I have to admit I have never really given it much thought.
I know that people always say that you should plan ahead, draw up a will, etc, but at 21 years of age I have never given any thought to what I want when I die – and aside from cremation or burial I had never really considered there to be much option.

But there is a new trend hitting the increasingly environmentally-aware people of the UK, green burials – essentially creating life through death.

Ifor contemplates: "Think of the last funeral you went to. Did it sum up the person? Was it appropriate? Was it a celebration?

"I know from my experience I have been to one or two where I just haven't felt comfortable at all."

Standing in the Green Lane Burial Field, near Abermule, it is striking how the area feels full of life, a far cry from the morbid atmosphere that I have always felt in traditional cemeteries.

So what is green burial?

Green burial, sometimes known as natural burial or woodland burial, provides a much more environmentally friendly burial option than cremation, which creates air pollution while using up precious fossil fuels.

A bio-degradable coffin or shroud is used and by planting a tree instead of a headstone, an eco funeral actually helps to mop up surplus carbon in the atmosphere.

Green Lane Burial Field was created in 1994 by farmer Ifor Humphreys and his wife Eira.

Ivor first heard about the concept of green burials on a Radio Five programme featuring John Bradfield, author of Green Burial – the DIY Guide to Law and Practice and quickly became fascinated.

"Many farmers get buried on their own land. It had always been my intention and why not open that out to other people?"

The 11-acre field is still used as a hay meadow. Each July the grass is cut and harvested to feed to the animals on their adjacent farm.
"We have visited a few natural burial grounds across the country and think that ours compares well.

"Some are manicured more than others. We hope that ours remains as a field and is not too manicured."

So far the couple have had 53 burials at the site, five already this year.

"Sometimes we have 24 hours notice, sometimes a fortnight.
We have the benefit of being more flexible than funeral directors. We also don't put people into categories.

"We have had people from 19 to 97 years of age buried here."

The focus is on choice. Ifor explains how they have had occasions where there have only been a few relatives present and others where there have been in excess of 150 people descending on the field.

"People can do what they want to do. If they want an hour and a half, two hours, that is fine.

"They can have a whole pagan ritual if they want.

"I always say to people, get a blank sheet of paper and work out – what do you want to happen?"

As local churchyards become full, council cemeteries impose yet more rules and costs and crematoria continue to emit toxic pollution then green burial is being seen to be the answer to many of those issues.
The first site opened in 1993 and now about five per cent of all UK burials are "green".

A network of morethan 220 green burial sites now exists nationwide, some managed by local authorities, some by charities and others by private individuals and farmers.

Ifor adds: "Once upon a time people stayed in areas and there was always someone to tend a grave but people move about all the time now. With the green burial it doesn't need tending to – there is no burden."

To give people the opportunity to find out more, Green Lane Burial Field hosted an open weekend on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27.

Ivor said: "We want people to come and see for themselves, we feel that it demystifies people."

For more information call 01686 630331 or visit www.greenlaneburialfield.co.uk