At Wilkies Wood, we understand that the days following a bereavement can feel overwhelming. Our aim is to walk alongside you through the process of arranging a green burial – offering clear guidance, gentle support, and the reassurance that the practical details are in caring hands.

A burial at Wilkies Wood is overseen and supported for by a small, dedicated team who come together on an as-needed basis to provide a personal and attentive service.

• Laura Shreenan – Team Lead, Funeral Assistant & Coordinator
• Juanna Ladaga – Co-Funeral Coordinator 
• Kajedo Wanderer – Land Steward
• James Bryson – Lair Assistant

Juanna Ladaga also offers private funeral celebrancy services independently. If you would like to explore this, she can be contacted at: [email protected]

A green burial is a natural, environmentally sensitive approach to laying a loved one to rest. Everything placed in the grave coffin, clothing, and any accompanying items must be fully biodegradable, ensuring that the burial enriches rather than harms the earth.

Coffin, Casket & Clothing Requirements

In keeping with the principles of a green burial, all items must be made from natural, biodegradable materials. This includes:

• The coffin, casket, or burial tray, which must be constructed from natural biodegradable materials such as wicker, willow, cardboard, or untreated wood.
• Alternatively, the body may be wrapped in natural fabric such as cotton or linen and placed on a biodegradable burial tray.
• Any clothing should also be made from fully biodegradable fabric. Please note that shoes are not permitted.

Your funeral director will be able to advise you on suitable eco-coffins and other biodegradable options. 

A recommended local supplier is:

Naturally Useful (coffins, caskets, shrouds & burial trays) www.naturallyuseful.co.uk

The Burial Site

Once a burial has taken place, the grave becomes an integral part of the woodland. No headstones or permanent visible markers are permitted, as the site is managed first and foremost for the benefit of wildlife. Reference markers are used to record the position of each grave, and all locations are carefully noted on the site map.

Due to the natural character of the burial ground with trees planted throughout and stony ground that requires digger access it is not possible to select a specific burial plot. Families are warmly invited to plant a native tree at the graveside in consultation with our Land Steward, Kajedo Wanderer.

To discuss tree planting, please contact Kajedo at: [email protected]

A lair/grave site (for the burial of a body) can be pre-purchased at any time. Purchasing a lair ahead of the need to use it can bring a great deal of peace of mind and your payment is used for the ongoing conservation work of the land of the Findhorn Hinterland Trust (FHT). See ‘Burial Costs’ for pricing.

Important Information for Lair Holders

Plot Allocation: Due to the natural character of our green burial ground, with trees planted throughout and very stony ground requiring digger access, we cannot reserve specific spaces or guarantee side-by-side lairs. Double lairs cannot be purchased, and individual plots cannot be reserved in advance.

Transfers and Refunds: Lair purchases are non-refundable, though lairs may be transferred to another person (an administration fee applies). While lairs may be resold, we ask that this be done without personal profit, in keeping with the spirit of land stewardship.

Future Capacity: Should the current burial ground reach capacity before your lair space is needed, interment will take place at an alternative location within the Findhorn Hinterland.

Tree Planting: It is requested that for every lair that is used that a native tree is planted on the lair site. This is done by the family/friends of the person being buried and done in consultation with the Land Steward, Kajedo Wanderer, who can be emailed at [email protected]

Membership: When pre-purchasing a lair you are invited to become a member of the Findhorn Hinterland Trust with the first year of this membership being included in the purchase price of the lair. Thereafter an annual subscription would be required, the annual donations start at £25 p.a. You would be added to the membership list of FHT and as such will be invited to attend the AGM which is usually in September of each year. You will also receive the quarterly newsletters by email.

ENQUIRIES

Please email the Funeral Assistant / Funeral Coordinator Laura Shreenan at [email protected]  or call on: 07486 401 655.

It is possible to arrange payment for the pre-purchase of a lair over a fixed period of up to 12 months.

Of course, there are many reasons for choosing a particular way to treat a body after death and tradition, cost, location, etc., all play a part. Every decision is personal and appropriate; however, if you’re drawn to something truly regenerative, then a green burial is currently the best choice. Green Burials are gentle on the earth, they save resources and reduce harm. 

Alkaline hydrolysis will in time offer a very good comparative choice but at this time it is not widely available.

Registering the Death

There are important legal steps that must be completed before a burial can take place. Your funeral director or our Funeral Coordinator will guide you through these, but here is an overview of what to expect.

A death must be registered with a Registrar within 8 days. The process typically follows these steps:

• The deceased’s GP sends a copy of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar.
• The person responsible for registering the death contacts the Registrar to arrange an appointment.
• The Registrar gathers the necessary information and issues a Form 14.

For full guidance on what to do following a death in Scotland, visit:  Death in Scotland: Practical Advice

Documents Required by the Burial Ground

Before a burial can proceed, the burial ground must receive two documents:

• Form 14 – issued by the Registrar, usually passed directly to the funeral director or the person registering the death if a Funeral Director is not involved.
• Form BF1 – the burial application form.

If you are working with a funeral director, they will manage these documents on your behalf. If you are arranging the funeral independently – which is entirely lawful – you will receive the Form 14 directly and will need to complete the BF1 yourself.  Download Form BF1:  BF1 Form

Registrar Contact Numbers

• Elgin Registry Office: 01343 554600
• Nairn Registry Office: 01667 458570
• Inverness Registry Office: 01349 781131
• Aberdeen Registry Office: 03000 200 292

Findhorn Hinterland Trust (FHT), as custodians of Wilkies Wood Green Burial Site, thoughtfully plan for the future of this cherished space. What began as a green burial ground has blossomed into something more profound – a place where our community gathers for festivals and celebrations, where children learn about our diverse natural environment, where ceremonies mark life’s most meaningful moments, and where loved ones return to the land they helped to preserve.

This evolution reflects the deep connection between our community and this land. Each burial lair purchased is not merely a transaction, it is an act of land stewardship, a partnership in conservation, and a legacy gift that directly funds the care and preservation of the Hinterland for current and future generations.

Sustainable Stewardship: Balancing Access and Conservation

We currently have over 90 pre-purchased lairs, and we are deeply grateful for this support. These lair sales provide essential income that flows directly back into maintaining and protecting the land itself. However, we recognise that our burial space is not unlimited, and we are committed to managing this precious resource thoughtfully.

As custodians of a licensed burial ground in Scotland, we have a legal obligation to maintain the land for 100 years after the last burial space has been used. 

Our Two-Tier Pricing Structure: Preserving Community Access

Following Moray Council’s burial fee increases in 2025, it has been necessary to carefully consider our position and as we have a finite amount of land available for burials and we are not in a position, nor would we wish to become simply the ‘economical option’. It is also important that we ensure long-term Ecovillage Findhorn community members are not priced out of being laid to rest on land they have loved and helped to preserve over many years.

Our solution is a two-tier pricing structure, similar to Moray Council’s approach of different rates for residents and non-residents. Anyone may purchase a burial lair from FHT without restriction, but those who have been members of a recognised Community Organisation for a minimum of one year qualify for a discounted rate.

Current Prices 2025/2026 

The interment fee is applied following a death and must be settled prior to the burial taking place. It is not possible to pay this fee in advance.

What the Interment Fee Includes

The interment fee covers a comprehensive coordination service, ensuring that every detail of the burial is thoughtfully managed on your behalf. This includes:

• Liaison between all parties involved – family, funeral directors, celebrant, and the burial ground team
• Full coordination of the funeral process and timeline in collaboration with other service providers
• The digging and backfilling of the grave

Please note that the coordination service relates specifically to the burial itself.

Today’s funeral/burial/cremation costs are considerable. A conversation with a Funeral Director will provide various options for planning ahead. Listed below are some of the additional considerations and costs. These are all charged for by the provider directly to the client:

• Funeral Director fees 
• Coffin/Casket/Tray
• Celebrant
• Venue and catering for Life Celebration/Memorial/Wake

For further support please access the Scottish Governments page: Funeral Support Payment

ENQUIRIES

The Funeral Assistant/Coordinator, Laura Shreenan, is able to provide signposting and useful suggestions related to any of the considerations listed above and can be contacted by email: [email protected] or by phone on 07486 401 655.

Where Can a Service Be Held?

A funeral service or ceremony can be held in any location or venue. At Wilkies Wood, families are welcome to use The Shelter, a beautiful outdoor space with an overhead covering and open sides. A fire in the fire pit or a fire bowl within the shelter can be requested, and composting toilets and a canvas tent for holding refreshments are also available on site.

For indoor options, a popular choice is The Sunshine Room in the Ecovillage Park, Findhorn. This bright, welcoming venue features a large function room, tables and chairs, a fully equipped kitchen, and toilet facilities. Please note that shoes are to be removed inside this venue to protect the wooden floor.

To enquire about The Sunshine Room, email: [email protected]

Of course, you are welcome to hold the ceremony at any venue of your choice, and often this would be a church of your choice or at your funeral director’s chapel.

Who Can Lead the Ceremony?

There are no legal restrictions on who may lead a funeral ceremony. You may choose a minister, celebrant, a trusted friend, or a family member. Several Interfaith Ministers in the local area are trained specifically in conducting funerals and can help create a deeply personal and meaningful ceremony. Humanist and Pagan celebrants are also available.

The Wilkies Wood Funeral Coordinator

Our Funeral Assistant/Coordinator is here to support you at every stage, whether you are planning ahead, making enquiries on behalf of a loved one, or navigating the immediate period following a death.

The Coordinator can provide guidance on:

• Reserving a burial lair in advance
• Grave site details, costs, and agreements
• Requirements for a green burial and biodegradable options
• Transportation of the coffin and necessary paperwork
• Liaising with funeral directors and other services
• Being present to meet with and support family and friends throughout the process

Funeral Assistant/Coordinator: Laura Shreenan
Phone: 07486 401655
Email: [email protected]

While engaging a funeral director is not a legal requirement, many families find their support invaluable during a difficult time. They can manage much of the practical and administrative work with care and expertise.

Local Funeral Directors (Forres)

Tom Ross & Sons: Callum Ross – 01309 673435

Andrew Smith Family Funeral Directors: 01309 674383

Pushing Up the Daisies is a wonderful independent resource offering guidance and practical advice for those managing arrangements following a death.

Caring for someone at the end of life — or navigating the period that follows — can call upon a range of support services. The following organisations may be helpful, depending on your circumstances.

Palliative & End-of-Life Care 

• Hospice at Home: Provided by the Forres Community Nursing Team and District Nurses, based at Forres Health Centre. Your GP will arrange this service when the time is right. The Macmillan nurse is also involved at this stage.
• The Oaks (Palliative Care & Support) – Offers palliative care clinics, physiotherapy, and complementary therapies. 

Care Homes

If residential care is being considered, please contact Social Work in the first instance. They can advise on appropriate local options.

Social Work / Occupational Therapy: [email protected]

Meadowlark Care Home: renaissance-care.co.uk

Cathay Care Home: carehome.co.uk

Support for Pets

Cinnamon Trust is a national charity offering support for older people, those who are terminally ill, and their beloved pets. Visit cinnamon.org.uk