Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park has been named the most caring, compassionate and attentive natural burial ground venue in the UK, by the people whose opinions matter most – grieving families who use its laid-to-rest service.
The18-acre Park, located just north of Norwich at Hainford, has just entered its 10th anniversary year. Owner Andrew Morton is also delighted to have been awarded a second prestigious accolade – a Carbon Charter Gold Award for outstanding progress in its sustainability ambitions.
Working across six counties, Groundwork East supports business ventures who lead the way in reducing their carbon footprint. Currently, 40 enterprises across Norfolk and Suffolk hold Gold Charter Charter Awards.
Mr Morton, founder of the Norfolk Bluebell Burial Park, said news of the twin awards was immensely pleasing. “It sets the seal on everything we have striven for from Day One. I am thrilled that the Groundwork East Sustainable Business team has told us we are now technically net zero,” he said. “Then to learn this week that independent judges appointed by the national Natural Death Centre, a national charity, have named us as the winner of the People’s Award for the Best Natural Burial Ground in the UK is testament to our amazing team led by Holly.”
Rosie Inman-Cook, Manager of the Natural Death Centre (NDC) congratulated Mr Morton on the Bluebell Wood’s ultimate achievement. “Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park has been named best in the East on two previous occasions – this year we congratulate them on going one step further,” she said. “People who use Norfolk Bluebell Wood are consistent in their feedback about how wonderfully caring, compassionate and attentive Andrew and his team are. They are doing a superb job in helping so many families.”
Every grieving family that uses a UK-based natural burial ground belonging to the NDC to commemorate the passing of a loved one is encouraged to provide feedback direct to the NDC about the service they have received – whether good, bad or indifferent. Independent judges sift through thousands of submissions and decide who deserves nomination for the People’s Award in each of nine regions….and who is most worthy of the ultimate accolade.
The NDC says the awards are different to any other kind of assessment of green cemeteries. They criteria is not related to the sustainability of the site, the quality of facilities available or the way the land is managed. The focus of the People’s Awards is the people behind the provision, the level of service they provide, all-important personal touches – and the impact made on grieving families.
“We want to be sure they are doing it for the right reasons. It’s all about customer service. We’re not looking for wonderful facilities; our assessment focuses on the degree to which park owners and staff are willing to go the extra mile. We want to be sure that they have an ethos that prioritises the very best levels of care, courtesy and compassion as they support grieving relatives,” said Mrs Inman-Cook.
The feedback that led the Bluebell Wood to being afforded the distinction of ‘Best in UK’ has now been forwarded to Mr Morton. “It is humbling yet immensely gratifying to read what people have said about us to the NDC,” he said. “We are very honoured to know that we can display the unique ‘Best Natural Burial Ground in the UK’ logo for 2025.”
The NDC comments sit proudly alongside the comments of the judgement of the assessors in the Carbon Charter scheme. They state that as a result of the 28% emissions reduction made in the last two years, the enterprise has now technically achieved net zero status.
The panel points to the outstanding levels of efficiency incorporated in Cedar Hall, a facility added in 2018 to enable grieving families to gather for memorial ceremonies. It incorporates a myriad of energy-conserving measures.
Assessors also praise the fact that all grave areas are biodegradable, using local materials for caskets, vases, memorials, and plaques. The Park’s maintenance vehicle, its accessibility buggy, and the pool car are electrically driven. The Panel also highlighted the focus on wildlife conservation, ongoing projects to add more trees and wildflowers, and the recent addition of a wildlife pond and a beetle bank.
Whilst Groundwork East’s Sustainable Business team supports businesses to apply for their Carbon Charter Award, all submissions are assessed and approved by an independent panel of experts and sustainability professionals, convened monthly by Suffolk County Council.
Amy Coulter, Sustainable Business Team Manager for Groundwork East, said there was a demanding list of conditions businesses had to meet to be considered for Carbon Charter status – particularly the Gold Award. “It is a challenge for organisations to achieve the Gold level award and it can also be a challenge to retain it, as it requires an on-going commitment to continuous improvement with year-on-year carbon reduction,” she said. “The Gold level Carbon Charter Award recognises the significant achievements made by Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park to reduce their environmental impacts and specifically their carbon footprint.”
Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park owner Andrew Morton and Park Warden Holly Knell read through comments that led to their Hainford venue being named the UK’s best natural burial ground.
