A Donegal based
herbalist who buried her late husband under an apple tree
in her garden is urging the local authority to allow
families dig graves on their own land.
Judith Hoad, who officially opened the Inishowen
Summer Gathering at Inch Island on Saturday, made
her comments after a couple living in the county
were refused planning permission for a private
burial plot.
Ulla and Wolfram Stumpf - Germans who have been
living in the county for 25 years - were turned down
for a plot in their garden, after a neighbour
objected to their plan over fears the water supply
could become contaminated.
While the Council and An Bord Pleanala agreed, in
principle, to the application, they rejected the
Stumpfs' application on the grounds of inadequate
drainage on their land.
Of her late husband's choice of burial place, Ms.
Hoad said: "Jerry was spiritual but not religious
and wanted a natural burial. A growing number of
people have the same dilemma so allowing burials on
private land is one way to meet demand."
Ms. Hoad, who lives in Inver, runs Bury Me Green, a
company selling biodegradable coffins made from
wicker, wood and cardboard.
She got the idea to start the company after a friend
was refused permission to bury her husband in the
garden and was forced to cremate him instead.
Ms. Hoad, who gave a talk to the Inishowen Summer
Gathering on the nutrition provided by wild herbs,
has lived in a sustainable way for more than 40
years with no electricity or plumbing.
She told the 'Sunday Times' she had sold seven
eco-friendly coffins ranging in price from €1,400 to
€1,800 each in the past year. |
