The Butler Memorial Trust
registered charity no. 1076810
Fevin Nature Reserve Burial Ground
A nature reserve and green burial ground run by a small group of volunteer trustees.
The Fevin Nature Reserve and Burial Ground once formed part of a hilltop smallholding managed for around forty years by Arthur and Olive Fevin.
Arthur and Olive had always adopted a ‘green’ approach to life and in 1998 donated around twelve acres of species rich land to the Butler Memorial Trust.
The Nature Reserve
The site, including the burial field, is 'managed' as a nature reserve. Biodiversity is always at the forefront of our thinking. We plan to provide as many different wildlife habitats as we can within our small sphere of influence, aware that every little piece of species rich habitat is precious. people are becoming increasingly aware of how important nature is, not just in terms of 'saving the planet' but also for human health and well being. You will not find closely mown grass and neat paths and hedges at this site. There's no where to shelter from the rain or to buy a cup of coffee. What you will find is the opportunity to sit quietly and listen to the buzz of insects and the call of birds, or look out across Somerton Moor towards distant Glastonbury Tor; bring a picnic, a flask of coffee, even a book and just enjoy.
Ethos
The aim of the trustees is to provide an alternative to conventional burial - one which is in sympathy with the natural environment.
Conventional cemeteries often consist of manicured grass, tarmac paths and carefully tended rows of weed free graves. Our aim is to have as little adverse impact as possible on the native flora and fauna and on the visual character of the site.
The ground is not consecrated and we welcome members of all faiths or none.
Burials
The burial field is part of the nature reserve. The aim is to keep things as natural as possible. Hence we don't allow upright markers or grave stones or the planting of non native plants and flowers. Coffins must be quickly biodegradable with no plastic or metal and the deceased should be dressed in natural fabrics. For more information about the 'rules' for burials and the maintenance of plots please click the link below.
Donate
The Butler Memorial Trust is a registered charity. None of the trustees are paid and income is derived from the sale of plots and from donations. The site is maintained on a minimal budget with much of the income invested to ensure that we will be able to continue to manage the site in an environmentally friendly way once the burial field is full.
All donations are gratefully received.