New eco-friendly burial area dedicated in cemetery

Crompton Cemetery

Oldham Council is set to dedicate a new eco-friendly burial area of Crompton Cemetery.

A Green Burial is designed to sensitively lay to rest someone in a green and friendly way with as little impact on the environment as possible.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Culture, said:

“A lot of people are thinking more about the environment these days so we have been planning a green burial site for a number of years and we are pleased we can now offer this option rather than just a traditional funeral.”

The deceased will be buried in a shroud or biodegradable container.

Where coffins are chosen, they will be environmentally friendly and made of natural materials.  The deceased will not be embalmed, to preserve the natural elements of the area.

The Green Burial area in Crompton will not be identifiable as a traditional graveyard, but a section map of the area will be retained to record where people are buried.

There will be no permanent or temporary memorials, and flowers left after the burial but will be removed once they have died. 

The council will ensure the area has a natural look and all reasonable steps will be taken to conserve existing local wildlife, promote biodiversity and manage the green burial area to sound sustainable and ecological principles.

Cllr Brownridge added: “If you are considering natural burial, you and your family need to think very hard about this.

“Many people find it very difficult not to have a memorial commemorating exactly where a love one is buried.” 

For more information on Green Burials email Env.cemeteries@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 2220.

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