Dale Hill Natural Burial Ground, Locko Park, Spondon

The Natural Burial Ground is beautifully situated on the Locko Park Estate between Spondon and Ockbrook near Derby. Dale Hill has been part of the Locko Estate for over 250 years and many people have strong ties with the area and fond memories of visiting the park.

The woodland burial ground that has been allowed to grow naturally into a calming space for bereaved families who want to arrange a green funeral and is available for natural burials, cremations and interment of ashes.

Dale Hill is not being developed from existing woodland or meadow, but is being created as a special place of enduring beauty, and through a combination of sensitive planting and careful management, will create a peaceful place for natural burials, and a site for families to visit to remember and reflect. The gently rolling land, dotted with trees and hedgerows, enjoys beautiful views over distant countryside, including views of a windmill.

In keeping with the ethos of the site, only biodegradable coffins, shrouds and urns must be used for the green funeral. A Certificate of Cremation is required before families can have an interment of ashes.

Open to all backgrounds, faiths and beliefs, Dale Hill is happy to accommodate any type of funeral, whether it is a graveside ceremony, a traditional service or a private ceremony led by the family.

Families can choose to plant a memorial tree in the woodland area from a list of options such as crab apple, silver birch, hornbeam, holly, hazel and lime. Stone plaques can also be erected at the graveside but these need to be purchased from the site’s supplier.