A personal view of Acorn Ridge

“My role within Acorn Ridge is quite broad; I handle the administration, produce our website and look after public relations. Friends often ask, “Doesn’t it feel morbid, dealing with all that death?” Not at all. If anything, I feel a distinct sense of relief from people when they have visited the site. Everyone is different, but once people have experienced the lifeforce that is so evident at Acorn Ridge, they perhaps find it a little easier to accept the passing of their loved one. Many people have told me that they find traditional cemeteries quite threatening places – everything is regimental and the protruding gravestones and monuments are the most upsetting thing. Combine this with, sadly, a lack of maintenance and the environment really can be quite grim. So no, it doesn’t feel morbid – I’m very proud to be a part of Acorn Ridge.

The way in which the site is managed promotes a natural eco-system. Obviously the resident deer and rabbits are delighted when certain trees and flowers are planted, stripping them down to nothing overnight. For this reason, we devised a planting list made up of native items that are less palatable to them. Young trees are protected with wraps until they are well established, and we do sometimes allow the occasional, more exotic species providing it will integrate well with the native varieties. Traps are never used within the site and pesticide use is kept to an absolute minimum – Mother Nature does occasionally need a helping hand to avoid things getting out of control! The key is constant care and attention, knowing when to intervene and when to leave well alone.

The balance of wildlife here is very good. Natural predators keep things in order, and we will be installing a Barn Owl nesting box soon. The Hawk Conservancy has advised us that we have an excellent chance of getting both barn owls and kestrels to nest here – the birds already frequent the area, but to have them actually raising their young and being able to observe them at relatively close quarters will be wonderful. There’s also an abundance of insects, butterflies, garden birds, bats and other mammals.

I think that everyone who visits the site is struck by how different the level of ambience is, compared to what has traditionally been seen as the norm. For me, it forms part of a favourite country walk with my dog – there is no sense of oppression or gloom, even on a cloudy day!

We don’t insist people are escorted by us when they first visit the site. It’s a very personal, sometimes emotional choice people are making, and we’re certainly not here to sell our services – the burial ground speaks for itself in that respect, which is precisely the way it should be. Of course, we’re more than happy to show people around and answer any questions they might have. We can be as integral or peripheral as you want us to be.

Increasingly, more and more people are taking control of planning the details of their own funerals. Sometimes it’s forward planning, other times people with terminal illnesses will visit shortly before their deaths, and I cannot describe the feelings of being a positive influence on those people’s last wishes. Their sense of relief at having found Acorn Ridge is profound, and on a personal note it is deeply satisfying to assist both the person and their relatives. Having studied Palliative Care, and being enrolled currently on the Open University course 'Death and Dying', I understand the importance of being able to make an informed choice, which is both respectful and personal to you and your family.

It’s very hard to sum up my feelings about the site concisely. There’s a huge degree of personal investment. I will be buried here, as will other members of my family. I think we have created something very special, and this is validated every time I visit the site. It’s simply beautiful.”