

Can we be buried together?

Accepted Answer

We do not bury in double depth graves for environmental reasons. However if you wish to be buried next to your loved one you can reserve an adjacent grave. The cost to reserve a plot is £850 and the difference of what the plot is worth at the time of burial along with the interment fee is payable at time of occupation.

Question 3

What type of coffin can be used?

Accepted Answer

As a truly natural burial ground we welcome biodegradable, non toxic coffins, shrouds (something made of hemp or wool) and caskets/urns for ashes. We accept: willow, wicker, wool, banana leaf and cardboard, alongside traditional solid wooden coffins (not chipboard) as long as they are made with wood taken from managed, accredited British forests. We do not permit non-degradable linings or plastic. So all handles, linings and pillows should be made from and stuffed with natural fibres. People can be buried with possessions; letters, jewellery, food and drink, horse shoes, tobacco etc but these must be made from natural materials. For shroud burials a suitable biodegradable board will be required to lower the body into the grave. A secure container may need to be provided to transport the deceased to the site.

Question 4

How do I purchase a plot?

Accepted Answer

Plots are released in phases and you can choose between a number of plots at any given time. The purchase of a burial plot is for the right of burial in the plot only and does not confer ownership of the ground or any other rights. If you purchase a plot in advance you will be given a Right of Burial Certificate. This will show the type of plot chosen. To book a plot contact site owner Jo Painter on 07891214564 or you can send a message via the 'get in touch' section on website. Please be aware that where plots are reserved alongside a loved one we may be required to hand-dig the grave if we aren't able to access grave with a digger. This will incur an additional interment fee.

Question 5

Is The Windmills Natural Green Burial protected and can someone come and cut all the trees down for future developments in years to come?

Accepted Answer

We have incorporated a £20 charge into our interment fee's which will be paid into a ring-fenced fund, covering the long term management and protection of the site once all the grave spaces are sold. This maintenance fund will ensure that the site remains an accessible, safe and pleasant place to visit, long into the future. This fund will be managed by the trustees and will cover maintenance, insurance and habitat management once the site is full.

Question 6

When do I need to make payment for a burial or ash interment?

Accepted Answer

Payment can be made at time of booking. All payments must be settled in full 2 days before the date of burial or ash interment. For information on payment of pre-plots please contact Jo Painter.

Question 7

If the grave is not marked how will people find it?

Accepted Answer

We are very careful with recording graves. We use  traditional mapping both on paper and digitally. People are NOT permitted to position their own grave markings, plaques or any onimental items . Bespoke wooden and natural slate memorial plaques are available and made to order through The Windmills and will be carefully positioned on the grave or within The Windmills Memorial Shelter.  Wooden Plaques will naturally discolour, fade, and deteriorate over time so may require some care maintenance. The Windmills NGB reserve the rights to remove anything that has not been approved or is not in keeping with the site.

Question 8

Is The Windmills wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Clear paths are regularly cut though the grassland allowing access to graves by foot, wheelchairs & mobility scooters. Depending on the time of year ceremonies take place, turf may be laid  to make access over the site to the grave easier.

Question 9

Does there have to be a Religious Service? Do you allow Humanist Funerals?

Accepted Answer

The choice of funeral, whether it is religious, secular or humanist is up to you. It is completely your choice. The service or celebration is entirely up to the individual. People from a variety of backgrounds find that a natural burial ground can be a peaceful and healing  final resting place.
 The Windmills Founder and Managing Director Jo Painter is an accredited Humanist UK Funeral Celebrant.  For more information on a non religious ceremony please contact Jo on 07891214564.

Question 10

Do you provide a funeral service?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide a funeral director service. Most families employ a funeral director to assist them when faced with organising a funeral. Funeral directors co-ordinate the funeral and bring the deceased to the natural burial ground instead of going to a conventional cemetery or crematorium. The funeral can be as traditional or as modern as you like.

Question 11

Are graves filled in straight after a burial or are they left until the next day?

Accepted Answer

The ‘ICCM Charter for the Bereaved choosing Natural Burial – Guiding Principles’ state that immediately after the mourners have departed the graveside, the grave shall be entirely backfilled and made tidy. This work is completed on the day of the burial and coffins are not left uncovered overnight. In advance of the burial, graves are prepared at least one full day before the funeral and are covered overnight.

Question 12

Is there somewhere for people to park their car which is close to the site?

Accepted Answer

You can park your vehicle in our on-site car park. No vehicles, including bicycles, are allowed beyond the car park and onto the burial site.  All vehicles, including contents, are left at the owner’s risk.

Question 13

Can we plant bulbs & flowers on a grave? Can cut flowers be left on a grave?

Accepted Answer

The Windmills NGB is a natural burial ground which supports flourishing wildflower meadows and woodland. Although the planting of native British bulbs and wildflower is permitted, graves should not be individually marked in order to create a place of natural beauty throughout the site. The planting of flowers or shrubs is discouraged as it prevents the regeneration of our natural landscape.  If you do wish to plant Natural British wildflowers please ensure that the plants you purchase are WILD FLOWER bulbs and plugs and NOT garden varieties. Examples of wildflower; Foxglove, wild primrose, dog violet, sweet woodruff, wild narcissus, cowslip, ladies smick (cuckoo flower), red campion, celandine, heartsease, speedwell, stitchworts, wild garlic, wood anemone, fumatory, english bluebells, herb robert. Nature scape is an approved nursery and one we highly recommend https://www.naturescape.co.uk.
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As the graves settle a certain amount of top filling will take place, for this reason planting is not recommended until at least six months after burial. Further topping up of graves may be required over the years and the survival of any plants cannot be guaranteed. ​To enable the burial ground to evolve into natural wildflower meadow and woodland your help is critical in maintaining these guidelines. Please plant randomly avoiding the creation of gardens and the demarcation of plots. No mowing or strimming around individual graves is allowed. We welcome any and all communication before planting to clarify regulations. The Windmills NGB reserves the right to remove any plants judged not to be Native British Wildflowers.
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Cut flowers can be laid on graves at the time of the burial. Any floral tributes containing oasis and plastic trays will be removed immediately as they pose a threat to wildlife and are not in keeping with our ethos of a natural burial ground. Large arrangements can be taken back to the post-funeral gathering or donated to a local hospital; please do not leave them in the burial ground. Artificial flowers are not permitted. Equally, toys, wood or similar, photographs, candles or any sort of solar light are not permitted to stay on the natural burial site. No decorative items are to be hung from trees  or tree guards and will be removed.

Question 14

Is there an area for children and infant burials?

Accepted Answer

We have an area dedicated entirely for infants and children. The Children’s Funeral Fund is a scheme which came into effect on 23rd July 2019. The fund can help to pay for some of the costs of a funeral for a still born baby over 24 weeks gestation to a child under 18 years of age. The fund works be reimbursing burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors directly so the family won’t get a bill at all. The fund will also pay up to £300 towards a coffin. The fund is available to all regardless of the families income. There is no residency or nationality requirements. Those on qualifying benefits are also eligible to apply to the Funeral Expenses Payment Scheme (FEP) by the Department of Works and Pensions for additional support. Visit https://www.gov.uk/child-funeral-costs for more information.

Question 15

What size are the memorial trees when you plant them?

Accepted Answer

All our memorial trees are young and bare rooted when planted. They are pulled by the growers once they are dormant (they have gone to sleep for the winter!) so most will have very few or no leaves at this stage. This doesn’t mean the tree has completely switched off. The leaf buds start to develop for next spring’s explosion almost the moment the leaves have been shed. This is the best stage to allow the tree roots to embed into the earth whilst it’s cold and the soil is moist. The tree will settle and have the best possible start which paves the way for continued growth over the coming years. There’s almost nothing the winter weather can throw at these young trees that would damage them.  We use tree protectors to allow for extra protection from wind, rabbits, and any weeds and grass around the base of the tree which may compete for moisture and nutrients. Our trees are between 4 and 6 foot when planted. Where the tree is planted on top of a body burial, the atoms and compounds of the body will feed the tree roots which is what we mean when we refer to the 'cycle of life & nature'. Tree planting season is November through to March.

Question 16

Is there a maintenance fund?

Accepted Answer

We charge an additional £20 which will be paid into a ring fenced fund covering, covering the long-term management and protection of the site once all the grave spaces are sold, we ask in kind for an annual contribution to this fund.
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This maintenance fund will ensure that the site remains an accessible, safe and a pleasant place to visit, long into the future. This fund will be managed by the trustees and will cover maintenance, insurance and habitat management once the site is full

Question 17

Is natural burial environmentally safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Natural burial and ashes interment avoid harmful chemicals and permanent materials, allowing natural decomposition to occur gently and safely. This process enriches the soil and supports the surrounding ecosystem.

Question 18

Where can I bury ashes near Northampton?

Accepted Answer

The Windmills offers ashes burial near Northampton within a protected green burial ground in Northamptonshire. Families may choose a memorial tree or wooden plaque within meadow or woodland.

Question 19

Is there an office on site?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no permanent office located at the burial ground itself. However, Jo is very happy to meet families on site by appointment, allowing time to walk the land, answer questions and discuss options in a calm and unhurried way.
Please note that the office address is different from the burial ground site address.
Office address (correspondence and administration):
57 Brashland Drive, East Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4 0SS
Burial ground site address:
 Hartwell Road, Northampton, NN7 2JT
When arranging a visit, Jo will always confirm the meeting location in advance to ensure everything is clear and stress-free.

Question 20

If I have used Pure Cremation or direct cremation, can I lay my loved one to rest at The Windmills?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Windmills is the perfect place to bury ashes following Pure Cremation or any direct cremation service, offering a peaceful, natural place to visit and remember.

Question 21

Do you allow ashes burial?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ashes interment is welcomed and is suitable after direct cremation or Pure Cremation.

Frequently asked questions