Is there an alternative to burial or cremation?

Learn about alternatives to traditional burials and cremations.

Is there an alternative to burial or cremation?

The last few years have seen a rise in alternative kinds of burial and cremation. This is partly because of the cost of living, with many people looking for more cost-effective options.


It's also related to a growing interest in eco-friendly alternatives to traditional burial and cremation. This has led to a rise in memorial trees, natural burials and even reef ball burials under the sea.



There are also alternatives that seek to put on a show. These include space burial and themed or personalised funeral services.

Finally, there's the possibility of home burial. This is often accompanied by a family-led service at home.

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What is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial?

Traditional burial has some negative impacts on the environment. This is partly because of the use of embalming chemicals and partly because the treated wood of the coffins takes a long time to decompose.


Eco-friendly alternatives include natural burials and sea burials. A natural burial is one where the body is buried in a woodland or meadow. Typically, no embalming chemicals are used and the coffin or shroud is biodegradable. Graves are marked with discreet plaques rather than headstones.



Sea burials have been around for centuries. They were traditionally used to put navy personnel to rest. These days, anyone can have a sea burial. The body is taken out to sea on a boat and put in the sea, where it decomposes naturally.

Another eco-friendly alternative is a reef ball burial. This is where a portion of the person's ashes are mixed with concrete to make a structure that mimics a coral reef. These are installed in areas that need rewilding.

How much does an alternative burial cost?

The cost of an alternative burial depends on the type of burial. A space burial, for instance, will cost significantly more than a woodland burial. Sea burials require specific permits and reef ball burials are organised by private companies.


The price of an alternative burial will depend on the venue, the transportation, catering, flowers and other factors.



When planning an alternative burial, your best bet is to contact a local funeral director and talk through your options. They'll be able to give you a quote and help you with all stages of the process.

Alternative burial FAQs

  • How do you arrange an alternative burial?

    Most forms of alternative burial can be organised through a funeral director. In some cases – space burial, for instance – you'll need to contact a provider directly.


    Some kinds of alternative burials can be family-led or "DIY". Home burials, for instance, are sometimes arranged by families without the help of a funeral director. This has its advantages, but can result in a lot of work at an already difficult time.

  • Are alternative burials environmentally friendly?

    Some kinds of alternative burials are more environmentally friendly than traditional burial. These include natural burials and sea burials.


    Reef ball burials, ashes scattering ceremonies and space burials all require the body to have been cremated. This isn't an environmentally friendly process as crematoriums produce large amounts of greenhouse gases.

  • What is a scattering ceremony?

    A scattering ceremony is a special occasion when a person's ashes are scattered. They can be scattered on land or at sea. You need permission to scatter ashes if you want to hold a ceremony on privately owned land.

  • What is space burial?

    First conceptualised in a 1930s sci-fi novella, space burial is now a reality. It involves a portion of a person's ashes being taken into space on a spacecraft. Depending on the service offered, it could be taken into the stratosphere, into Earth's orbit, to the Moon or even into deep space.

  • What is a themed funeral?

    A themed funeral – also known as a "personalised funeral" – is a funeral that's planned to reflect a person's life, passions and relationships. Themed funerals tend to have a more celebratory air than traditional funerals, burials and cremations.

  • Is body donation an alternative to burial?

    Burial and cremation are ways of putting the body to rest. An alternative is to give your body to science. Medical schools accept donations of bodies for students and researchers to study. This is a charitable act, so you won't receive any payment in return.

  • What is a direct burial?

    A direct burial is a simple burial without a ceremony or viewing. Instead, the body is taken directly to the cemetery and buried.

Arrange the funeral you want with AFD

At AFD, we can help you arrange an alternative burial. We lend a listening ear and compassionate guidance at all stages of the process. Contact us via our webpage or on our 24/7 phone line on 020 8355 7876.