Hannah Collins, from the Wildlife Trust, said: “It was a chilly day but the hardy team of Trust staff did a great job getting all the new trees in the ground and we can’t wait to see how the newly expanded site develops over the next few months.

“While it’s not something that often gets talked about, planning a funeral for ourselves or a loved one is a really important moment in our lives. Many of us would like our final resting place to reflect the way we lived our life – so for nature lovers, a site like Muchwood is a more meaningful alternative to traditional burials.

“With our conservation expertise we will make sure this site becomes a haven for wildflowers, birds and butterflies so it continues to be a very special place for people and nature for generations to come.”

The site has already hosted nearly 800 burials, ash internments and scatterings, but it is nearing capacity on its current footprint. The expansion will offer people the option of local green burial for many more years.

Green burials have risen in popularity in the UK. The first opened in Carlisle in the 1990s and there are now around 270 across the UK with surveys showing more people than ever before are considering this option.

Choosing a burial site can be a difficult decision so Muchwood aims to guide potential users through the process and help them make their decision. A visit to the site can be arranged with someone on hand to answer any questions and there’s lots of information and images on the Muchwood website at www.muchwoodburials.co.uk to explore.