Mrs G H Poole, in a letter to her brother Philip Chauncy, 1875
There are currently 100 woodland burial grounds in the UK (May 2000 estimates, Natural Death Centre, London). In most woodland parks, people can only be buried in shrouds or coffins made from biodegradable materials, such as natural fibres, softwoods, cardboard or wicker. Hardwoods and chipboards, and plastic or metal handles or other fixtures are not acceptable. Cremains containers and above-ground memorials must also be biodegradable, and the aim is to make the cemetery feel as much like a park as possible.
Concerns about the impact of materials used in coffin manufacture are not new. In the late 19th century Sir Frances Haden developed wicker coffins, designed to be open at the top and filled with herbs or flowers. Haden opposed cremation, but was an advocate of 'natural' burials that allowed the corpse to decay easily and quickly. Inspired by Haden, Melbourne resident Mrs G H Poole, dying of breast cancer in 1875, left instructions to be buried in a wicker coffin. She was buried in the 'mortuary cradle' she had commissioned, her body decorated with flowers and with earth placed inside before it was lowered into the grave.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2010