About Us
Welcome to Olney Green Burial Ground
Olney Green Burial is the natural alternative to using a cemetery or churchyard. A peaceful and fitting resting place for those we have loved where trees are planted as memorials instead of headstones creating a living memorial to all who rest here.
Our Ethos
The Burial Ground is a natural place where nature, with just a little help, will take care of herself. We will maintain mowed pathways through the grass for easy access to individual graves leaving the remaining grasses to grow naturally. Allowing the grasses to grow in this way, we provide a natural habitat for wildlife. It is our intention that in this way we will create as natural an environment as possible that will evolve and in time become part of the natural countryside around Olney.
We aim to provide a peaceful relaxed atmosphere where there are no time constraints placed upon you, a time for quiet reflection.
This is a resting place for all who embrace the countryside, love birdsong and wildlife, who want to be at one with nature and not care for the tidy and orderly appearance of traditional cemeteries. We would ask that to maintain this ethos sympathetic planting of wild flowers and bulbs only will be appropriate and that any containers for cut flowers are made from bio-degradable materials and are sunk into the earth.
We understand that many families feel the need to involve themselves with the burial process as this can be helpful in coming to terms with bereavement. We will give as much help as possible for those who wish to take an active part in the burial of their loved one.
Olney Green Burial
Opened in May 2000 the burial ground, set in nearly ten acres, is surrounded by permanent pasture in a area designated for agricultural use only, located on the gently sloping sides of the valley of the Great Ouse river and overlooking the small country town of Olney.
Set in beautiful countryside the burial ground is peaceful but not isolated being within a few miles and easy reach from Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton.
Access to graves is by pathways mown through the grass during the summer months.
The ecology will gradually change as the Memorial trees planted on the graves grow and begin to shade the ground. Grasses will diminish in favour of woodland flowers and in a similar way meadow wildlife will gradually give way to woodland species.
The Memorial trees will be supported by the planting of understorey species such as hazel, holly, thorn and field maple which in time can be managed by coppicing providing an ideal environment for woodland wild flowers.