Council encourages green burials

A Gloucester cemetery is hoping to encourage more "green" burials.

Although the plots at the New Millennium Cemetery at Coney Hill have been open since last October, only three people have been buried there.

A cemetery spokeswoman said only bio-degradable coffins would be allowed in what is effectively a woodland area.

"There will be no gravestones although plots will be carefully recorded. We think it will create a unique and very special memorial," she said.

The council aims to establish a permanent and protected woodland area that encourages plants, insects, birds and animals.

It will be left largely in its natural state with grass only being cut occasionally. Natural wildflowers will be encouraged and trees will be planted as an alternative to gravestones.

Coffins can be chosen from willow, wicker, cardboard and papier-mache.

Solid wood coffins are acceptable, but they must be from a sustainable managed source.