Green and Woodland Funerals

Alternative to traditional funerals

There is no standard industry definition of a “green” or “eco” funeral. All funerals will have an environmental impact to some extent, based on all the choices which have been made for the service.

Depending upon your particular preference or environmental concern, there may nevertheless be different choices you can make to personalise your funeral in order to take account of environmental factors.

Woodland Funerals may offer you a setting which meets your needs. We would encourage you to look at the individual woodland burial ground you may be interested in to find out more about the way each burial ground is managed and maintained from an environmental or “green” perspective.

As an alternative to a traditional burial or cremation, WH Putnam Funeral Directors can help you arrange for your loved one’s final resting place to be in a woodland burial ground. These are attractive and peaceful places for you to visit and reflect on your loved one’s life moving forward. Woodland funerals are becoming increasingly popular, as people begin to consider the potential environmental benefits of woodlands funerals over other alternatives.

Woodland burials can still be faith based and many sites have dedicated areas for people of different religions. A wide variety of coffins and ashes caskets are still usually available to select.

Eco friendly funeral FAQs

What happens at a Woodland Funeral?

These burials are often not marked with a headstone, rather a tree or flowers that often become indistinguishable in the woodland. Some natural burial grounds offer the opportunity to add a memorial tree to mark your loved one’s resting place.

At the graveside there is usually a short committal ceremony, if desired, and flowers can still be placed as long as there is no cellophane or ribbon. Some venues have onsite dedicated service rooms and chapels that can be used before or after the funeral for a service that is created to reflect your wishes and those of the deceased.

If you would like to explore the possibility of arranging a woodland burial, your Funeral Arranger here at WH Putnam Funeral Directors can help you find a natural burial ground near you.

Coffin Range

We offer a wide range of coffins, from picture coffins, wooden, wicker, wool and cardboard coffins to caskets.

View coffins

Our pricing

Funeral prices vary depending on the type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. There are many options to choose from to make it unique and special.

View pricing

Planning ahead?

It is now really easy to plan ahead, making a huge difference by easing the burden on your family when the time comes, so they can focus on the arrangements.

View plans

Need advice?

WH Putnam Funeral Directors can assist you in every step of the funeral so please don’t hesitate to ask us about any aspects or queries you may have.

Contact us

Featured Reviews

Google

We are extremely grateful to Sophie and Putnam staff for their kindness, professionalism and support. Their expertise and knowledge helped make coordinating services and the repatriation of my brother a little easier.

Shannon Griffin

Google

The Team of Lee, Cassie & Sophie were amazing. Through a very sad and stressful period they were all helpful, kind and accommodating. Their knowledge and advice helped my whole family. I would recommend this firm if your unfortunate to need their services.…

Steve Heslin

Google

This was the first time using WH Putnam (Streatfield Road) and we would like to thank not only Sophie, Cassie and Lee but the whole WH Putnam team who took care of my mum from her collection through to the day of the funeral. The…

Marion Guglielmi

Google

The lovely staff at Putnam - Cassie, Lee and Sophie - did a wonderful job looking after us, while organising our parents' funerals in July 2024 and February 2026. They patiently explained everything to us and never rushed us to get the final arrangements confirmed.…

Michelle

Google

A huge thank you to WH Putnam Funeral Directors! They guided us so sensitively & competently through the very sad & difficult period of losing both our Mum & Dad. I am very grateful to them & would highly recommend. Thank you from the bottom…

Anne - Marie Twomey Russell

Google

Thanks to cassie, sophie for going through the process of organising my mums funeral ( agnes copplestone ) and to lee on thr day the serrvice was held , especially having mums relations coming down from her home town from ellon nr aberdeen , its…

Andrew Copplestone

Google

I want to thank paula lee and the whole team for helping me lay my father to rest without tou guys i dont know what i wpuld of done , i want to thankyou for bringing my dad all the way from croydon to be…

diamond sapphire mendez

Google

Excellent. Very professional and made the whole sad experience very easy.

Philip Burdock

Google

Lee and his team at Putmans provided a first class Funeral for my Dad . From beginning to end it was so professional, and we felt very comforted that Dad was being looked after with such respect and care. Thank you 🙏…

Helen Smyth

Google

Sophie in the Harrow branch was lovely; she took time to explain the process, charges and all aspects of the funeral and managed to arrange a date that suited us.

Mary Ulicsak

Thinking about a Funeral Plan?

Choice

Choice Funeral plans enable you to arrange and pay for your Funeral Director Services in advance, which could provide peace of mind to you and your family.

Learn more

Funeral Notice, Donations and Tribute Service

muchloved

View funeral notices and tributes to your loved one and leave a donation in their memory

View funeral notices

We're available 24 hours 365 days a year

Call 020 8204 3252 visit branch or arrange a home visit