Monument Trees for Ash Burial or Scattering

Ash Burial or Ash Scattering, family monument Trees at Dunsany Castle Nature Reserve. The most memorable and soulful experience. Protected forever – 840 years of history, a protected woodland in the private Family Estate, of Dunsany Castle and Nature Reserve, under the care of Lord Dunsany, 21st Baron of Dunsany.

Each Monument Tree is well established from between 100 -200 years old. Your chosen family Monument Tree will act as the final resting place for Cremated remains.

We can either bury the Urn with the ashes or mix the ashes with soil from below the tree and your family then return the ashes & soil to further nourish your Monument tree, absorbed to become part of the Tree in a bio-diverse habitat, sustaining life into the future. Each Tree is marked with a personalized Granite plaque, at ground level.

A Living legacy

At the end of your life, your wishes after Cremation may be to have your family keep your Ashes in one of our beautiful Urns, or to have your ashes deposited in a Columbarium wall niche, another alternative is to return to the earth and live on in nature as part of a Monument Tree in a private and ancient Dunsany Castle Estate Forest in the 'Royal County' Meath, Ireland.

Contact us to find out more - Email bob@irishurns.ie or call 00353862558531

We have set out below all the details but if you prefer and are able for a call that would be good to talk through how everything works.

We have outlined what would be involved in scattering or burying a loved one's ashes at Dunsany Estate and the various options.

Option 1. Simple scattering around the ancient woods. €900 + Vat 13.5%

Arrive at Dunsany Castle. Ample Parking.

Should you decide on scattering rather than burial of ashes, you arrive 30 minutes earlier and together we can prepare the ashes and mix them with some soil from the woods and wildflower seeds in a wooden scattering container.

We can do this for you if you prefer.

Your family arrives, and we greet them and talk to those assembled about a little history on the Castle and the estate and the significant rewilding project and the order of things.

We will walk the group and the remains across the Estate into the Largest ancient woodland, the pond wood.

We will gather in an area called the Cathedral where mature trees touch high in the canopy.

You and your family will be invited to say a few words, hold hands, and together scatter the ashes around the area.

You will spend some time there.

We will present you with a personalised Certificate.

We walk back to the Castle and say our goodbyes.

Option 2. Dedicated Family Monument Tree (Ashes are buried beneath the tree)- c 40 - 70 feet tall / c 100 -250 years old €4,500 = VAT 13.5%

This experience is similar to the above; however, I will highlight the additional elements in italics for clarity.

We will meet you Helen, ahead of the day to select the 'Right' tree and geo tag it's location.)

The Day 

Arrive at Dunsany Castle. Ample Parking.

The family will be greeted outside the Castle.

We talk to those assembled about a little history of the Castle and the Estate and the significant rewilding project and the order of things.

We will walk the group and remains across the Estate, and into the Largest ancient woodland, the Pond Wood.

We will gather in or near an area called 'The Cathedral' where mature trees touch high in the canopy.

We will guide your family to the preselected Monument Tree.

The Tree becomes your 'Family Tree' where others' ashes can be scattered in the future*, (*no additional costs other than the € 800+VAT 13.5% as per option 1. plus a new granite marker c €450)

Access to the private woodland will be provided to the family for occasional visits, Birthday or Anniversary. We can help guide on those days.

100 Saplings will also be planted in your loved one's name at Dunsany by our sister company Irish Trees at Dunsany, bringing new life to the woods and for biodiversity to thrive.

If you would like, we can provide a celebrant or you and your family will be invited to say a few words, hold hands surrounding the Tree and together bury the ashes, the spot will be prepared and the family will be invited to scatter wildflower seeds and / or plant some bulbs around the area.

We will have the ground below the Monument cleared of any leaves or branches and have prepared the soil for sowing by the family. 

With your permission, we will take some photographs for you and the family on the day and provide these in a digital album in the days following the celebration.

You will spend some time there, until ready to leave. On the way back through the woods, we will have marquees set up with tables and chairs, tea and coffee. Pressecco, Bucksfizz, water, Non alcoholic beers etc (included in price). You can bring a picnic or we can arrange that on your behalf (€22 per person for a comprehensive Gourmet Food Parlour picnic)

Your friends and family will gather around the table and share memories and laughs as a celebration of a life well-lived.

We will present you with a framed and personalised Certificate including the Geotagged location of the Monument Tree.

We will print additional copies for family if required.

Below the Tree will be an engraved granite marker at ground level, recording the name, the years and a brief sentiment. (Included)

You will need to provide the inscription a few weeks before, if you would like it laid on the day, or we can arrange that afterwards. 

We return to the Castle and say our goodbyes.

Option 3 - Legacy Tree  - All of Option 2 but an ancient Oak Tree on the grounds in front of the Castle - €8,500.

Option 4 - All of option 2 plus, but we plant a semi-mature tree on the day with the ashes, plus we plant 100 native Irish trees in your loved one's name - €2,850 plus vat

We hope this gives you enough information to help you make an informed decision, but of course, it would be lovely if we had a call to discuss any other ideas for the day, eg Wolfhounds, Music, Priest or celebrant etc.

Let us know what you and the family think. email Bob@irishurns.ie 00353 86 2558531 NB - Please contact us to arrange, as an option to arrange online is not available due to the personalised nature of the service. Other options are available and we will try to do everything we can to make the day very special. Access is through the woods so not accessible for individuals with mobility concerns.