Interment of Ashes

Tree Cathedral Green Burial Meadow.jpg

A special place at the heart of the city for a loved one’s final resting place

There is a unique cathedral in Milton Keynes, located in the midst of stunning parkland this tranquil space is available for those seeking a simple, natural and beautiful location to inter their loved ones ashes. A peaceful haven, home to a variety of wildlife, The Tree Cathedral meadow at Newlands provides a serene sanctuary and an entirely natural setting for the interment of ashes.

We want to preserve and not detract from the very special nature of The Tree Cathedral and regret that we cannot allow gravestones, markers or other personal mementos on the site. If the memorial opportunities at the Tree Cathedral are not appropriate for you and you feel you would prefer a permanent memorial you may wish to consider other options in Milton Keynes.

More information and how to book

The interment of ashes in a casket or contained ashes scattering, organised by our approved celebrant costs £600.

This service is available on weekdays only, between 10am and 2pm, subject to availability.

The interment of ashes at the Tree Cathedral are being operated by a local celebrant with support from The Parks Trust team. For initial enquiries and to book, please contact local celebrant James Easton on james@storybookceremonies.co.uk. Information about James Easton's services can be seen on his website story book ceremonies.

If you have other enquiries relating to the Tree Cathedral and green burials, please email The Parks Trust at greenburials@theparkstrust.com or call on 01908 233600.

For visitor information, please view The Tree Cathedral webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • How does an interment work?

    An interment is where the ashes are laid to rest in the ground. They can remain in a container of some sort (at the Tree Cathedral this would need to be biodegradable). Alternatively, they can be placed freely into the ground or partly left in the container with the lid removed. We call this a contained ashes scattering.

    Ashes are not on left on the surface or scattered to the wind.

    For more information on why we do not give permission to scatter ashes in our parklands aside from contained ashes scatterings at the Tree Cathedral, please contact us at greenburials@theparkstrust.com.

  • Does there have to be an officiant and a ceremony when the ashes are interred?

    This is not essential but can be arranged if you wish.

    The Celebrant who facilitates the interments on our behalf will be present on the day to meet and show you the prepared plot and is happy to say a few words if you would like, with or without the participation of family members / friends present.

    If you prefer, they will move away and leave you to complete the interment quietly by yourself in whatever way you want to.

  • What legal paperwork will need to be completed for the interment to go ahead?

    The Cremation Certificate for the ashes needs to be checked prior to the interment by the Celebrant. After the interment, this will be held on file by The Parks Trust.

  • Are memorial items allowed?

    No memorials of any kind are permitted within the cemetery. Any memorials left on site will be removed immediately and stored for collection at The Parks Trust offices.  Items not collected within 30 days will be disposed of.  Memorials include (but not exclusively) soft toys, pictures, wind chimes, articles of clothing, real or artificial plants of any description, ornaments, head stones or grave markers, lanterns, candles or holders of any description, fencing, balloons or seasonal items.  A small posy of fresh flowers may be left at the time of interment / contained scattering but will be removed after 7 days.

  • Can I book an interment for our pets’ ashes?

    Unfortunately, this is not something we offer.

  • Can we re-open our existing plot for the interment of a second family member?

    Yes, it is possible to negotiate the interment of a second significant family member within a previously used plot. Two sets of ashes can be interred within one plot as a maximum.

  • Can I plant a tree for our loved one/s?

    Across our whole parks system, the Parks Trust no longer facilitates the planting of memorial trees for operational reasons.

    The Tree Cathedral is full of a variety of wonderful trees. A good part of the costs we charge for the green burial facility is reinvested directly back into the care of their management which at times, includes replacement / additional trees.

  • Can we have a memorial bench at The Tree Cathedral?

    We have two benches currently dedicated at The Tree Cathedral and do not plan on installing any more.

    For other locations across our green estate available for memorial benches, please contact us at ops.support@theparkstrust.com.

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