2nd Feb 2023
This is an exciting first in the Origin Story series as we welcome our first Green Hosting friend to share theirs. Green Hosting friends are businesses, organisations and individuals who share our values and are a part of our network but not necessarily a client. We love to champion anyone who works to bring positive change for people and the natural world, so our next guest is a perfect fit.
Claire Lyons wears many hats in the world of sustainability. Her story here, however, is told with such a deep care for one particular aspect of her work, and that is at the Woodland Burial Company. This is a fascinating subject and something we don't give enough time to consider. So, here is Claire to tell us more...
I am part of quite a few environmentally focused groups both professionally and socially. I worked on my ‘eco living’ very publicly for over five years running The Frugal Family. Over that time we covered pretty much every issue, hint and tip, on ways to live more sustainably. My over sharing also moved outwards to helping small businesses to work in more sustainable ways (happy to share that some time too!).
What I never once talked about until recently, was how to have a sustainable funeral, or the impact of dying on the planet (Hint: It’s not good). They are not topics that people want to talk about, or think about. At all. With a background as a lecturer in personal development I was happy to talk about most subjects, had covered all taboos. I had also taught on lots of grief management courses and perhaps had a thicker skin on the topic?
What’s fascinating is that so, so many people are striving for a sustainable life, and yet never once consider their sustainable death. Or they do consider it, and the information and options out there are pitifully poor.
There seems no huge global action towards the shocking environmental impact of the funeral industry. Previously untouchable, only now are the industry themselves trying to make some headway, spurred on by the demands of being net zero. That’s a much longer article, but limited choices is a big factor in the decisions people are making.
When my own family suffered an unexpected tragedy in 2019, this issue became something I could no longer ignore.
While researching our options for an environmentally friendly burial, the only things I could find were ‘natural burial’ sites. Natural is an interesting word, it evokes happy thoughts about the planet. But a tsunami is natural and yet I still don’t want to be caught up in one.
Many of these sites don’t allow markers, seating or pre-booking graves. All things that are so valuable in processing and learning to live with grief. It was essential to me that I could be buried with my son whenever my time comes.
It was a crash course in research as time to make decisions is not unlimited. Reading the extensive research was fascinating, and one question inevitably led me to another. I had no idea that cremated ashes were harmful to soil, that plants grow away from them and in confined spaces often die.
It seems our basic needs as human beings can be ignored if we are told it’s better for the planet. On a mission to discover the answer somewhere in between these two extremes, I kept returning to the Woodland Burial Company.
I was lucky in that I already knew of the WBC, I had met them years before to write a blog post. I liked that they were in an established woodland that didn’t just line up burials in a field and plant a tiny sapling. It’s a 45 minute drive, but still absolutely worth the effort every time we go.
I became a bit obsessed with the toxicity of traditional burial and cremation, and more annoying with every question and suggestion I made to the owner of the burial ground. So annoying in fact, that I was offered to role of Manager – to get the message out that I was so distressed about.
Since starting that role, I have learnt so much and feel humbled to support other families at such a difficult time. The lack of a serious and swift response to the climate crisis generally is concerning, that this specific area, one we cannot do without and is in fact only going to increase, is still languishing in the ‘too tricky’ pile is simply foolish. Birth and death are the only truly shared experiences human beings have. We can’t avoid it, we need to face into it.
I have learned so much, and even though I considered myself well versed in sustainability issues I would do things differently now, lots of small changes can make significant improvements in how nature can deal with death. Just choosing a linen shroud instead of your own clothing helps. Such a simple thing.
There are real solutions, there is real research.
WBC has grown further, now able to work outside of the confines of its geography. Their scientifically researched RTN Soil can now be bought in Kits and used at home. I have also grown my self-employed work, now working alongside several excellent businesses in this new niche I find myself in.
Via my website www.clairelyons.co.uk I discuss grief, death and sustainability. You can also find me at the #EthicalHour twitter chat most Monday’s and ranting on Linked In.
If we want to make change, sometimes we have to take an issue by the horns and drag it into people’s consciousness. Sorry, not sorry.
Find Claire online
Website: clairelyons.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/claireandgrief
Facebook: facebook.com/claireandgrief
Twitter: twitter.com/claireandgrief
Green Hosting works handsomely with:
Auto-installer now available on all accounts
