Rose Hill Natural Burial Ground, Huddersfield

Rose Hill Natural Burial Ground is situated in an unspoiled wooded valley in Huddersfield which was originally park land to Rose Hill Manor. The gothic-style hall is now a chapel and the grade-II listed building also houses a bistro which is open every day for visitors to the graveyard and is also available for funeral teas.

The chapel can accommodate 10-60 people for a service. The dining room can comfortably accommodate 30-60 people and offers a choice between two buffet set-menus with tea and coffee. The venue is also licensed to serve alcohol.

During Victorian times the land was drained to provide a flood proof valley and tis makes it the perfect location for the beautiful Natural Burial Ground that occupies the site today.

High ecological standards are maintained with regard to the burial. As with all Natural Burial Grounds coffins and shrouds must be fully biodegradable, wicker, bamboo, cardboard or softwood being preferred. Lead linings are unacceptable in all circumstances.

Only floral tributes on the graves are encouraged (with cellophane removed) and small wreaths set in oasis are the preferred choice of commemorative arrangement as these are more wind proof and provide moisture for the flowers, thus lasting longer.

But on the issue of grave markers the owners believe they have created a perfect balance between a cemetery and a natural burial ground: unusually they do permit stones to mark the graves. By using green slate horizontal plaques, the bereaved can have names and life-dates recorded as a living memorial to their loved ones, whilst allowing the mowing of the grass which is done weekly during the summer months and when necessary in other seasons.

This is an elegant and attractive site to visit and the beauty of the valley makes Rose Hill a comfortable location to visit the grave of your loved one and reflect on their life.