The Roundhouse

Our Memorial Roundhouse is available for funeral and memorial services at Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground.

This is an octagonal building in the middle of the burial ground, large enough for around 40 people or so, with the coffin on tressles (see the photograph below). The design has a beautiful acoustic, perfect for important words to be heard, or the gentle sounds of music played at a funeral service.

At other times it is a place to sit in quiet and reflection, to take in the tranquility and beauty of the site. Built of local Cotswold stone, it has green oak beams and oak seats laid upon the low stone walls.

Weather screens, made of green oak and willow, can be raised on for four of the eight sides of the building. These shield gatherings from wind and rain, while allowing sunlight to filter through. They are available for funerals, memorial services and other gatherings at the burial ground.

The roof is a 'green roof', planted with sedums that will blaze as a soft red through the summer's dry, and flush again into green through the winter. Owing to the last few years of wet weather, some of the sedum has died back and mosses and other small plants are emerging in the mix.

Construction finished in June 2007, and roses and ivies have now been planted around the base of the beams. Wildflowers sown around the building are a beautiful display through the summer months. (photographs of its construction)

Slate memorial plaques can be bought to be placed on the inner lintels of the building.

If the Roundhouse is not big enough for a service, and shelter is required, you might consider taking up our the option of hiring a marquee.