Mourners dressed in black walked in silent procession, marking the collapse of the natural world
On Sunday 27th July, local residents and climate activists gathered in Bournemouth Gardens for A Funeral for Nature — a powerful and moving event organised by Extinction Rebellion Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (XR BCP) to mark the ongoing destruction of the UK’s natural world.
From 2:00pm, participants assembled by the Cenotaph, many dressed in mourning black. At 2:30pm, a slow and silent procession made its way through the gardens, at its head a coffin carried by pallbearers and led by the sombre rhythm of XR BCP’s drummers. The procession finished at Bournemouth Pier, where the celebrants came together in poetry and song. The event concluded with a symbolic die-in, representing the growing mass extinction silently unfolding around us.
The UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, having lost nearly 50% of its biodiversity since the Industrial Revolution — more than any other G7 nation. Today’s procession sought to raise awareness of this deepening crisis and inspire urgent action.
“We walked today not only in grief, but in resistance,” said Kath Chambers, retired and from Bournemouth. “We’re facing a quiet catastrophe, and it’s time to break the silence
Participants were motivated by shocking statistics:
● 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK have been destroyed since the 1930s
● Insect populations have dropped by over 60% in some areas in the past 20 years
● One in six species in Great Britain are now at risk of extinction
● Over 40% of UK bird species are in decline, including swifts and house martins
● Rivers across England are among the most polluted in Europe
“Nobody held a funeral for the mature oak tree that used to grow in my road before it was cruelly destroyed in the name of progress,” said Liz Brereton, a counsellor also from Bournemouth “So today in my heart, I held one for them all.”
The procession created a striking and emotional atmosphere, prompting passersby to stop, reflect, and join in.
“This wasn’t just about loss. It was about love — and what we’re willing to do to protect what we still have,” added Liz Elwick, a retired council worker from Bournemouth.
“This is what grief looks like when we don’t look away,” concluded Daniel Glennon, a customer service professional, also from Bournemouth. “It means we care. And caring is how change begins.”
Organisers stressed that while the tone of the event was mournful, the message was ultimately one of hope — and a call to action. Attendees were encouraged to contact their MPs, urge BCP Council to declare a nature emergency, make space for wildlife in their homes and gardens, and join local campaigning groups like XR BCP.
