A south Lakeland church is to start providing natural green' burials for the non-religious, writes Jennie Dennett.

Instead of an inscribed headstone, a freshly-planted tree will mark the burial spot for those who choose to be interred at St Paul's Church, Lindale, near Grange-over-Sands.

National park planners gave their blessing to the scheme on Monday alongside an extension to the consecrated churchyard, a new access road and a village bowling green all within a field neighbouring the picturesque 16th century church.

"A lot of people who don't want a religious service believe in trying to create a natural area rather than spend a lot of money on coffins and headstones," said St Paul's parishioner, magistrate and Kendal town councillor Gwyneth Raymond, who came up with the idea.

People choosing the natural burial will be put in cardboard or wicker coffins to speed their integration into the earth and ultimately their chosen tree. A stake next to the trunk will include a plaque for relatives' tributes.

Mrs Raymond described the process as non polluting rather than cremation which includes the burning of fossil fuels and the release of the body's carbons into the atmosphere contributing, albeit in a small way, to problems like global warming and acid rain.

Her husband Stanley, a member of the parochial church council and a retired civil engineer who put the plans together, said there would be room for 100 to 150 bodies in the field which would steadily become an attractive coppice as the burials took place.

Dr Raymond said Lindale vicar Rev Anthony Clegg had been supportive of the plan and there had not been any outspoken opposition to using church land for a secular graveyard.

"There is a desire for the church to help the community and make some money because there is a big demand for this," he said.

"Not everybody wants to be buried on consecrated ground like atheists. In a secular age there is a demand for a much simpler service."

The church has not yet determined how much a natural' plot will cost but the accumulated price tag of these burials is usually far less than a traditional service with costly coffins and headstones.

News of the successful planning bid was also greeted warmly by the Lindale Bowling Association which clinched permission to build a club house and a 30 square metre crown bowls green on a section of the field on a 90-year lease from St Paul's.

"It will be nice to play on our own ground and play friendly matches with other clubs in the area," said club chairman Ian Sisson.

The association is now starting the battle to raise the £30,000 needed to realise the dream while the church is hoping to get started with natural burials and the extension of its consecrated graveyard as soon as possible. Burial inquiries should be directed to church warden Bill Goslin on 015395-33721.

January 10, 2003 10:00