Being Green

We have the right badges - Green Funeral Director, member of the Natural Death Centre and a Recommended Natural Death Centre Funeral Director - but being a green Funeral Director is about far more than running our premises in as ecological a manner as possible, recycling and achieving membership and approval. We are passionate about the environment and we do make a point of using low energy devices, public transport where we can, vetting our suppliers' environmental policies etc. There is more to the green issue for a Funeral Director however, and the "more" makes a difference to what we offer to you.

Full Woodland Burial - and some surprising facts
Firstly, Woodland Burial currently costs LESS than city cemetery burial. Our closest woodland grounds are Brocklands, near Rathmell (not far from Settle) and Tarn Moor near Settle. We would recommend that you visit these before taking any decision. There are differences which we would sum up as follows:

Tarn Moor is a larger site - rolling fields, beautiful views, grazing sheep and the Rock and Heifer Pub close by - a popular meeting place before and after the ceremony. There is no venue onsite for the ceremony in weather but the site does supply a temporary canvas gazebo over the grave. Tarn Moor includes standing stones at the entrance and the option to have your loved one's name and dates inscribed on the stones. The site features a pet section and owneres may be buried with pets. Burial of cremated remains is also allowed. Please note that an out of area surcharge does apply to Bradford.

Tarn Moor - Images

Brocklands is a more intimate ground, with stunning views over to Pen y Ghent. The site is family owned by a couple who are passionate about the woodland, its planting and the area. Cows graze in adjacent fields, there is no road noise at all and the site offers an ancient beamed barn, beautifully appointed inside to allow the ceremony to be conducted there in inclement weather - and the barn to be hired for the wake or live music etc afterwards.
This is a dedicated human burial ground and no surcharge applies for out of area clients making this site the most affordable option. All burials include the choice of a commemorative tree to be planted on the site. Burial of cremated remains is allowed.
Brocklands Images

Our Eco-friendly products and practices
Our portfolio includes some of the increasingly popular eco-products: natural willow coffins; cardboard colourful coffins with designs that reflect favourite pastimes; coffins made from Yorkshire wool or Lancashire cotton; options for paper based or natural shrouds, where a formal coffin isn't a requirement.
Options that some of our families have chosen include woodland burial, and sometimes a family loved one has expressed a wish to donate their body to medical research.

Family options
Sometimes you may not opt to travel to one of our local woodland sites but may wish to include other 'green' elements within a city-based service. We will work flexibly with you to accommodate your wishes. These may include: a service at home - or care for your loved one at home before the service; home-grown garden scented flowers instead of formal flowers for your floral tribute; assistance in the preparation of your loved one; participation in or leadership of the funeral service; arrangement of the entire funeral yourselves - with us simply there for you to lean on where required.

Our philosophy
Your loved one belongs to you - not to us - and we totally support your choices. We are independent and we are not bound by a corporate company product line or a standard service offering. We are proud to set our own prices and to present ethical and fair pricing at every level and we know that this is reflected in our costs. Even when the full traditional 'formula' service is a family's desire, we offer many flexible options to encourage personalisation, individual expression, thinking outside the 'black' rulebook and participation - particularly where our celebrant is working alongside the family to help craft the service. Families often opt to be very 'hands-on' - to decorate eco-coffins themselves and add a very personal stamp to a ceremony that may blend traditional and totally new together to create a most memorable and fitting tribute.

Company Registration No. 06685922 England. © Copyright 2009 Kane Family Funerals Ltd.