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Everyone feels grief in a different way, and nobody’s response to losing a loved one will be quite the same.

Many of the steps are similar; we celebrate the life of the person we love, ensure they have a Ceremony that truly embodies who they were and what they meant.

Whilst seeking closure is universal, what this actually is will often be very different; there is no way it is supposed to look or feel, nor is there a timescale or even always a stated endpoint.

Closure is very complicated, but simple pleasures can often help you to find it. It is often found not in a single moment, but through the small steps we take to adapt to life after loss.

To understand why, it is important to explain closure, what it is and why part of the path to healing is walked through naturre.

What Is Closure?

The word ‘closure’ is deceptively simple for such a complex concept and in some respects, it is not always the most helpful term.

Closure implies an endpoint; the assumption is that there will come a day when we stop mourning and find a resolution to our feelings of loss.

In reality, closure is not about moving on but moving forward; it is about finding acceptance, understanding and relief; it is not about saying goodbye forever, but living your best life in their memory.

Sometimes this will involve a final goodbye, a release of the words we wish we were able to say. For others, it is about keeping a loved one in your heart and letting emotions and memories settle.

For others still, it is about continuing a legacy and ensuring that a part of them lives on, never to be forgotten. This could involve planting a tree in their memory, supporting a cause they loved or continuing a ritual or tradition they started.

Is Looking For Closure Helpful?

Whilst there is a natural search for answers and a familiar, almost rigid idea of closure, this is not always possible. Not everything can be so cleanly moved on from.

Because grief is so often about the absence and ambiguity, framing closure as a hunt for answers and finality can sometimes be counterproductive, even if the search for closure often leads to solace.

This is sometimes known as the “closure trap”, and it comes from the idea that the goal of processing grief is to let go, accept and put everything behind you.

But this is not how people grieve. Most do not want to put their loved one behind them in this way.

Instead, many people have a continuing bond with their loved ones, establishing a new kind of relationship with them in the face of absence.

Can Nature Help Us Find Closure? 

Nature can be both healing and supportive, but where it can be particularly important is when we search for closure.

Part of this is how nature helps to ground us in the present moment. Mindfulness often helps us to process difficult emotions such as grief, and with nature inflaming all of our senses, it can help to slow our minds and keep us focused on the here and now.

It is a space where all emotions are welcome. Nature never judges; instead, it inspires and accepts… and that can be incredibly comforting.

That release is not always necessarily overt; enjoying the great outdoors not only boosts our mood but helps us to process the emotions and thoughts that we can find difficult to address.

Nature also helps us to change our perspective on life. Nature is inherently cyclical, with death and rebirth intermingling and providing an eternal connection between past, present and future.

The natural world is incredibly resilient; even after the coldest and most barren winter, life grows again, and with the possibility for renewal, there is always hope.

People are the same; whilst loss is painful, it is also not the end. As we grow and transform, we carry the love, lessons and memories of those we have lost with us, allowing their legacy to shape the life that continues ahead.

Grief is extremely complex and difficult, and engaging with loss whilst being honest about how you feel can be especially painful.

One of the biggest questions that people reeling from the loss of a loved one ask is: Why?

Whether a search for answers or an expression of a deep-rooted anguish, we often hunt for meaning in grief, which alongside a Funeral Ceremony and suitable final resting place, can provide comfort through some degree of understanding.

If you are currently trying to find meaning amidst loss, here are five questions to ask yourself, and how you can begin to go about answering them.

Do I Need To Find Answers In Order To Find Meaning?

We are often looking for a reason why unfathomable events happen, and that is entirely understandable; answers provide security, and a lack of them can often leave us feeling unsettled.

One of the unspoken tragedies of loss is not only unfinished stories but also unanswered questions.

Ultimately, whilst it certainly can help, you do not need a complete account of your loved one to ensure that their memory has meaning. Stick to what you know about your loved one and try to avoid rumination and conjecture. 

Focus on what you know about your loved one and their wishes, and try to avoid making assumptions or dwelling on uncertainties

Remembering who they were, what they did, and the values that they held can be vital in order to find meaning following their loss, and living your life shaped by the morals and interests that they held so dear can provide clarity following a Funeral Ceremony.

Where Do You Feel Most Emotionally Safe?

There are often a lot of difficult decisions to take and arrangements to make following the loss of a loved one, and this can understandably leave people struggling to process their grief.

This is why emotional safety is one of the most important first steps of any grieving process; you need somewhere in which you can feel comfortable and safe navigating these emotions.

An emotionally safe space can be a physical location, like your home, a room, a park or a beautiful vista that you find comfort in.

A safe space is a place where we can lay the roots of healing. They are somewhere we can go to contemplate, to feel comforted and to start building ourselves up without worrying that it could collapse.

It is the base camp for any search for meaning, progression or processing, and not only helps ensure that any step forward is not followed by a step back, but also provides a place where your mind can properly rest.

What Would You Like To Say To Your Loved One?

We often have words we want to say to those we have lost that we do not get the chance. Whether it is something as simple as having one last chance to let them know what they meant to you or finding the words to express something more complicated.

Find a place for your questions and feelings to be expressed, whether that’s speaking them aloud, sharing them at your loved one’s graveside with flowers, or writing them in a journal.

 Bringing your questions and feelings into the open can help you explore them at your own pace, rather than feeling caught in a cycle of rumination.

How Would You Want Your Loved One To Be Remembered?

One unspoken part of grief is that it turns the people who loved them into curators of their legacy. The best place to start is simply to ask yourself what you want that legacy to be beyond that they were a good person who was deeply adored.

What aspects of their character, personality or life would you want to take with you? If they were an avid dog lover, would you want to adopt a dog to continue their memory? 

Would you want to start a charity in their honour? Would you want to help them achieve the dreams they were close to accomplishing?

A Celebration of Life is often preferred precisely because the ultimate goal is to determine your loved one’s legacy, especially if they lived a particularly colourful life.

What Are Your Biggest Fears About Moving Forward?

The final question to ask is one that can be difficult to answer whilst your grief is particularly raw, but it is perhaps the most important way to shape what comes next is to understand the natural fears and anxieties about keeping in place.

For example, the reason why concepts such as “closure” and “moving on” are unhelpful at times is that they imply letting go of thoughts, feelings and memories associated with your loved one, something you do not have to do in order to continue living.

For others, there is a fear that they will never be happy again or a guilt about doing so, and confronting these fears is the first step towards finding meaning and acceptance. 

In time, the goal is not to stop grieving, but to learn how to live alongside your loss while making space for hope, joy and purpose once again.

Grief is a very personal experience. We all deal with bereavement in different ways and it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to cope with the loss of someone you love. 

For many of us, grief can be overwhelming. It often arrives in waves and we can feel a range of emotions following a loss. These can range from shock, anger and guilt to sadness, exhaustion and even relief in some situations. 

It’s important to remember that all of these emotions are valid. At times you may feel as though you are struggling to cope with your grief, which is when you may seek guidance and comfort. 

The good news is that there are a lot of places where you can go for help with your grief. You may not find the kind of care or reassurance that feels right straight away, and that is okay. 

There are many ways in which you can access bereavement support, so take some time to find the one that feels right for you. We’ve rounded up some of the places you can go for support following a bereavement. 

Cruse Bereavement Support

This charity’s mission is to create a world where everyone who is grieving receives the support they need, as well as being respected and understood. There are many ways to access help through Cruse Bereavement Support.

The charity runs a helpline that is staffed by volunteers who are trained in all types of bereavement. If you need someone to speak to, you can give them a call and talk about your experiences. 

Cruse Bereavement Support also has a number of local branches located throughout the UK where you can access both one-to-one and group sessions for grief support. 

There is also a great deal of information about bereavement, as well as different ways to cope with grief on the charity’s website that you may find valuable. 

National Bereavement Service

The National Bereavement Service is an excellent online resource that offers support with both the emotional side of bereavement and the practical elements that need to be handled when a loved one passes away. 

On its website, you’ll find a directory of all the bereavement organisations in the UK, some of which offer grief support in general and others of which are tailored towards specific kinds of losses, such as providing support with grief over the loss of a child, or the loss of a loved one by suicide.

There are also factsheets available on the website to help you better understand grief and how it might be affecting you, as well as to point you to other resources that can support you during this difficult time. 

The Good Grief Trust

This is a volunteer-run organisation designed to help you find the most appropriate support for you when you are struggling with grief. 

On the Good Grief Trust site, you’ll find over 1,000 UK-based charities and organisations that provide both national and local support to those who have experienced bereavement. 

If you aren’t sure where to start, this is a good resource to visit as it will introduce you to the many organisations providing bereavement support across the country and can help you find in-person support groups that are local to you. 

Other ways to help you cope with grief

As we’ve said, coping with grief is very personal. Some of you reading this may want to find ways to manage your grief on your own, as well as potentially seeking counselling or other external support. 

Spending time in nature can be helpful for some people. Going for a walk somewhere calm and peaceful is a good way to connect to the present and get some gentle physical exercise at the same time. 

We’ve found that our Green Burial Parks often become a sanctuary in themselves for those experiencing bereavement, because they provide a peaceful, serene space where you can connect to nature. 

Going for nature walks with others can also be a good way to maintain connections with your friends and family during what can often feel like an isolating time. 

There are certain exercises that can help you to process grief and release some of the stress that can build up in your body during this time. 

A simple grounding practice, for instance, where you root both your feet into the ground and take a moment to follow the 3-2-1 exercise can be helpful. This encourages you to identify three items you can see, two sounds you can hear and one physical sensation in your body.

Some people also find that keeping a grief journal is beneficial. Writing is a useful way to organise your thoughts and process your emotions during a challenging period of your life.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is something many of us will experience at some point in life, and it can bring both emotional and practical challenges. 

While there is often a great deal of guidance available around funerals, probate and other practical matters, some important issues can still be overlooked.

The grieving process is certainly one of these. 

In the days and weeks afterwards, friends and family may rally around with sympathy, practical help and support, but over time that support can naturally lessen, leaving you feeling more isolated just when you may need connection the most.

Why Do You Need To Understand The Grieving Process?

Grieving does not end the day after the funeral, the day you return to work, or on any other artificially contrived date. Grief happens in stages and it is important to understand this.

This will ensure that you don’t place unrealistic expectations on yourself to ‘return to normal’ very quickly, or think something is wrong with you if you don’t.

What Are the 5 Stages Of Grief?

The simplest and most basic way to understand the grieving process is as an experience that comes in five specific stages:

These are all completely natural responses to loss, and while everyone experiences grief differently, they are often part of the emotional process of coming to terms with bereavement. 

The first thing to understand is that each of these stages is entirely normal and you are not alone.

Another important thing to remember is that these feelings are a normal part of grief, and you should try not to be hard on yourself for feeling them. It might be easy, for example, to feel guilty for your response in certain circumstances, especially in the anger phase.

Understanding these different emotions and responses can help you recognise that grief is rarely straightforward. People may experience some of these feelings at different times, in different orders, or even revisit them more than once throughout the grieving process. 

Having an awareness of this can be reassuring, helping you to understand that changing emotions are a natural part of bereavement and that there is no “right” way to grieve.

Understanding these stages can also help you when supporting someone else who is grieving, whether you are sharing that process as a sibling or if you are supporting a friend.

Developing your understanding of grief can help you bring understanding and empathy. Even if you’re not sharing in the present grief, your own experience enables you to say “me too”.

 Complexity In Grief

 While every experience of grief is personal, some circumstances surrounding a death can bring additional layers of shock, trauma or emotional complexity alongside bereavement itself. For example:

In situations like these, it is important to remember that extra support may be needed. Specialist bereavement services, counselling and support groups are often available for people coping with particularly traumatic or complex losses, and seeking help can be an important part of the healing process 

This is often available for specific situations, like a child dying or an unexpected death.

How Can A Peaceful Burial Park Help The Grieving Process?

If you’ve chosen to lay your loved one to rest in one of our Burial Parks, you may find comfort in spending time within the peaceful surroundings. For many people, having a quiet place to visit, reflect and remember can provide a sense of connection and calm during the grieving process. 

Being surrounded by nature can offer moments of peace and space for reflection, allowing you to remember your loved one in a personal and meaningful way, at your own pace and in your own time.

Grief is a deeply personal journey, and there is no right or wrong way to experience it. However, developing an understanding of grief and recognising the emotions that can come with bereavement may help you feel less alone as you navigate what can be a very difficult time.

Pre need funeral planning is the process of making decisions about your funeral in advance. It allows you to take time to explore your options, consider what feels right for you, and create a plan that reflects your personal wishes.

Rather than leaving decisions to be made in difficult moments, pre need funeral planning gives you the opportunity to approach things calmly, with clarity and understanding.

Why more people are planning ahead

In recent years, more people have begun to think about funeral planning in advance. For some, it’s about being organised. For others, it’s about making sure their wishes are clearly understood.

Planning ahead can help remove uncertainty, making things simpler for those close to you. It also allows you to take your time—asking questions, exploring options, and making decisions without pressure.

At its heart, pre need funeral planning is about having choice.

What does pre need funeral planning involve?

Pre need funeral planning can include a range of decisions, depending on what matters most to you.

This might involve:

For some, it’s a simple starting point. For others, it becomes a more detailed plan over time. There’s no single way to approach it—only what feels right for you.

Taking a thoughtful approach

One of the key benefits of pre need funeral planning is the ability to take a more thoughtful approach.

Instead of making decisions under pressure, you can reflect on what matters most. This might include the environment, the atmosphere, or the experience you would like to leave behind for family and friends.

For many people, this means choosing a setting that feels calm, natural, and personal—somewhere that offers space to reflect as well as a place to return to.

Understanding your options

Not everyone realises how many options are available when it comes to funeral planning. Taking time to understand these choices can make a significant difference.

Speaking with a funeral director or planning specialist can help you explore what’s possible, ask questions, and gain clarity around different approaches.

This is why pre need funeral planning is often less about making immediate decisions, and more about starting a conversation.

The financial side of planning ahead

For some people, pre need funeral planning also includes thinking about the financial side of arrangements.

There are different ways to approach this. Some people choose to plan and pay in advance, while others prefer to explore options and decide later.

At GreenAcres, we recognise that planning ahead should feel manageable. As part of our current summer promotion , we offer a flexible way to spread the cost of pre-need arrangements, helping make thoughtful planning more accessible.

When is the right time to start?

There’s no set time to begin pre need funeral planning.

For some, it follows a life event or personal experience. For others, it’s simply a natural part of planning ahead—much like writing a will or organising finances.

The most important thing is that it happens at a time that feels right for you.

A more personal way to plan ahead

Pre need funeral planning is, ultimately, a personal decision. It’s about creating something that reflects your wishes, in a way that feels considered and meaningful.

At GreenAcres, we support people in taking that step at their own pace. Our memorial parks are designed to offer a peaceful, natural environment where you can reflect, explore your options, and plan ahead with clarity.

Taking the first step

For many people, the first step in pre need funeral planning is simply learning more.

Understanding your options, asking questions, and having conversations can help you feel more confident about what lies ahead.

If you’re considering pre need funeral planning, taking a little time to explore your options can make all the difference.

A Memorial Service can take so many forms, which reflects the countless incredible lives that are lived to their fullest. 

Some of these are more formal, funereal and religious, celebrating the faith of a loved one before allowing them to transition from one stage of life to the next. 

Other Ceremonies, meanwhile, are more focused on ensuring that they will always live on through the memories of the lives they touched.

This is the essence of a Celebration of Life, a Ceremony that focuses on the memories, life and legacy a loved one leaves behind, with a structure as varied and unique as the person themselves.

There are countless ways to organise a Celebration of Life that pays a fitting tribute to the people who matter most in your life, but here are five ideas to make your Ceremony more meaningful, special and unforgettable.

A Celebration Of Life In Nature

Some people found their home in the beautiful outdoors, and if they lived most of their life in nature, it is often fitting for their Celebration of Life to be held in a setting they loved.

This could be something as simple as a walk through one of our Living Memorial Parks at sunrise, a picnic filled with delicious food, stories and games, a garden party or a tree planting Ceremony to begin the circle of life anew.

Nature is often a sanctuary through which we process loss and celebrating a life lived in nature is not only deeply fitting but can help the healing process.

A Celebration Of Life Through Creativity

Many people dedicate their lives to art, whether through their own creations or by celebrating the work they love. Some of the most meaningful Celebrations of Life channel that creativity into lasting tributes that honour the impact they had on the world.

If they had published art or works that they were happy to display, setting up an exhibition could serve as a beautiful tribute to their lasting legacy.

Similarly, reading passages that they had written or poems that they loved can be a particularly powerful elegy. Film screenings, jam sessions, or a playlist of music they adored can also provide a fitting inclusion.

Another thoughtful option to consider is a type of collaborative art, such as a memory quilt, a collaborative mural, a collection of photographs or a letter display of notes that show just how deeply they were loved.

As long as it is creative and collaborative, there are a lot of options for an artistic Celebration of Life.

A Celebration Of Life Through Food

Memory is multisensory, and many of the greatest Celebrations of Life indulge all five of our senses to help us eternally remember a loved one.

If your loved one has any signature recipes, then you could hold a gathering where these are recreated and shared with guests to ensure they are passed on to future generations.

Similarly, sharing a picnic or dinner made up of dishes that you associate with your loved one can be deeply meaningful. 

Holding a tasting session of drinks they enjoyed throughout their life or indulging in a culinary tradition they never missed will ensure they will always be remembered.

A Celebration Of Life Through Technology

A Celebration of Life is not bound by location, and there are countless ways to ensure that everyone who wants to remember a loved one can do so.

These can include virtual Ceremonies held in a beautiful location with livestreaming cameras fitted to allow others to virtually attend, it can include a memorial website with guestbook, images and videos, or a digital time capsule of unforgettable memories.

A Celebration Of Life Through Games

Some people spend their lives bringing joy to themselves and others, and what they would want you to do at their Celebration of Life is to love life the way they always did.

Setting up their favourite games during a Celebration of Life, playing them in groups and bringing joy to the room is often the most fitting tribute it is possible to have.

Similarly, charity sport matches, fun runs, hobby days, or other activity-based memorials showcase and help celebrate the side of them that they would want you to remember most.

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and finding a meaningful way to honour their legacy is deeply important. Traditional funeral services and burials may not always meet every family’s needs.

This is especially true if they fail to properly reflect the character, lifestyle and values of a much-loved person whose life has had a positive impact on many.

If someone lived a life full of joy and colour, is a mournful occasion with sombre music and black ties the right way to mark their passing? Should it just be a day of tears and not of laughter?

This may be extended to the burial itself. Would laying them to rest in a traditional graveyard and putting up a headstone be a fitting way to say goodbye?

If you are not satisfied with the legacy that this would provide for your loved one, many others feel the same way. But what should you do instead? And could a non-traditional parkland burial amid trees and nature be a more fitting final resting place?

There are several matters you could consider when thinking of the best way to honour a loved one and their legacy:

What Is A Celebration Of Life Service?

In the first case, ‘celebration of life’ services have become increasingly popular in recent years. It is not hard to understand why.

These ceremonies replace sombre tones, tears and dressing in black with colour, music and laughter, with the focus on great memories and fun. It is less about a life ended than a life well lived with so much to celebrate.

Such services can be very informal and even irreverent, although our service halls do make allowance for different faiths, beliefs and practices, including those traditions that would be relevant to your loved one.

Among the services we provide are eco-friendly cremations, which may be particularly pertinent for anyone who felt strongly about protecting the natural world.

What Is The Appeal Of A Burial In A More Natural Setting?

Natural settings offer a more personal approach to burial, where loved ones are laid to rest among greenery, nature, trees and flowers, rather than within the more formal layout of a traditional cemetery. Some might observe that this is not a new idea. Indeed, many people have had their ashes scattered in places they loved in life with no grave or memorial present.

Famous examples would include people like Alfred Wainwright, the writer of guides to the Lake District hills and mountains. His ashes were scattered on his favourite peak, Haystacks.

The most outlandish move was that of the astronomer Eugene Shoemaker, co-discoverer of a comet that famously struck Jupiter in 1994, who had his ashes sent by rocket to the moon.

However, for some people, especially in later life, even reaching a Lake District summit would be quite a challenge, let alone the moon. But for nature lovers and their families, the sites we offer provide the perfect balance between accessibility and verdant serenity.

Why Does It Make Sense Not To Have A Headstone?

Doing without a headstone may not be everyone’s choice, but there are many practical benefits to this.

As well as being cost-effective and requiring less maintenance, natural burials are also unobtrusive, making them suitable for those who want to feel at one with nature.  They are also less likely to fall into disrepair over time, unlike many traditional graves.

Moreover, it means that in the future, when you visit the parkland where your loved one is buried, you don’t need to worry about maintaining headstones or memorials, as the surroundings remain naturally cared for. 

Instead, it is all about a place, reflection and the beauty of nature.

In modern times, the artificial can often seem to supersede the organic world, but death is a natural part of life and all our science and technology does not change that. However, it can help to preserve memories.

With digital cameras and recording equipment being ubiquitous, it is easier to record more of a person in their lifetime, preserving pictures and speech more effectively than just a few dusty photo albums.

These means of maintaining memories might even be included in a celebration of life service. This can increase the focus further on the life and legacy of a loved one, and all the things to smile about because they were here.

During times of struggle, trouble and strife, we all look for a sanctuary. A place that can help to protect us, guide us and grant us the space to process and find a way forward.

Whether it is a voice that speaks to us, a sound that provides comfort when nothing else can or a place where we can feel like we can be still and feel safe to be ourselves and express ourselves however we need to.

During times of loss, our green Burial Parks can become a sanctuary in themselves; calm, natural places that offer comfort and support.

A Funeral Ceremony is always very emotional. By providing a place where you can grieve and ground yourself in nature, we hope to help begin the healing process and provide a safe space to return to whenever you need.

When you are struggling, it is important to find a sanctuary, but what does that look like? 

The answer will be different for everyone, but here is some guidance to help you seek out a safe haven when grief, stress, or other powerful emotions break through.

What Is A Sanctuary?

The idea of sanctuary as we recognise it today originates from Ancient Greece and medieval England. It was a place where people who feared for their lives could find safety, shelter and food, although it is likely to have existed for as long as civilisation has.

It is a haven, a place where we can escape the weight of the world and the problems that afflict us in our everyday lives. In a world of sound, fury and constant movement, it is essential to have a place to stop – and this is what a sanctuary is.

How Can You Find Sanctuary?

Discovering your sanctuary is an intimately personal journey; everyone will have a different idea of what feels safe. Various places will provide that sense of inner peace, and for some, sanctuary is not even necessarily a physical place.

The first step to finding this place of safety, therefore, is to understand what it is to you. Sanctuary is a place where you feel you can unburden yourself and feel at ease.

Whilst this is far from an exhaustive list, here are some qualities to consider:

Everyone will find a different place where these qualities will catch them: an art gallery or museum, a library, a park, a chapel, or even somewhere like a gym or an observatory. 

Anywhere where only the present exists can be a sanctuary.

The first step to finding such a place is to look for one. Think of places where you felt calmness and stillness in your life, and visit them again with the intention of being present in the moment. 

If you feel that calmness and tranquillity when you return, then you have found your sanctuary, no matter where it is.

Why Is Nature A Sanctuary?

For many people, sanctuary is found in a natural place. Parks, nature reserves, conservation areas and public gardens are all well suited to being sanctuaries and provide a particular sense of grounding that few other locations can.

Part of this is that people are inherently biophilic; we tend to be drawn to natural spaces for a wide variety of reasons and there are links between spending time in nature and improved wellbeing.

Another part of this is that nature is multisensory; you do not just look at nature but experience it through the rustle of grass and the harmony of birdsong, through the feel of tree bark and grass underfoot, through the smell of flowers and the taste of dew in the air.

Nature also tends to ground us in the moment; rather than being pulled along at the frenetic pace of society, we settle towards the calmer, more relaxed tempo of the natural world around us.

Finally, nature reminds us that the world around us exists in cycles; it is constantly refreshing and renewing itself, and this provides hope that we can do the same in our lives.

Nature has a remarkable power over our ability to process and find peace, and the simple act of walking can help us to find the answers that lie within ourselves.

The power of walking for creative thinking has been well-known for centuries. Some of history’s greatest thinkers, from Charles Darwin to Albert Einstein, were habitual walkers who would ensure that they spent time every day strolling in nature.

And, of course, the answers and “eureka moments” that walking in a beautiful green space provides are available to everyone. These experiences can help with everything from solving an issue at work to reflecting on our grief and struggles in life.

Walking is powerfully meditative, but why does it work? How can it help us to emotionally move forward at the same pace as we physically move forward? And how can you start walking if you struggle to find the energy?

How Does Walking In Nature Help Us Contemplate?

Most people will experience a time in their life when they are overwhelmingly stressed, frustrated, angry or sad, but often feel going out for a walk helps to lift their mood. 

It may not always provide all the answers, but after the walk, the overbearing emotions do not weigh as heavily on our minds.

People have walked to reflect for as long as humanity has lived, but why does walking help as much as it does?

There are countless reasons, but here are some of the biggest ways in which walking helps us to reflect.

Movement, Rhythm & The Mind-Body Connection

There is a profound connection between the mind and the body, and how we move affects how we think to a significant degree.

This is especially true with walking, as well as running, swimming and cycling. These activities are rhythmic, predictable and provide our brains with endorphins to help relieve stress and help us to think beyond the cortisol generated through stress.

The regular tempo of a walk also allows us to think at our own pace, which removes the pressure of trying to work through our thoughts quickly or the inertia that often allows them to linger.

New Surroundings

A walk, particularly a long one, gives us a whole new landscape to explore, to take in and to spark our imagination, senses and memories.

Sometimes it takes something new to help us work through thoughts we have been ruminating on.

Mindfulness

Focusing on the moment is the central premise of mindfulness. Walking with intention draws us into our surroundings, the sensory grounding that comes from the sights, sounds, smells and touch of the natural world, and the beauty of the moment itself.

This is often a valuable opportunity to focus on our thoughts without pressure or self-judgement, and it is this sense of space that helps us to feel better following a reflective walk.

Cutting Off Distractions

When you are at home or at work, it is easy to get distracted in ways that can make it difficult to focus on yourself and your thoughts. Even aside from the physical distractions and noise, there is a subconscious obligation to constantly be available.

Taking yourself away from more familiar spaces, especially if you turn off your phone, can help you focus on yourself.

How Can You Start Walking If You Struggle To Find The Energy?

The mind-body connection can sometimes work in reverse; if we are stressed, the pressure to get moving can sometimes be paralysing, even if we know that just one walk or exercise routine can boost our mood significantly. 

If you are struggling to get out and about, here are some tips to build up your energy and motivation:

Visit Spring Into Wellness This April

To help provide a place to reflect surrounded by the beauty of spring, we have organised Spring Into Wellness on 25th April 2026 at Colney Park and Rainford Park. 

It is a free event that provides opportunities to reflect, relax and embrace the power of the natural world and how it can enable us to process and heal.

With a guided tour of the Park showcasing the flora, fauna and mission of our five Park Experiences, as well as picturesque walking trails to explore and refreshments to enjoy, Spring Into Wellness can help you find grounding in nature, whether you are looking for joy, peace or connection.

Losing a loved one is often extremely overwhelming, shocking and difficult to manage, and how it affects different people can vary in very distinctive ways.

Whilst a Funeral Ceremony can help to celebrate a loved one’s life and ensure they will always be remembered, it also helps those who cared for them to find a sense of closure and begin to process their grief.

Part of how this can benefit comes from your loved one’s final resting place and being in a green burial park, amidst the first bloom of spring, can help a sense of hope begin to emerge through the grief.

Nature is healing in a lot of ways for people who are currently grieving or need to take time to process their emotions.

To understand why, it is important to explore how grounding works more broadly, and how these principles can be combined with the healing power of nature to help us work through loss.

What Is Grounding?

The concept of grounding is an active effort to recentre yourself in the moment following trauma or tragedy. When you experience loss, it can be so overwhelming that it becomes difficult to stay present, as intrusive thoughts and emotions take over.

It is a similar concept to mindfulness, and both work extremely well in nature due to the incredible sensory effect the natural world has on us. 

The Countdown Technique

Most people are aware of the countdown or 5-4-3-2-1 technique to ground themselves in the moment during a moment of emotional crisis, but it can help you reconnect to your senses, particularly if you feel like you are disassociating.

To ground yourself using the countdown technique, focus on:

How Can Nature Help Us Grieve?

There are a lot of reasons why nature has the power to help us process our loss, but one of the most significant is the sense of intention it encourages when we spend time in it.

Modern life can feel fast-paced and overwhelming, leaving little space to process how we feel but stepping into nature has the side-effect of grounding us and slowing down the pace. We move in harmony with the flutter of wings and the flow of a tranquil stream.

It allows us to reflect, to comfortably contemplate in solitude without feeling lonely and alone, whilst also providing a reminder of the natural cycles of life, particularly during a time of renewal as potent as spring.

Whilst loss can feel like an end, nature can provide us with the perspective of a new beginning, one that we can reach at our own pace and by following the natural pathways which connect us to nature. 

The 5 Pathways Of Nature

When you have laid your loved one to rest, it is nice to have a dedicated place to visit where you can pay your respects, relive your memories and continue to honour them in a way that feels right for you. 

This is why having your loved one interred in one of our Living Memorial Parks is an ideal option, because it will ensure you always have a place, surrounded by nature, that you can visit and enjoy as you remember those who have passed. 

Many people choose to plant a specific tree or plant in memory of their loved one, to provide a focal point for their visits. 

There is no single ‘right’ choice when it comes to selecting a tree or plant for Remembrance. In death, as in life, we are all unique. 

You may wish to honour your loved one with a shrub or tree that reflects their personality or holds special meaning. Our Park teams will be on hand to guide you through the suitable options, ensuring your choice fits beautifully within the natural landscape.

If you are looking for inspiration, we’ve included some trees and plants that are traditionally associated with Remembrance.

Oak trees*

Oak trees are a popular choice because they are slow growing and long lived. What’s more, our native oak trees harbour incredible biodiversity, with over 2,300 species supported by these trees and 326 species relying on oak trees for their own survival.  

Because of their long lives – often into the hundreds and in some cases even over 1,000 years – oak trees provide an enduring memorial. They are often associated with strength, which can also make them appealing as a memorial tree. 

Hawthorn trees*

Hawthorn trees are associated with originality, while in Pagan lore they are symbols of fertility and have strong ties to May Day celebrations. Hawthorns are stunning trees, with their white flowers often highlighting the arrival of spring. 

In the autumn, hawthorn trees produce bright red berries. Like oaks, they are an important species for supporting the UK’s native wildlife. Yellowhammers in particular enjoy feasting on the tree’s berries, called haws, when they appear in autumn. 

Silver birch trees*

Due to their instantly recognisable and beautiful bark, silver birch trees are a popular choice for remembrance trees. They are symbolic of new beginnings, regeneration and hope, which adds to their appeal in settings like Living Memorial Parks. 

Interestingly, silver birch are considered to be “pioneer species” because they can colonise open land, paving the way for other species to grow and in the process creating new woodland.

Silver birch trees are therefore important for our woodlands as well as being aesthetically pleasing, making them an excellent option if you want to remember your loved one while looking to the future. 

Rowan trees*

For those who feel affinity with Celtic beliefs, the rowan tree is a beautiful choice for a Memorial Tree. Rowan trees are also known as the Tree of Life and have long been used in rituals for protection.

The vibrant orange-red berries that appear in the autumn were used in years gone by for protection against evil, as red was considered the best colour for warding off evil. Different places have different beliefs about rowan trees.

For instance, in Ireland they were often planted near houses to ward off spirits, while in Wales they were commonly planted in churchyards. 

Either way, they are a beautiful tree that provides joy and colour throughout the year, not to mention being a haven for wildlife. 

Rosemary*

Away from trees, rosemary plants are often associated with Remembrance. As an evergreen plant, they are symbolic of eternal life, which is a wonderful sentiment for a plant that is designed to remind you of someone you love. 

Rosemary has been used throughout the ages as part of burial rituals too – the ancient Romans and Greeks would place sprigs of rosemary on those who had departed as a symbol of immortality. 

In addition, the ancient Egyptians used rosemary in their embalming process to help departed souls move into the afterlife. 

Historical associations aside, the scent of rosemary is also known to be calming, which is another reason why it is a popular plant in Remembrance Gardens. 

Forget me nots*

The name of these delicate blue flowers lends itself to remembrance and they have long been associated with enduring love. They thrive in areas of sun or partial shade, which can make them a good choice along the edge of a woodland. 

They typically flower from April to September in the UK and will self-seed, so even after the original plant has been through its two-year lifecycle, new flowers will bloom in and around it each year.

*While many trees and plants hold special meaning, it’s important to note that not all species are suitable for planting within our Parks. 

Each Park is carefully managed to support native biodiversity and long-term landscape health, so our team will guide you on the appropriate species available for Living Memorial Trees and Tribute Trees. 

This ensures that every tree not only honours your loved one, but also contributes positively to the natural environment.

For more information on suitable species and available options, please speak to your local Park team, who will be happy to guide you.

Any Remembrance Ceremony, whether it takes the form of a religious Funeral or a Celebration of Life, is all about honouring the life of a loved one.

This means that, even when the undertaking of religious rites is the priority of a particular ceremony, ensuring they are memorialised as a part of our Living Memorial Parks remains essential.

Celebrating the unique imprint a friend, family member or loved one left on the world matters deeply.

For Celebrations of Life, especially the life they lived and the impact they left on the people who matter most to them, is the biggest aspect of the ceremony. It gives friends and family an opportunity to get involved, share stories and make the ceremony the most fitting memorial.

Adding a personal touch makes memorable Ceremony mean even more and leave a greater impression, and we can work with you, your funeral director and your celebrant to help craft a meaningful tribute to your loved one.

With that in mind, here are some ways you can add a beautiful, deeply personal dimension to your loved one’s Funeral Ceremony.

Can You Incorporate Cultural Traditions Into A Life-Centred Ceremony?

The scope for personalising a traditional, cultural or religious Funeral Ceremony depends on the particular religion, culture and celebrant. Because religious rites are such an important part of the ceremony, they can limit what you can change.

However, the reverse is not the case. If a Celebration of Life is what your loved one requested in their will or you, your family and your funeral director agree it is the best way to celebrate your loved one’s life in totality, you can add cultural and religious traditions to it however you deem suitable.

These traditions can include:

Let us, your funeral director and your celebrant know ahead of time so we can discuss your needs and ensure they are respected and undertaken with the utmost dignity.

How Can Photographs Be Incorporated Into A Memorial Ceremony?

One of the simplest ways to personalise a Memorial is to add photographs to the Service Hall. We offer a lot of options for adding displays to the Hall, so we will do our utmost to ensure that your loved one is honoured.

This can be as poignant as a single photograph of your loved one placed front and centre, providing a focal point for guests to pay their tributes, or it can be as vibrant as a collage of memories from childhood throughout their life.

This can take various forms, including:

What Music Is Most Appropriate For A Memorial Ceremony?

Whilst traditional Funeral Ceremonies typically limit music choices to hymns and traditional songs, a Celebration of Life works best when it is music that reflects your loved one’s tastes, personality and style the most.

Music shapes the Ceremony more than anything else, which is part of the reason why the songs we use to pay tribute to each other matter so much and can be so personal.

Exactly which music would be best depends on your loved one’s taste, and many friends and family might have experienced different aspects of their music taste. A rich spectrum of what they enjoyed throughout life will often lead to a beautiful Ceremony.

Because music is such a rich tapestry, here are some ways in which to choose the best songs to celebrate your loved one:

Throughout human history, there have been different ways to celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed, and for just as many years, people have looked for the most fitting way to ensure that someone is never forgotten.

In recent years, the need for a reflective memorial that truly celebrates a loved one and everything that they represent in the hearts of those who knew them has grown. This has led to a growing desire for alternative forms of memorial.

One of these options is to be part of a Living Memorial Park, an enduring and everlasting part of the natural world. It allows their memory to continue making an impact long after the ceremony has concluded.

There are countless alternative memorials available to act as a fitting epitaph to people when a traditional religious funeral would not truly represent a person and how they lived their life.

In a world where celebrating the lives of those we have lost matters more than ever, it is important to understand what an alternative memorial is, why it has become so popular, and where a Living Memorial fits within this changing landscape.

What is an Alternative Memorial?

An alternative memorial is any Ceremony or Service that is meant to remember a person but is decentered from a Funeral structured around traditional religious rites or sacraments.

This does not necessarily mean that all alternative memorials are entirely decoupled from faith or spirituality. 

Instead, the focus is on celebrating the person, sharing stories, doing activities that reflect how they lived or what they loved in life. It also emphasises how they will live on through the impact they had on other people.

The most popular alternative memorial is the Celebration of Life, a non-traditional, non-religious Service that is either a part of a traditional funeral ceremony or as a replacement that aims to leave a lasting legacy.

Sometimes this is a completely new ceremony, whilst in other cases it resembles a more traditional funeral but with more personal elements included, often included at the request of the dearly departed.

These are often very personal but can include:

Why Have Alternative Memorials Become More Popular?

Traditionally, people have not had too much of a say in how they are remembered, with their funeral being dictated largely by their religious group and faith. 

Our Service Halls can accommodate a wide range of religious services before burial in our Living Memorial Parks, and many people continue to choose a traditional ceremony. 

At the same time, others are thinking more carefully about how they want to be remembered. They may prefer a celebration that more closely reflects their personality, values, and life.

A Religious Ceremony Does Not Fit

Some denominations are more flexible than others, but there are typically limits to what can be altered with a ceremony, the burial/cremation and what happens after it.

The Church of England, for example, has allowances for a degree of personalisation, with flowers, personal effects, music, readings and prayers available to be tailored to suit a particular person. 

However, the fundamental purpose and structure of the service is a religious rite of passage from one stage of life to the next.

As people have more unique belief systems which strain against the confines of traditional services, some people opt for an alternative ceremony which allows for their way of coping.

A More Upbeat Celebration

Whilst not a new term, the concept of a Celebration of Life is fitting. Some people do not want their funeral ceremony to leave people sad, upset and focused on loss, but instead more hopeful and optimistic, ending a ceremony filled with love and joy in the name of a loved one.

For people who lived their lives filling the hearts of others with happiness, this is a more appropriate ceremony, and it allows for an unforgettable occasion that will, in turn, help ensure the spirit of a loved one lives on in everyone else.

Inclusivity

A loved one touched the hearts of countless other people, from family and friends to members of the community, subcultures and coworkers, all of whom felt their impact in individual ways.

An alternative memorial allows all of these groups to come together and celebrate someone in all of their multitudes.

Flexibility

Everything from the venue to the structure of the ceremony can be customised and come from the heart, creating the most fitting tribute to a person.

None of us like to think about dying, but the reality is that it’s an inevitable part of life. While you may not want to confront your own mortality, it’s important to take the time to consider what you would like to happen when you pass away.

This will ensure that not only do your wishes get enacted, but also that your family has a clear blueprint to guide them during what is likely to be a challenging time. 

By planning for your funeral, you can give them peace of mind that they’re following your wishes and take some of the stress out of the funeral planning process. 

So, if you’re ready to start planning your funeral in 2026, here is our guide to what you need to consider.

1. Paying for your funeral

It’s easy to forget that funerals cost money and, in fact, how much money you have set aside can have an impact on the type of funeral you have. 

According to figures from Money Helper, a basic cremation costs an average of £1,597 in the UK, while a burial carried out through a funeral director comes in at over £5,000. Thinking about this and setting aside some cash ahead of time can be very helpful for your family. 

One option is to choose a pre-paid funeral plan, or to give you a bit more control and alleviate some of the organisational burden from your family, you could pre-purchase a plot in a green burial park and even pay for the associated service. 

This not only means that you can be sure your wishes will be followed, but also that your family won’t be left facing any unexpected costs. 

2. Discussing your wishes

Planning your funeral isn’t a task that you should carry out in isolation. It can be highly beneficial to talk about your wishes with your loved ones, so that they can ask questions and better understand what you want to happen when you pass away and why. 

One survey found that just under half (49 per cent) of Brits had considered what their funeral would look like. As you might expect, this percentage increases as people get older. 

However, imagining what your funeral will look like is very different to communicating that with the people you love. 

If you’ve chosen burial in a funeral park and you’ve picked a plot that you are pre-paying for, you may even want to consider visiting it with those closest to you, so that you can explain its significance for you. 

3. Thinking about the funeral service

When people think of expressing their wishes for a funeral, their first thought may well be whether they would prefer to be buried or cremated. But this is only one decision to make surrounding your funeral. 

For instance, if you would like to be cremated, have you also considered where you’d like your ashes to be scattered? 

When it comes to the service itself, would you like it to be religious? Are there any readings or songs you would like to include? Perhaps you’d prefer it if all of your friends and family dressed in your favourite colour rather than the more traditional black?

All of these are elements you can pre-plan. You could write out a plan for your funeral that your family can refer to when you’re gone. You may even want to include some of your loved ones in the process of putting this together. 

4. Putting your affairs in order

The bureaucracy around death can feel challenging and one simple way to ease the burden is to ensure you have an up-to-date will that expresses your wishes. 

According to the Money & Pensions Service, over half (56 per cent) of Brits over the age of 18 do not have a will in place. 

Perhaps more surprisingly, 53 per cent of those aged 50 to 64 do not have a will. But if you die without a will in place, it can make the process of sorting out your estate and tying up your affairs more complicated for those you leave behind. 

In addition to a will, you may also want to look into lasting powers of attorney. These documents allow an individual or individuals you trust to make decisions about your finances, health and wellbeing if you lack the capacity to do so yourself. 

While not the lightest topic of conversation, it is important. If you decide that 2026 will be the year you start pre-planning your funeral, you could incorporate the legal aspects into your discussions with your family.