Green Burial: What It Is and How It Works

As environmental consciousness grows, more people are asking about green burial—what it is and how it works as an alternative to traditional funeral practices. Also called natural burial or eco-friendly burial, this approach returns bodies to the earth in ways that minimize environmental impact while often reducing costs and providing meaningful, nature-centered memorial experiences.

Green burial represents both a return to ancient burial practices and a modern environmental movement. By eliminating toxic chemicals, non-biodegradable materials, and resource-intensive processes, natural burial offers an option for those whose environmental values extend to their final arrangements. Understanding what green burial involves, how it differs from conventional burial, and what options exist helps you decide if this approach aligns with your values.

The Short Answer: Green burial, what it is and how it works: Natural burial uses biodegradable materials (shrouds or simple wooden caskets), avoids embalming, prohibits concrete vaults, and often takes place in protected natural areas. Bodies decompose naturally, returning nutrients to the earth while the burial site may serve as nature preserve or conservation land.

Core Principles of Green Burial

Green burial follows several key principles that distinguish it from conventional burial:

No Toxic Chemicals

Embalming Prohibited: Traditional embalming uses formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals that leach into soil and groundwater. Green burial prohibits embalming entirely.

Natural Preservation: Bodies are kept refrigerated until burial, which typically occurs within 3-5 days of death. Do you have to be embalmed explains that embalming is rarely legally required, making natural burial feasible.

Chemical-Free Materials: Everything placed in the ground must be free from:

• Toxic paints or stains
• Metal hardware treated with chemical coatings
• Synthetic fabrics
• Plastic components
• Chemical preservatives

Biodegradable Materials Only

Acceptable Burial Containers:

• Cotton, linen, or wool shrouds
• Wicker or willow caskets
• Pine, bamboo, or other wood caskets (without metal fasteners)
• Cardboard caskets
• Seagrass or banana leaf containers

What’s Prohibited:

• Metal caskets (steel, copper, bronze)
• Hardwood caskets with metal hardware
• Fiberglass caskets
• Caskets with non-biodegradable linings
• Any synthetic or treated materials

Can you be buried without a casket explores shroud burial, which represents the simplest green burial option.

No Burial Vaults

Conventional Practice: Most traditional cemeteries require concrete or metal burial vaults—containers that enclose the casket underground.

Green Burial Approach: Natural burial grounds prohibit vaults entirely. Bodies are placed directly in earth, allowing:

• Natural decomposition
• Nutrient return to soil
• No permanent concrete barriers

Ground Settling: Without vaults, burial sites settle naturally as decomposition occurs. This is accepted and expected in green burial grounds. How long to wait before placing a headstone on a grave still applies, as ground settling affects marker placement.

Conservation and Land Protection

Natural Burial Grounds: Many green burial sites function as nature preserves:

• Native plant restoration
• Wildlife habitat protection
• Conservation easements preventing development
• Sustainable land management

Burial Fees Support Conservation: Purchase of natural burial plots often funds:

• Land acquisition for conservation
• Habitat restoration projects
• Ongoing ecological management
• Protection of natural areas in perpetuity

Minimal Memorialization

Natural Markers: Green burial grounds typically restrict memorials to:

• Natural fieldstones (no polishing or shaping)
• Flat engraved stones flush with ground
• Native plantings (trees, shrubs)
• GPS coordinates (some sites use only digital mapping)

What’s Prohibited:

• Large upright monuments
• Elaborate carved headstones
• Artificial flowers or decorations
• Permanent structures

This maintains the natural appearance of the landscape. Which type of headstone lasts the longest matters less in green burial where simple markers are preferred.

Types of Green Burial Grounds

Natural burial sites exist in several forms:

Natural Burial Preserves

Pure Conservation Approach: These dedicated natural burial grounds exist specifically for green burial:

Characteristics:

• Established primarily for natural burial
• Strict environmental standards
• All burials follow green burial principles
• Natural landscaping with native plants
• No traditional cemetery infrastructure (paved roads, irrigation)

Examples:

• Ramsey Creek Preserve (South Carolina) – first US green cemetery
• Prairie Rest Cemetery (Minnesota)
• Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve (New York)

Cost: $2,000-$5,000 for plot, often including opening/closing fees

Benefits:

• Purest form of natural burial
• Beautiful natural settings
• Support conservation directly
• Community of like-minded individuals

Hybrid Cemeteries

Green Sections in Conventional Cemeteries: Some traditional cemeteries dedicate sections for natural burial:

Characteristics:

• Green burial section within larger conventional cemetery
• Natural burial rules in designated area
• Adjacent to traditional burial sections
• Maintains some cemetery infrastructure

Examples: Many established cemeteries now offer hybrid sections

Cost: $1,500-$4,000 typically

Benefits:

• More geographic availability
• Familiar cemetery setting
• May allow family burials (some family members traditional, others natural)
• Often easier to access than remote preserves

Considerations:

• Less purely “natural” experience
• May have mowing, maintenance near natural section
• Varying commitment to conservation principles

Conservation Burial Grounds

Highest Environmental Standards: Conservation burial grounds meet stringent certification by Green Burial Council:

Requirements:

• Permanent conservation easements protecting land
• Active habitat restoration
• Native species management
• Strict prohibition of all non-natural elements
• Third-party monitoring and enforcement

Characteristics:

• Often large natural areas (50+ acres)
• Function primarily as nature preserves
• Burial secondary to conservation mission
• Very limited development or infrastructure

Cost: $3,000-$7,000 typically

Benefits:

• Strongest conservation impact
• Most pristine natural settings
• Certified environmental standards
• Permanent legal protections

Considerations:

• Limited availability (fewer sites)
• May be remote from urban areas
• Higher costs due to conservation requirements

Home Burial

Private Property Green Burial: Where legal, home burial represents ultimate natural burial:

Requirements:

• Legal in your jurisdiction (can you be buried on your own property provides state-by-state details)
• Adequate property size
• Proper setbacks from water, buildings, property lines
• Required permits obtained

Green Approach: Home burial easily accommodates green burial principles:

• No chemicals
• Biodegradable materials only
• Natural setting on family land
• Minimal environmental impact

Cost: $500-$2,000 (minimal professional services, family involvement)

Benefits:

• Lowest cost option
• Keep loved ones close
• Maximum control over process
• Most environmentally minimal

Considerations:

• Affects property value and use
• Family must handle logistics
• Permanent property implications
• Not legal everywhere

The Green Burial Process

Understanding what actually happens during natural burial:

Body Preparation

No Embalming: Bodies are not embalmed. Instead:

• Refrigeration preserves body for several days
• Dry ice may be used for home vigils
• Prompt burial (3-5 days typically) eliminates preservation need

Simple Preparation:

• Body is washed and dressed
• Natural fiber clothing only (cotton, linen, wool)
• No makeup or minimal natural cosmetics
• Hair arranged naturally

Family Involvement: Many families participate in preparation:

• Washing and dressing the body
• Selecting burial clothing
• Arranging flowers from garden
• Personal, meaningful process

Choosing Burial Container

Shroud Burial: The simplest option:

• Body wrapped in cloth (cotton, linen, wool)
• Shroud designed with handles for carrying
• Sometimes includes rigid board for support
• Completely biodegradable
• Cost: $100-$600

Biodegradable Caskets: For those wanting more structure:

• Wicker or willow: $500-$1,500
• Simple pine box: $400-$1,000
• Cardboard: $50-$300
• Bamboo: $800-$2,000
• Seagrass: $400-$1,000

All use only wood dowels or natural fiber rope—no metal fasteners.

The Burial Service

Graveside Ceremony: Services occur at the burial site:

• Natural setting (under trees, meadows)
• Family and friends gather around grave
• Readings, prayers, eulogies as desired
• Music if wanted

Family Participation: Green burials often involve families:

• Carrying the body to grave
• Lowering body or casket into grave
• Each person placing handful of earth
• Planting flowers or small plants
• Deeply personal, therapeutic experience

Grave Depth: How deep are graves in green burial is typically 3.5-5 feet:

• Deep enough to prevent disturbance
• Shallow enough to support aerobic decomposition
• Facilitates nutrient cycling

Grave Closure:

• Family may help fill grave
• Natural cemetery staff complete process
• Ground left natural (no grass seed)
• Native plants may colonize naturally

Memorial Markers

Minimal Marking: Options vary by cemetery:

Natural Stone:

• Uncut fieldstone placed at head of grave
• Small engraving allowed by some sites
• Cost: $50-$300

Flat Engraved Marker:

• Small stone flush with ground
• Minimal text (name, dates)
• Natural-looking stone types
• Cost: $300-$1,000

Living Memorial:

• Native tree or shrub planted
• Serves as living marker
• Benefits local ecosystem
• Cost: $100-$500

GPS Coordinates Only:

• Some sites use only digital mapping
• No physical marker
• Preserves entirely natural appearance
• Cost: $0

No Marker:

• Some families choose no marker
• Grave location recorded but unmarked
• Most natural approach
• Cost: $0

Environmental Benefits

Green burial provides significant ecological advantages:

Chemical Reduction

Formaldehyde Elimination: Traditional burial uses ~800,000 gallons of formaldehyde annually in the US. Green burial eliminates this entirely:

• No groundwater contamination
• No soil toxicity
• No carcinogenic chemical use
• Healthier for funeral workers

No Synthetic Materials: Avoiding plastics, synthetic fabrics, and treated materials prevents:

• Microplastic pollution
• Chemical leaching
• Slow-degrading waste
• Resource extraction for synthetic production

Resource Conservation

Metal Reduction: Traditional burial consumes annually:

• 90,000+ tons of steel (caskets)
• 2,700 tons of copper/bronze (caskets)
• Metal mining and production avoided

Concrete Elimination: Traditional burial uses ~1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete annually (vaults). Green burial eliminates this:

• Massive cement production avoided
• Transportation costs reduced
• Permanent landscape alteration prevented

Wood Conservation: While green burial uses wood, it favors:

• Fast-growing sustainable species (pine, bamboo)
• Minimal processing
• Local sourcing when possible
• Much less wood than hardwood caskets

Traditional burial uses ~30 million board feet of hardwood annually (often old-growth).

Land Use Benefits

Habitat Protection: Natural burial grounds serve as:

• Wildlife habitat
• Native plant preserves
• Carbon sequestration areas
• Green space in perpetuity

No Lawn Chemical Use: Traditional cemeteries require:

• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Fertilizers
• Irrigation systems

Green burial grounds avoid all synthetic inputs.

Restoration Ecology: Many sites actively restore degraded land:

• Remove invasive species
• Replant native species
• Improve soil health
• Enhance biodiversity

Carbon Considerations

Carbon Sequestration: Natural burial grounds with tree planting offset carbon:

• Trees absorb CO2
• Soil stores carbon
• No concrete production emissions

Reduced Funeral Carbon Footprint: Simpler services mean:

• Less transportation (direct to burial site)
• No cremation energy use (if choosing burial over cremation)
• Fewer manufactured goods

Note: Cremation vs burial cost comparison includes environmental considerations—cremation uses significant energy, while green burial has minimal carbon footprint.

Cost of Green Burial

Natural burial typically costs less than conventional burial:

Natural Burial Ground Costs

Plot Purchase:

• Natural burial preserve: $2,000-$5,000
• Hybrid cemetery section: $1,500-$4,000
• Conservation burial ground: $3,000-$7,000

Opening and Closing: Often included in plot price, or:

• Separate charge: $500-$1,500 (less than conventional)

Container:

• Shroud: $100-$600
• Biodegradable casket: $400-$2,000

Marker:

• Natural stone: $50-$300
• Flat engraved marker: $300-$1,000
• Tree planting: $100-$500
• No marker: $0

Funeral Director Services (if used):

• Basic services: $500-$1,500
• Transportation: $200-$400

Total Natural Burial Cost: $3,000-$10,000

Compare to conventional burial: $7,000-$15,000+

Savings Breakdown:

Eliminated Costs:

• Embalming: Save $500-$1,000
• Expensive casket: Save $1,500-$9,000
• Burial vault: Save $1,000-$3,000
• Elaborate monument: Save $1,000-$7,000

Total Potential Savings: $4,000-$20,000

What is the cheapest way to be buried often involves green burial principles, as natural burial is both environmentally sound and budget-friendly.

Religious and Cultural Perspectives

Green burial aligns with many religious traditions:

Jewish Burial

Traditional Alignment: Orthodox Jewish burial practices closely mirror green burial:

• Simple pine casket or shroud
• No embalming
• Prompt burial
• Return to earth emphasized
• Natural decomposition welcomed

Many Jewish cemeteries accommodate or encourage green burial.

Islamic Burial

Perfect Alignment: Islamic burial requirements ARE green burial:

• Shroud wrapping required
• No embalming permitted
• Prompt burial (within 24 hours when possible)
• Body directly in earth
• Simple grave markers

Natural burial grounds welcome Muslim burial practices.

Buddhist Traditions

Variable Practices: While many Buddhists practice cremation, some traditions prefer burial:

• Simple, natural materials
• Minimal environmental impact
• Emphasis on impermanence
• Return to natural cycles

Green burial aligns with Buddhist environmental values.

Christian Perspectives

“Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust”: Biblical teachings about returning to earth resonate with green burial:

• Natural decomposition consistent with scripture
• Stewardship of creation supported
• Simplicity valued in some denominations

Growing Christian environmental movements embrace green burial. Rules for visiting cemeteries at natural burial grounds often feel more spiritual and less institutional.

Hindu Traditions

Typically Cremation: Most Hindus practice cremation, though some groups historically buried:

• Simple, natural practices
• Return to earth elements
• Minimal material goods

Pagan and Earth-Based Spiritualities

Natural Alignment: Pagan, Wiccan, and nature-based spiritual traditions strongly favor green burial:

• Direct earth connection
• Natural cycles honored
• Environmental values centered
• Meaningful to practitioners

Finding Green Burial Options

Green Burial Council

Certification Organization: The Green Burial Council certifies burial grounds meeting environmental standards:

Certification Levels:

• Hybrid (green section in conventional cemetery)
• Natural (dedicated natural burial ground)
• Conservation (highest standards, conservation easements)

Online Directory: Search greenburialcouncil.org for certified sites by location.

Funeral Homes Supporting Green Burial

Finding Supportive Providers: Not all funeral directors understand green burial. Look for:

• Funeral Consumers Alliance members
• Funeral homes listing green burial services
• Death care professionals trained in natural burial
• Home funeral guides and death midwives

Questions to Ask:

• Experience with natural burial?
• Refrigeration available?
• Work with green burial grounds?
• Offer biodegradable containers?
• Support family participation?

Regional Availability

Most Available:

• West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington)
• Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire)
• Parts of South (North Carolina, Texas)

Growing Availability: Midwest and other regions adding options rapidly.

Limited Options: Some rural areas have few certified natural burial grounds, though:

• Some conventional cemeteries may accommodate
• Home burial possible where legal
• Traveling to green burial ground feasible

Challenges and Considerations

Geographic Limitations

Distance to Natural Burial Ground: Natural burial sites may be 50-100+ miles away:

• Travel required for services
• Visiting graves less convenient
• Not every community has local option

Solution: Some families combine green burial with local memorial service.

Family Understanding

Traditional Expectations: Family members may expect:

• Viewing and visitation
• Elaborate casket
• Traditional cemetery with monuments

Addressing Concerns:

• Education about green burial benefits
• Compromise where possible
• Pre-planning and documenting wishes
• Including family in meaningful way

Cemetery Permanence Questions

Long-Term Landscape Changes: Natural burial grounds evolve:

• Vegetation grows and changes
• Markers may become obscured
• Natural appearance changes seasonally
• Different aesthetic than manicured cemeteries

For Some, This Is Feature Not Bug: Natural changes reflect life cycles and appeal to those valuing nature over permanence.

What happens to graves after 100 years in natural burial grounds involves natural landscape evolution rather than maintained cemetery appearance.

Finding and Visiting Graves

Less Formal Marking:

• Locating specific graves may be harder
• GPS coordinates help
• Some sites provide maps
• Natural markers less obvious

Appeals to Nature Lovers: Those choosing green burial often value this natural integration.

Pre-Planning Green Burial

Document Your Wishes

Make Intentions Clear: Green burial differs enough from convention that explicit documentation helps:

• Include in estate planning
• Discuss with family
• Contact green burial ground
• Pre-purchase plot if possible

Specify Details:

• Natural burial preferred
• No embalming
• Biodegradable container type
• Specific cemetery if known
• Marker preferences

Research Options

Visit Sites: Tour natural burial grounds when possible:

• Understand setting and feel
• Meet staff
• Ask questions
• Ensure comfort with choice

Compare Options: Multiple natural burial grounds may exist in region with different:

• Costs
• Aesthetics
• Regulations
• Conservation approaches

Consider Pre-Purchase

Benefits:

• Lock in current prices
• Ensure plot availability
• Reduce family burden
• Support conservation now

Considerations:

• Upfront cost
• Location flexibility if you move
• Cemetery financial stability

Educate Family

Share Your Reasoning: Help family understand:

• Environmental values driving choice
• Religious/spiritual alignment
• Personal meaning
• Practical benefits

Include Them:

• Visit natural burial grounds together
• Discuss their concerns
• Explain what to expect
• Create shared understanding

Common Questions About Green Burial

Is green burial legal everywhere?

Yes, green burial itself is legal in all states—it’s simply burial without embalming using biodegradable materials. Availability of natural burial grounds varies, but the practice is legal nationwide.

Can you have a viewing with green burial?

Yes, though typically brief and within a few days. Bodies are refrigerated and can be viewed by family privately. Extended public viewing typically isn’t compatible with green burial timing.

How long does a body take to decompose in green burial?

Decomposition timeframe varies by soil conditions, climate, and burial depth. Soft tissue typically decomposes within several years. Bones may persist for decades or centuries. Green burial welcomes this natural process.

Can family members be buried together?

Yes, many natural burial grounds offer family plots. Multiple burials can occur in the same area, though timing differs from conventional double-depth plots.

What if there’s no natural burial ground near me?

Options include: traveling to nearest natural burial ground, advocating for green section in local cemetery, considering home burial if legal, or choosing cremation with natural ash burial.

Is green burial accepted by all religions?

Major religions either accept or prefer natural burial. Some, like Islam and Judaism, have traditions that align perfectly with green burial principles. Check with your specific religious community if concerned.

Can you have a headstone?

Natural burial grounds allow markers consistent with natural landscape—typically flat stones, natural fieldstones, or native plantings. Large upright monuments usually aren’t permitted.

The Future of Green Burial

Rapid Growth

Expanding Options: Green burial availability increasing rapidly:

• New natural burial grounds opening regularly
• Conventional cemeteries adding green sections
• Growing consumer demand driving expansion

Mainstream Acceptance: What seemed alternative 20 years ago becoming mainstream option.

Environmental Awareness

Climate Consciousness: Growing recognition of environmental impacts drives green burial interest:

• Younger generations prioritize sustainability
• Values extend to end-of-life choices
• Carbon footprint considerations

Policy Changes

Supportive Regulations: Some jurisdictions actively supporting green burial:

• Streamlined approval for natural burial grounds
• Conservation incentives
• Recognition of environmental benefits

Making Your Decision

Green burial appeals to those who:

• Value environmental conservation
• Prefer simplicity over elaborate arrangements
• Want meaningful, personal funeral experiences
• Seek to reduce funeral costs
• Have religious traditions aligning with natural burial
• Desire to support land conservation
• Want death care consistent with life values

Understanding what green burial is and how it works helps you determine if natural burial aligns with your values and preferences. For many, green burial provides meaningful, affordable, and environmentally responsible option that honors both loved ones and the earth. How much does it cost to be buried shows conventional burial costs, while green burial often provides savings alongside environmental benefits—a combination that resonates with growing numbers of people seeking authentic, sustainable end-of-life choices.