CREATING New England's first natural burial ground is a step closer after a survey attracted unanimous support for the idea.

Nearly 100 respondents have already responded to the survey, which runs throughout November.

The online audit was begun by a community group based in Uralla.

Members also ran a stall at Black Gully Music Festival, held in Armidale on Saturday, November 10.

"Quite a few people showed an interest in a natural burial ground in the area," one of the organisers, Carol Shantal, said.

"People said they wanted to give back to the earth what we have all received, life."

Natural burial allows for human bodies to be buried in the earth in a way that allows for natural decomposition.

Bodies must be shrouded in natural protein-based or plant-based materials, not have more

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