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sandy saunders

Guest
While on my walk last Sunday from East Meon, Hampshire, I left the South
Downs Way at Mercury Park and followed a footpath south on the western side
of Combe Wood ....... or so I thought! I inadvertently took a left fork
instead of right, and not long into the wood I reached a small area cleared
of trees with what looked like graves. No headstones but randomly placed
mounds of earth, some were obviously recent as fresh flowers had been placed
on the mounds. My first thought was that it was an animal burial site, but
on turning back to join the correct path, I noticed a sign for the South
Downs Natural Burial Site. I was intrigued, so I did a search last night on
Google, and there are some 200 of these burial sites around the UK. Those
who wish can be buried there in a wicker cask/biodegradable 'box', back to
nature so to speak, and have a tree planted at the spot.

One of the strangest things I have come across on my many walks ...... could
be a bit spooky though in the fading light!

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
email: saunders.sandy at ntlworld.com

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'
 
Following up to sandy saunders

>My first thought was that it was an animal burial site, but
>on turning back to join the correct path, I noticed a sign for the South
>Downs Natural Burial Site.

sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
of Wasd'ale!
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
 
> sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
> hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
> with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
> of Wasd'ale!

It is certainly a very tranquil setting. There are also a couple of wooden
benches amongst the trees surrounding the burial ground I passed, where
close ones can relax in a woodland atmosphere.

I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also wanted
a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
email: saunders.sandy at ntlworld.com

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'
 
Following up to sandy saunders

>I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
>England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also wanted
>a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!

you would find out who your friends had been, how many would
"process" the whisky first :)
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
 
In article <[email protected]>, sandy saunders
<[email protected]> writes
>> sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
>> hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
>> with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
>> of Wasd'ale!
>
>It is certainly a very tranquil setting. There are also a couple of wooden
>benches amongst the trees surrounding the burial ground I passed, where
>close ones can relax in a woodland atmosphere.
>
>I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
>England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also wanted
>a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!
>

This is not specifically aimed at you Sandy or anybody else here.

I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5
litres. Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could
have an impact on the enjoyment of the place by others. I therefore
think it important that the friends / family consider the current and
future enjoyment of a place that was special to their loved one.

In the case of my late wife, who had not made any requests, the majority
on her ashes were buried conventionally and I took a small amount to be
scattered very subtly in a few places that were special to her. I very
much doubt that anybody not directly involved even noticed that there
were any ashes left behind.

Personally I am very happy to have the same thing done with my remains
when I die...

--

Dominic Sexton
 
On Tue, 06 Dec 2005 18:02:55 +0000, The Reid
<[email protected]> wrote:

| Following up to sandy saunders
|
| >My first thought was that it was an animal burial site, but
| >on turning back to join the correct path, I noticed a sign for the South
| >Downs Natural Burial Site.
|
| sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
| hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
| with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
| of Wasd'ale!

As in Ilkley moor bart 'at
Which ends "Then we shall all have eten thee"
--
Dave Fawthrop <dave hyphenologist co uk> Sick of Premium SMS scams,
SMS marketing, Direct marketing phone calls, Silent phone calls?
Register with http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
IME they work :)
 
"Dave Fawthrop" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Tue, 06 Dec 2005 18:02:55 +0000, The Reid
<[email protected]> wrote:

| Following up to sandy saunders
|
| >My first thought was that it was an animal burial site, but
| >on turning back to join the correct path, I noticed a sign for the South
| >Downs Natural Burial Site.
|
| sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
| hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
| with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
| of Wasd'ale!

As in Ilkley moor bart 'at
Which ends "Then we shall all have eten thee"
--
Dave Fawthrop <dave hyphenologist co uk> Sick of Premium SMS scams,
SMS marketing, Direct marketing phone calls, Silent phone calls?
Register with http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
IME they work :)

More correctly "Ilkla moor baht 'at"
and "etten"

http://www.ilkley.org/iguide/baht.htm

Roger (looking at t'moor through't bedroom window)
 
On Tue, 6 Dec 2005 19:01:26 +0000, Dominic Sexton
<{d-sep03}@dscs.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
>out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5
>litres.

That's going to add to the weight of the daysack then.


> Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could
>have an impact on the enjoyment of the place by others.

The funeral directors made a point of telling me to avoid spreading
ashes when other people were visible.

My experience of the malevolent one is that the ashes won't stay
still, I will remain upwind and the visibility will be too low to
worry about.

AJH
 
Dominic Sexton <{d-sep03}@dscs.demon.co.uk> wrote
>
>This is not specifically aimed at you Sandy or anybody else here.
>
>I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
>out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5
>litres. Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could
>have an impact on the enjoyment of the place by others. I therefore
>think it important that the friends / family consider the current and
>future enjoyment of a place that was special to their loved one.
>
>In the case of my late wife, who had not made any requests, the
>majority on her ashes were buried conventionally and I took a small
>amount to be scattered very subtly in a few places that were special to
>her. I very much doubt that anybody not directly involved even noticed
>that there were any ashes left behind.
>
>Personally I am very happy to have the same thing done with my remains
>when I die...
>
My wife's ashes are scattered on the paths around Werneth Low, where we
used to walk quite often, the dog used to love it there, too.
I wrote her name in ashes on the grass at the side of the war memorial,
but it had disappeared within a week or so, unlike the huge cross which
somebody made, and which killed the grass off for months.

I don't remember it being 5 litres though, that's more than a Party Can!

I was up there today, and the light was brilliant for photography,
although some shots were a dismal failure.
There was a sad notice attached to the stile with a photograph of a
Border Collie ***** which had been lost the previous day. I hope she
turns up....
--
Gordon Harris
 
"Dominic Sexton" <{d-sep03}@dscs.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, sandy saunders
> <[email protected]> writes
>>> sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
>>> hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
>>> with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
>>> of Wasd'ale!
>>
>>It is certainly a very tranquil setting. There are also a couple of
>>wooden
>>benches amongst the trees surrounding the burial ground I passed, where
>>close ones can relax in a woodland atmosphere.
>>
>>I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
>>England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also
>>wanted
>>a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!
>>
>
> This is not specifically aimed at you Sandy or anybody else here.
>
> I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
> out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5 litres.
> Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could have an
> impact on the enjoyment of the place by others. I therefore think it
> important that the friends / family consider the current and future
> enjoyment of a place that was special to their loved one.
>

This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
view. On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
a bad name. I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount. What to do
with the empty pot? Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)
 
"Dominic Sexton" <{d-sep03}@dscs.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, sandy saunders
> <[email protected]> writes
>>> sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
>>> hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
>>> with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
>>> of Wasd'ale!
>>
>>It is certainly a very tranquil setting. There are also a couple of
>>wooden
>>benches amongst the trees surrounding the burial ground I passed, where
>>close ones can relax in a woodland atmosphere.
>>
>>I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
>>England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also
>>wanted
>>a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!
>>
>
> This is not specifically aimed at you Sandy or anybody else here.
>
> I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
> out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5 litres.
> Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could have an
> impact on the enjoyment of the place by others. I therefore think it
> important that the friends / family consider the current and future
> enjoyment of a place that was special to their loved one.
>

This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
view. On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
a bad name. I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount. What to do
with the empty pot? Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)
 
"Dominic Sexton" <{d-sep03}@dscs.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:p[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, sandy saunders
> <[email protected]> writes
>>> sounds nicer than the crematorium, I fancy ashes scattered on a
>>> hill, perhaps the older ones here should be making arrangements
>>> with the younger ones. Yewbarrow for me. I could end up as a pint
>>> of Wasd'ale!
>>
>>It is certainly a very tranquil setting. There are also a couple of
>>wooden
>>benches amongst the trees surrounding the burial ground I passed, where
>>close ones can relax in a woodland atmosphere.
>>
>>I said to my wife Clare that I want my ashes placed under a rock on top of
>>England, Scafell Pike. Wasn't too keen on the idea though, as I also
>>wanted
>>a large dram of finest malt whiskey poured over me every New Year's Eve!
>>
>
> This is not specifically aimed at you Sandy or anybody else here.
>
> I expect a lot of people don't realise just how big a box of ashes come
> out of the crematorium - in my experience it was probably about 5 litres.
> Putting that all in one place, even spread about a bit, could have an
> impact on the enjoyment of the place by others. I therefore think it
> important that the friends / family consider the current and future
> enjoyment of a place that was special to their loved one.
>

This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
view. On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
a bad name. I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount. What to do
with the empty pot? Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)
 
In article <[email protected]>, Bob Mannix
<[email protected]> writes
>
>This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
>their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
>towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
>comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
>(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
>view.

That's excellent.

>On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
>noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
>some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
>a bad name.

I do understand that it is an emotional time for people but like you say
it is inconsiderate.

> I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount.

You and Gordon are most probably right. My guesstimate was based on the
fact that I asked for about 1/3 to be kept out of the casket and guessed
what I received was about 1 1/2 litres. I suppose I got more like 1/2
than a 1/3.

> What to do
>with the empty pot?

Now there is a quandary many folk have been in!

> Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
>commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.

I still have mine from 3 1/2 years ago and think your idea is excellent.
The next time I'm at one of the special places I will be doing something
very similar, thank you.

--

Dominic Sexton
 
In article <[email protected]>, Bob Mannix
<[email protected]> writes
>
>This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
>their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
>towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
>comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
>(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
>view.

That's excellent.

>On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
>noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
>some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
>a bad name.

I do understand that it is an emotional time for people but like you say
it is inconsiderate.

> I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount.

You and Gordon are most probably right. My guesstimate was based on the
fact that I asked for about 1/3 to be kept out of the casket and guessed
what I received was about 1 1/2 litres. I suppose I got more like 1/2
than a 1/3.

> What to do
>with the empty pot?

Now there is a quandary many folk have been in!

> Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
>commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.

I still have mine from 3 1/2 years ago and think your idea is excellent.
The next time I'm at one of the special places I will be doing something
very similar, thank you.

--

Dominic Sexton
 
In article <[email protected]>, Bob Mannix
<[email protected]> writes
>
>This is true but one can do the deed sensitively. Both my parents wanted
>their ashes scattered on Cat Bells. My brother and I dropped off the top
>towards the lake and then continued north until the slope got too steep for
>comfortable picnicking etc and scattered the ashes in the (longish) grass
>(so they disappeared) in an area where people didn't go anyway, with a nice
>view.

That's excellent.

>On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
>noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
>some ashes right on the top, on the path - which is a bit off and gives all
>a bad name.

I do understand that it is an emotional time for people but like you say
it is inconsiderate.

> I would have said 2-3 litres was more the amount.

You and Gordon are most probably right. My guesstimate was based on the
fact that I asked for about 1/3 to be kept out of the casket and guessed
what I received was about 1 1/2 litres. I suppose I got more like 1/2
than a 1/3.

> What to do
>with the empty pot?

Now there is a quandary many folk have been in!

> Washed it out in Derwentwater and then dumped it in a
>commercial wheelie-bin in Keswick.

I still have mine from 3 1/2 years ago and think your idea is excellent.
The next time I'm at one of the special places I will be doing something
very similar, thank you.

--

Dominic Sexton
 
On Wed, 7 Dec 2005 09:54:21 -0000, "Bob Mannix" <[email protected]>
wrote:


Whilst not wanting to add to anyone's grief at a time such as this,
there's light relief to be had too:

>ashes scattered on Cat Bells.

>On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
>noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just dumped
>some ashes right on the top, on the path

What a good idea, would help reduce erosion _and_ add to surety of
footedness on an icy winter's day! Wha? They don't scatter ashes on
icy footpaths round your way?


My remains? I'd look forward to the barest minimum of palaver, I'd be
happy with my carcass thrown onto my roof (while its still "mine" ;-)
(the roof that is) for the birsds to pick clean. Certainly don't want
any fuss but I recognise that funerals are for the bereaved so a tree
on me 'ead would suit both I think; hazel preferrably but ground
conditions prolly not ideal so a birch, ash or oak would be great!

Would I (sic.) need a licence to have bluebells (a protected species)
planted on me feet?
 
sandy saunders wrote:

> While on my walk last Sunday from East Meon, Hampshire, I left the South
> Downs Way at Mercury Park and followed a footpath south on the western side
> of Combe Wood ....... or so I thought! I inadvertently took a left fork
> instead of right, and not long into the wood I reached a small area cleared
> of trees with what looked like graves. No headstones but randomly placed
> mounds of earth, some were obviously recent as fresh flowers had been placed
> on the mounds. My first thought was that it was an animal burial site, but
> on turning back to join the correct path, I noticed a sign for the South
> Downs Natural Burial Site. I was intrigued, so I did a search last night on
> Google, and there are some 200 of these burial sites around the UK. Those
> who wish can be buried there in a wicker cask/biodegradable 'box', back to
> nature so to speak, and have a tree planted at the spot.
>
> One of the strangest things I have come across on my many walks ...... could
> be a bit spooky though in the fading light!
>
>

I have always said that I would like to be buried in a plain pine box
and left to slowly decompose back into the earth. Perhaps that is
because I am a gardener and love to build the soil. There is a company
in the US that is establishing such cemetaries.

Katherine
 
Following up to Dominic Sexton

>In the case of my late wife, who had not made any requests, the majority
>on her ashes were buried conventionally and I took a small amount to be
>scattered very subtly in a few places that were special to her.

good advice.
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
 
Katherine wrote:

> I have always said that I would like to be buried in a plain pine box
> and left to slowly decompose back into the earth.

How about hardboard, or even cardboard, rather than pine? Since those
can use timber by-products rather than directly using planking it should
be a little "greener", and your body will probably get to meet the worms
a bit quicker for useful effect too.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
<SteveO> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 7 Dec 2005 09:54:21 -0000, "Bob Mannix" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
> Whilst not wanting to add to anyone's grief at a time such as this,
> there's light relief to be had too:
>
>>ashes scattered on Cat Bells.
>
>>On the second trip we were walking over the bare windswept top and
>>noticed it was crunchy underfoot. Some inconsiderate p*ll*ck had just
>>dumped
>>some ashes right on the top, on the path
>
> What a good idea, would help reduce erosion _and_ add to surety of
> footedness on an icy winter's day! Wha? They don't scatter ashes on
> icy footpaths round your way?
>
>
> My remains? I'd look forward to the barest minimum of palaver, I'd be
> happy with my carcass thrown onto my roof (while its still "mine" ;-)
> (the roof that is) for the birsds to pick clean. Certainly don't want
> any fuss but I recognise that funerals are for the bereaved so a tree
> on me 'ead would suit both I think; hazel preferrably but ground
> conditions prolly not ideal so a birch, ash or oak would be great!
>
> Would I (sic.) need a licence to have bluebells (a protected species)
> planted on me feet?
>
>
 
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