Memorials
As a natural burial ground there are no large headstones at Sun Rising, but there are other ways in which a loved one can be remembered.
Slate Memorial Plaques
In woodland burial areas, there is the option of a small slate plaque, engraved with the name and dates of a loved one, together with a few chosen words. The plaques are secured onto low wooden posts, and installed near the tree. A grave needs to settle before a tree plaque can be installed: this may take 2 - 6 months.
In a woodland burial area, if a tree plaque has been (or will be) ordered, it is possible to order a temporary wooden grave marker through us. These last around three months. It can be replaced once if the tree plaque has been ordered.
Beside paths and tracks around Sun Rising, there are a number of large wooden posts - our shared memorial posts. Larger slate memorial plaques can be fixed onto these near a grave. A full size plaque is available for those buried at Sun Rising. For those laid to rest as interments of ashes after cremation, the plaques are a little over half the size.
A simple graphic may also be possible, making the plaque entirely unique.
To ensure the site never feels untidy in a human sense, no memorials other than these are permitted.
Memorial Trees
A memorial tree beautifully expresses the enduring cycles of nature, giving reassurance as it comes into leaf each spring, growing gently year by year. It is not only a gift to the one who has passed away, but to the landscape and to generations to come.
Where a woodland plot is chosen, a tree can be bought through Sun Rising to be planted on the grave. All the trees available are native to South Warwickshire and the clay soil. The options are shown below.
To see more photographs and information about each tree on our list, have a look at the following websites :
The Wildlife Trusts
Trees in Britain (Pictorial Guide)
Guarantees: Memorial Trees are guaranteed for ten years. If a tree fails within ten years of it first being planted, we will replace it free of charge. If we feel a different species would do better in that spot, or the developing woodland will no longer allow adequate space for the tree to grow, we would consult with the family. After ten years, we encourage families to see the woodland as a whole as the memorial, trees growing, seeding and dying to allow new saplings space to grow.
Buying Trees: Memorial Trees are all provided by us. Trees are planted as little bare rooted saplings (2 - 3') in order to give them the best chance to establish and grow, and are protected from rabbits, hare and deer with sturdy green tree guards for the first 7 - 8 years. For biosecurity, we source all our trees from a reputable local tree nursery.
Planting: Trees planted before Christmas always do better than those planted afterwards. Tree Planting Weekends are held in early to mid December, and all families who have bought a tree are notified and invited to attend - whether to plant or witness the planting of the trees by Sun Rising staff.
Memorial Oak Benches
Occasionally, beautifully hand-crafted benches can also be bought through us to be installed at Sun Rising. The bench can be hand-engraved with a loved one's name or a few key words.
The benches are crafted of Scottish oak from sustainable forest sources. Because we use no varnish or preservative, after a year or so the oak softens to a natural brown-grey. Cracks appear but these should not compromise the strength of the bench. NB: We cannot guarantee the life span of our natural benches.
In order to retain the natural feel of the burial ground, only a limited number of benches can be bought for a site. We do have a waiting list. Please ask if you're interested.
Supporting Wildlife
What better way to remember a loved one at a nature reserve burial ground than by supporting the wildlife?
You may like to sponsor a nest box for birds, or a roosting box for bats. Our bird feeders also have sponsors, both for the feeder itself and for the huge quantity of birdseed the birds get through each week.