ECO-FRIENDLY residents could soon be able to bury their relatives in cardboard coffins and swap headstones for trees at alternative

ECO-FRIENDLY residents could soon be able to bury their relatives in cardboard coffins and swap headstones for trees at alternative burial sites.North Somerset Council is keen to start creating green burial sites where environmentally conscious relatives can bury their dead in biodegradable coffins and large headstones are replaced by trees, plants and flowers.The authority says it recognises people in the district want the green sites but has so far not found any land to create them on. There have been calls for the council to start asking farmers and landowners for land, which the authority is considering.Environmentalists say problems associated with traditional graveyards, such as headstones falling into disrepair, are avoided with the green sites.They often develop into lush green meadows teeming with wildlife and blend in with the surrounding countryside. In other areas, they have been turned into nature reserves or picnic sites.At a recent meeting of the council, Councillor Michael Johnston said: "The issue of finding somewhere for green burials is very important."I appreciate the matter is being looked into but I think we need to seriously consider whether farmers and landowners should be approached as a way of costing the land."The issue falls into the remit of Councillor Deborah Yamanaka, who is responsible for environmental matters.She said: "We are taking the issue seriously and I would like to see such a facility and I hope we will soon get there. Unfortunately we cannot just put it in any old field and it will take a lot of planning.