When a father experiences the unimaginable loss of a child, most of the focus turns to the mother’s grief. While this support is vital, a father’s pain is often unintentionally overlooked or misunderstood. As a result, many men struggle with their grief in silence and are forced to cope with feelings of isolation and loss without the same level of attention or support. 

This is why spaces like Men’s Sheds are so important. They provide a safe and supportive environment where men can connect with like-minded people, share their worries and find understanding from those going through the same thing. They also give them room to build relationships, rediscover purpose and navigate life’s challenges after loss.  

We understand how painful grief can be. This blog will help guide you through these emotions as well as providing places you can go to seek support.   

The challenges facing grieving fathers

When a father loses a child, men are often expected to remain strong and stoic, so they focus on supporting their families rather than addressing their own emotions. This can leave many fathers feeling isolated and unable to express their grief, heightening their pain and leaving them with no room to heal.  

Acknowledge your grief

If you’ve suffered the loss of a child, it’s important you allow yourself to wholly feel your emotions – good and bad. Give yourself permission to mourn in your own way, whether that’s through quiet reflection, talking to someone or engaging in activities that help you process your feelings. 

Open up to people you trust

It can be tempting or even instinctual to keep your emotions bottled up, but grief isn’t something you can put in a box. Instead, sharing your feelings with someone you trust can help you start to come to terms with your loss. Whether it’s a friend, partner or a support group, talking can help take some of the weight off your shoulders. It can also keep the memory of your loved one alive. You don’t have to speak if you’re not ready; writing a letter or even spending time with your friends and family in silence can bring a sense of comfort. 

Find purpose in activities you enjoy doing

Doing activities, you enjoy can help you find a sense of purpose and normalcy in your grief. Examples could include practical tasks like DIY, hobbies or even volunteering within your local community. Everyday activities provide structure and allow you to channel your energy into something other than your grief – even if it’s only for a few short hours when you feel up to it. 

Consider getting professional help

Sometimes, the weight of grief can feel too heavy to carry alone. Seeking support from a specialist bereavement therapist or counsellor can provide you with the tools you need to navigate your emotions and find a healthy way through your journey with grief.  

Seek support from Men’s Sheds

Building social connections often proves more challenging for men than it does for women. Unlike women, many older men have fewer close friendships and are less likely to open up about personal worries or health concerns. While this isn’t true for everyone, retirement can leave some men feeling adrift, as if they’ve lost their sense of purpose or identity. That’s where Men’s Sheds step in. They offer a way to rediscover connection, community and a renewed sense of belonging. 

Men’s Sheds encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their local communities. Men’s Sheds are similar to garden sheds, but instead of being solitary, they’re a place where men can build social connections and friendships while sharing skills, knowledge and plenty of laughter.  

While these spaces are known as Sheds, they can be whatever the members (or Shedders as they’re called) want them to be. This can include empty offices, portable cabins, warehouses and garages. The most important thing is that the Sheds offer men the chance to meet like-minded people, share their worries and gain a renewed sense of purpose. That’s why Men’s Sheds are vital. 

There are 900+ Open Sheds across the UK right now. Head over to the website to find a Men’s Shed in your area. You can also learn more about starting your own.

Other supportive bereavement groups

Men’s Sheds aren’t the only support group you can turn to if you need guidance. There are several other resources, charities and networks that offer help and advice, including:  

• Dad Still Standing: Award winning podcast and bereavement support for dads following the loss of a child 

• Daddy’s with Angels (DWA): A registered charity that provides easy access to resources, guidance and specialist support for dads who feel they have no one else to turn to. 

• StrongMen: They aim to support men who are often overlooked and isolated in their grief following bereavement through Man2Man peer groups, Weekenders and Talks. 

• Sands United FC: Sands United is a unique way for men impacted by baby loss to come together through a shared love of sport. They can find a support network and feel at ease talking about their grief when they’re ready.   

Find the support you need in a GreenAcres Living Memorial Park

If you’re struggling to come to terms with grief or need someone to talk to, we hold events, remembrance services and bereavement cafés at our Parks throughout the year.  

You may find particular comfort from our bereavement cafés, which are held within the beautiful landscapes of our Parks and provide a kind, supportive space with understanding from others who are also living with life after loss. We also provide grief books, signposting information to other bereavement organisations and other resources to help with your grief journey.  

Head over to our website to find a GreenAcres Bereavement Cafés. 

As our world becomes increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of our choices, funerals are no exception. Traditional burial practices often rely on materials and processes that can leave a heavy environmental footprint. However, eco-friendly alternatives, such as those offered at GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks, are transforming how we honour our loved ones while protecting the planet for future generations. At the forefront of this movement is the innovative Loop Living Cocoon™, a groundbreaking eco-coffin that exemplifies the future of sustainable burials.

The Growing Importance of Green Burials

Eco-friendly burials are designed to minimise the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices. By prioritising biodegradable materials, reducing emissions, and avoiding harmful chemicals, green burials offer a more harmonious way of returning to the earth. GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks have embraced this philosophy by providing tranquil woodland and parkland where families can say goodbye in a way that honours both their loved ones and the natural world.

Key elements of eco-friendly burials include:

• Biodegradable Coffins and Shrouds: Options like Loop Living Cocoon™, cardboard and willow are better for the environment
• Eco Grave Markers: Choosing a Living Memorial Tree or a wooden plaque instead of a headstone
• Avoiding Embalming: Skipping the use of formaldehyde and other chemicals protects surrounding soil and water

GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks are uniquely designed to support these principles, offering not only a serene resting place but also a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Introducing the Loop Living Cocoon™

The Loop Living Cocoon™ represents a revolutionary step in green funerals. Made from mycelium – the underground root network of mushrooms – and upcycled hemp fibres, this eco-coffin is 100% natural and fully biodegradable. Remarkably, it biodegrades within just 45 days, enriching the soil and increasing biodiversity. And a tree was not cut down to create this type of coffin.

Why Mycelium? Mycelium is nature’s ultimate recycler. It transforms organic matter into nutrients, shares resources with the forest floor, and enhances soil quality. By utilising mycelium, the Loop Living Cocoon™ not only minimises environmental harm but actively contributes to a healthier planet.

Features of the Loop Living Cocoon™

• Quick Growth: Developed in just seven days
• Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally, leaving no trace and enriching the soil
• Sustainable Materials: Free from paint, glue, varnish, or screws
• Customisable Interiors: Choose from natural linings like moss, hemp, wool, or bio-cotton
• Versatility: Suitable for traditional burials, natural burials, and cremations

Its hydrophobic properties make it suitable for all weather conditions, and it can be stored indefinitely when kept in a dry, ventilated space.

Redefining Legacies

Choosing the Loop Living Cocoon™ is more than an eco-friendly decision; it’s a statement about the legacy you wish to leave. By choosing a coffin that enriches the soil and promotes biodiversity, you create a living memorial that continues to give back to the earth. This aligns perfectly with GreenAcres’ mission to sustain and enhance our natural landscapes for generations to come.

Loop will have a distribution centre in the UK, meaning UK Funeral Directors will be able to purchase the Loop Living Cocoon™ on request.

A greener future

At GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks, we believe that everyone should have the information and options to make meaningful and environmentally conscious funeral choices. As we move toward achieving net-zero emissions across our business, innovations like the Loop Living Cocoon™ play a vital role in shaping the future of funerals.

Loop Biotech have also created an urn called Loop EarthRise™, just like the coffin – this feeds the earth and improves biodiversity, meaning that your loved one’s ashes can be a source for nature to flourish within the woodland, meadow, orchard, garden or lawn area of any GreenAcres Living Memorial Park. The Loop EarthRise™ urns are available to purchase directly from GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks.

If you’re planning for yourself or a loved one, consider the environmental impact of each decision. From biodegradable coffins to woodland and wildflower meadow burials, every choice can make a difference. Together, we can honour our loved ones while preserving the beauty of our planet.

To learn more about our eco-friendly burial options visit GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks. To find out more on Loop Biotech and the Loop Living Cocoon™ and Loop EarthRise™, visit Loop Living Cocoon™ – World’s first living coffin. Let’s create a legacy that honours life and nurtures the earth.

Event Overview

Cafés are held within the beautiful landscapes of our Parks where you can feel the uplifting and healing power of nature around you.

Our Bereavement Cafés are welcoming spaces where the topic of death is not a taboo, but an open and honest conversation. Here, you can say your loved one’s name, share your memories, and talk about your grief with others who truly understand.

For those not ready to share, Bereavement Cafés offer the opportunity to simply listen, to be in the presence of others navigating loss, and to find comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

These gatherings are not about fixing grief or rushing healing – they’re about creating a safe, compassionate community where every experience of loss is respected, and every story matters. Whether you come to talk, listen, or just be, you are warmly welcomed.

All are welcome. Free coffee and cake!

*Please note June’s Bereavement Café at Colney Park will held on the 2nd Saturday of the month for June only. Saturday 14 June.

While it’s not something we generally talk about out loud, many of us hope to leave behind more than just memories after death. We want to be remembered – not just for what we did, but for who we were and how we made others feel. Whether through the life lessons we’ve shared or the heirlooms we’ve passed down to new generations, the idea of leaving a legacy means our story will live on in the hearts and minds of our loved ones.

You might be wondering how you can create a legacy that lives on long after you’ve gone. From choosing your final resting place to contributing to your community, this blog explores the steps you can take to create a lasting legacy that continues long after death.

Document your life’s story

Whether through a memoir, diary or even video recordings, documenting your life’s journey can inspire your loved ones and future generations – including even family members you won’t meet. By sharing your triumphs, challenges and the lessons you learned along the way, you not only keep your memory alive once you’ve gone, but you can also help others understand their place in your family’s history. Your story becomes a bridge between the past and the future, offering both comfort to those you leave behind and a connection between you and those who come long after you.  

Pass heirlooms down to your loved ones

Passing down heirlooms is a lovely way to preserve your legacy and keep your memory alive – especially if your loved ones had a particular fondness for some of your cherished belongings. Whether it’s a piece of jewellery, a treasured ornament collection, photographs, videos, recipes or a handwritten letter, the sentimental value of your heirlooms means these items become reminders of who you were and the things you loved when you were alive. They can also be passed on through the generations, connecting you to your family long after you’re gone.

Contribute to your community

Having a positive impact within your community can create a legacy that lasts for years after your death. No matter how big or small, things like volunteering, mentoring people who need guidance or supporting local causes ensure your name is associated with positive progress within your local area. Don’t forget to talk to your loved ones about all the good things you’ve done so they’re aware of your impact within the community. After all, they’re bound to want to shout about your achievements to anyone who’ll listen.

Pre-plan your funeral

Part of creating a legacy that lives on after you’ve gone is choosing how – and where – you’d like to be remembered. End-of-life planning helps ease the financial burden on your family and also allows you to get the funeral you want. It might feel strange to think about pre-planning your own send-off, but there are several benefits if you’d like to have control over the final part of your life. Read our guide to pre-planning a funeral to find out more. 

Choose your final resting place

Considering how you’d like to be remembered helps create a long-lasting legacy. Choosing your final resting place ahead of time comes with many benefits – for example, you can find a resting place that reflects who you are and serves as a meaningful tribute to your life, values and the memories you’ve shared with loved ones.

By choosing a GreenAcres Living Memorial Park, you’ll have comfort in knowing that your final resting place will be in the beauty of nature where your loved ones will want to visit time after time. You have the choice of peaceful woodlands, stunning wildflower meadows and relaxing, well-cared-for parkland. We’ve created different Park Experiences to give you more choice when looking for a memorial that serves as a special legacy for years to come.

Find out more about our five distinctive Park Experiences.

Funerals are deeply personal, emotional ceremonies to honour the life and memory of a loved one. As part of these ceremonies, flowers have traditionally been used to express love, respect, and sympathy. However, in recent years, concerns about the environmental impact of traditional funeral flower arrangements have emerged. Many of these designs, though beautiful, are unsustainable, often constructed with single-use plastic elements such as floral foam, ribbons made from synthetic materials and plastic tape which can contribute to plastic pollution and landfill waste.

In response to these concerns, a growing number of eco-conscious florists are offering sustainable alternatives to traditional funeral flowers. These eco-friendly flower arrangements not only minimise environmental impact but also reflect the beauty and purity of nature, which can add an extra layer of meaning to the tribute for those seeking a more natural ceremony for their loved ones.

Sophie Newman Floristry

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Funeral Flowers?

It’s estimated that over 14,670 cubic meters of floral foam and single-use plastic are sent to UK landfills every year from crematoriums alone – that’s the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools! This statistic highlights the staggering waste generated by traditional funeral practices. Many florists still use floral foam – a type of plastic that crumbles over time and releases harmful microplastics into the environment. Funeral flower arrangements created with these materials not only contribute to landfill waste but also have the potential to leach harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

Plastic floral foam has been the mainstay of funeral floristry since it was invented in the 1950s. It sits at the heart of most of the letters, shapes and 3D tributes which you may see travelling by in hearses, massed in the viewing areas of crematoriums, or laid on graves in all parts of the UK.

Given what we now know about the negative impact of plastic on the environment, many families are opting for sustainable alternatives. Eco-friendly funeral flowers are made without floral foam or plastic materials and use seasonal, locally sourced flowers to reduce the carbon footprint. Instead of plastic supports, florists may use biodegradable materials like moss or bamboo to structure the arrangements.

Sustainable Funeral Flower Alternatives

There are several ways to create meaningful and sustainable funeral flower arrangements that honour the memory of a loved one while protecting the environment:

1. Hand-Tied Sheaves
   A hand-tied sheaf is a popular eco-friendly alternative to traditional casket sprays. These arrangements consist of a flat-backed bouquet with open-cut stems tied together with natural fibres, such as cotton or jute. The absence of floral foam or plastic means the entire arrangement can be buried with the casket or returned to nature without leaving any waste behind. When created with local, seasonal flowers, the carbon footprint is significantly reduced.
   

   
   Helen Sheard Floral Designs

2. Foam-Free Wreaths
   Wreaths are a common choice for funerals, but traditional wreaths are often made with floral foam rings or polystyrene bases. Eco-friendly alternatives involve creating wreaths with natural plant materials, like willow or grapevine, to form the structure. These wreaths are fully biodegradable and can be left at the burial site without concern for lingering pollution.
   

   
   Helen Sheard Floral Designs

3. Compostable Casket Tributes
   For those looking for a more elaborate arrangement to sit atop a casket, many florists now offer fully compostable designs. These tributes use natural materials, such as moss instead of floral foam to support the flowers. In some cases, florists will create reusable bases made from plant fibres or mineral-based supports that can be reclaimed after the ceremony. This eliminates waste and ensures that no harmful materials are buried with the casket. 
   

   
   Woodchurch Cottage Flowers

4. Seasonal and Local Blooms
   Another way to reduce the environmental impact of funeral flowers is to choose blooms that are in season and grown locally. Imported flowers require more resources for transportation and often come with a larger carbon footprint due to the energy needed for refrigeration and transit. By selecting flowers that are in season and locally sourced, you not only support local growers but also reduce the overall environmental impact.
   

   
   Woodchurch Cottage Flowers

5. Plastic-Free Packaging and Bouquets
   If family and friends are bringing flowers to the service, they can be encouraged to avoid bouquets wrapped in plastic or tied with plastic ribbons. Instead, guests can opt for flowers wrapped in biodegradable paper or natural fabrics. Alternatively, they can contribute to a memorial charity in lieu of flowers, further reducing waste while supporting a meaningful cause.
   

   
   The Shropshire Flower Company

How to Find Eco-Friendly Florists

In the UK, Farewell Flowers is a directory that helps families find local florists who specialise in creating plastic-free and environmentally conscious funeral flower arrangements. These florists are committed to focusing on sustainable materials and creating unique, meaningful arrangements that reflect the personality and interests of the person being remembered.

Choosing a Green Burial Site

For those organising a green funeral or burial, it’s important to check with the site about any rules they may have regarding flower displays. Some green burial sites have strict guidelines to ensure that only native plants are left on the land and that no plastic or non-biodegradable materials are used. Florists who specialise in eco-friendly funeral flowers are typically well-versed in these regulations and can create designs that adhere to the site’s guidelines.

Additionally, you can consider a Living Memorial, Living Memorials are increasingly popular for those seeking an eco-friendly way to honour loved ones.

These memorials offer a lasting tribute that grow and flourish, symbolising their life, legacy and lasting imprint on the natural world. One of the many options we have in our GreenAcres Parks is a Living Memorial Tree. Whether used for burials, a final resting place for ashes, or a special dedication; a Living Memorial Tree offers a sustainable alternative to traditional memorials, aligning personal remembrance with ecological responsibility.

By planting a Living Memorial Tree, you create a personal and lasting space for reflection while contributing positively to the environment. These trees provide habitat for wildlife, enhance air quality, contribute positively to the ecosystem and help sequester carbon.

See more on eco-burials here

Final Thoughts

Eco-friendly funeral flowers offer a way to honour loved ones in a meaningful, thoughtful manner while protecting the environment. Whether you choose hand-tied sheaves, compostable casket tributes, or wreaths made from natural materials, these arrangements ensure that your final farewell doesn’t come at the cost of our planet’s health. By working with sustainable florists and considering green alternatives, we can all play a part in reducing waste and preserving the beauty of nature, even in our moments of deepest grief.

If you’re planning a funeral and would like to make eco-conscious decisions, Farewell Flowers Directory is a wonderful resource to find UK florists dedicated to providing plastic-free and sustainable options. Let’s make the final tribute to our loved ones as gentle on the Earth as their memory is on our hearts.

Whatever your wishes we are here to work with you and your Funeral Director to give you a personalised service and the support you need. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Image Credits: the florists listed below kindly allowed us to share their photos, they are all registered with the Farewell Flowers Directory. Click the links below to visit their websites.

Helen Sheard Floral Designs

Woodchurch Cottage Flowers

The Shropshire Flower Company

Sophie Newman Floristry