Be at peace

My wife and I often discussed the merits of cremation or burial and eventually decided on burial-but the idea of churchyards with their rows of tombstones did not appeal, and most of the ones we had seen were derelict and overgrown.

We both decided we would like a woodland burial, where from the afterlife, we could commune with nature. Over the next few months we visited a number of sites, but Clayton Natural Burial Ground appealed most of all.

To be honest there was so many lovely alternatives that we could not make up our minds which plot to choose. The Poppy Meadow, Oak Lea-The beautiful The Avenue,and The Glade, and were much drawn to Pond View.

Regretfully before we could make our minds up tragedy struck and in 2013 after 61 years  of a marriage made in Heaven I lost my darling Audrey. Sadly I wandered around Clayton, and knowing my sweethearts wishes decided upon The Buttercup Meadow, for my Audrey loved buttercups, and as far as the eye could see the meadow was a blaze of yellow most of the year.

I was able to secure a plot overlooking the meadow close to Pond View, where the rare Triton newt has been recently discovered; and it is here that my  sweetheart lays now.  A magnificent oak overlooks her plot, and nearby is a lovely silver birch. She is the Countess Audrey de Straet von Kollman.

One day this wonderful location will be part of a forest, already the local wildlife has colonised it, rabbits abound, plus ravens, crows and a wonderful assortment of small birds

Snuggled up together we will both be at peace.

Count Ralph de Straet von Kollman KCD KT