Finding a Green Funeral Director

A funeral director is not a legal requirement at a natural burial ground in the UK. Families can, and sometimes do, arrange a burial entirely themselves. But many families choose to work with a funeral director — for the practical support, the transport, the paperwork — and when the choice is a natural or woodland burial, it helps to work with someone who understands the differences.

This guide explains what sets a green funeral director apart, how to find one, and what to ask before making contact. It is based on our research into UK natural burial grounds and the conversations we have had with sites about what they see working well. [Source: direct site contact]

What does a green funeral director do differently?

A funeral director experienced with natural burial will typically:

• Source biodegradable coffins — woven willow, bamboo, cardboard, or untreated wood — as standard, not as a special order.
• Decline to embalm unless there is a specific clinical reason and the burial ground permits it (most do not).
• Be familiar with the natural burial grounds in their area, including each site's specific policies on containers, memorials, and ceremonies.
• Support family-led ceremonies rather than imposing a standard format.
• Offer lower-emission transport options, or be open to the family providing their own vehicle.
• Be transparent about pricing and willing to itemise services so the family can choose only what they need.

How to find one

There is no single register of green funeral directors in the UK, but several signals help:

The Natural Death Centre maintains a list of funeral directors who are familiar with natural burial and family-led arrangements. This is a good starting point. [Source: Natural Death Centre]

The Association of Green Funeral Directors (AGFD) is a membership body that requires a demonstrated commitment to eco-friendly practice. Membership is a useful signal, though it is not the only one.

Ask the burial ground directly. In our verification conversations, site managers often mentioned funeral directors they work with regularly. If you have chosen a burial ground from our directory, contacting the site and asking which local funeral directors they recommend is one of the most reliable approaches.

What to ask before you commit

When you contact a funeral director for the first time, consider asking:

• How many natural burials have you arranged in the past year?
• Which natural burial grounds in the area have you worked with?
• Do you stock biodegradable coffins, or would we need to source one separately?
• Can you support a family-led ceremony, or do you provide a celebrant?
• What is your fee structure — is it itemised, or a single package?
• Do you charge for transport separately, and what vehicle options are available?

The answers tell you whether the director genuinely works in this space regularly, or whether natural burial is something they will accommodate but are not experienced with. Both are legitimate, but the distinction matters for how smoothly the process goes.

Do you need a funeral director at all?

It is entirely legal in the UK for a family to arrange a burial without a funeral director. The Natural Death Centre publishes detailed guidance on how to do this, including the paperwork required (a Certificate of Burial, a Registrar's certificate, and the burial ground's own forms). Some families find this deeply meaningful; others find the administrative burden too much at a difficult time. There is no right answer. [Source: Natural Death Centre]

If you do choose to go without a funeral director, the burial ground will still need advance notice of the interment, and you will need to arrange transport of the body yourself. Some natural burial grounds are more set up for family-led burial than others — this is one of the questions we ask during verification.

Cost considerations

A green funeral director is not necessarily cheaper than a conventional one, but the overall cost of a natural burial can be lower because the burial ground fees are often less than a conventional cemetery, and the range of optional services (elaborate caskets, embalming, limousines) is reduced. The biggest cost variable is the burial ground's plot price, which varies by region. Our directory shows a "price from" figure on each listing where it has been confirmed, along with the date it was verified.

Frequently asked questions