A Green Burial - The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Farewell Options

More families than ever are choosing to say goodbye in a way that reflects not just who their loved one was, but what they believed in. Green burial — also called natural burial — is a growing movement that returns the body to the earth without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete burial vaults. It is simple, deeply meaningful, and for many families, the most honest expression of a life lived with environmental awareness.

This guide covers everything you need to know about green burial — what it involves, how it differs from conventional burial, the types of natural burial available, and how to begin planning for yourself or a loved one.

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What Is a Green Burial?

A green burial is a method of interment that prioritizes the body's natural decomposition and minimizes environmental impact at every stage. It eliminates the use of embalming fluids — typically formaldehyde-based chemicals that preserve the body artificially — and replaces the conventional metal casket with a biodegradable alternative such as a wicker coffin, a simple wooden box, or a natural fiber shroud. No concrete burial vault is used, allowing the body to make direct contact with the earth.

The result is a burial that works with nature rather than against it. The body decomposes organically, returning its nutrients to the surrounding soil and supporting the ecosystem of the burial ground. In many conservation cemeteries, the fees from green burials fund the ongoing protection of the land itself — meaning the burial site actively contributes to habitat preservation for generations to come.

How Green Burial Differs from Conventional Burial

Element	Conventional Burial	Green Burial
Body preparation	Embalming with formaldehyde	No embalming — refrigeration or dry ice only
Container	Metal or hardwood casket	Biodegradable coffin, wicker basket, or shroud
Burial vault	Concrete vault required by most cemeteries	No vault — direct earth burial
Grave marker	Polished granite or marble headstone	Native plants, fieldstone, or GPS coordinates
Environmental impact	High — chemicals, metals, concrete	Very low — fully biodegradable
Typical cost	$7,000 – $12,000+	$1,000 – $4,000

Types of Green Burial

Natural burial is not one-size-fits-all. Families can choose from several levels of environmental commitment, ranging from a simple natural burial in a hybrid cemetery to full conservation burial in protected wilderness land.

Natural Burial

The most common form of green burial. The body is buried without embalming in a biodegradable container — a simple pine box, a wicker casket, or a cotton or linen shroud. The cemetery may be a dedicated natural burial ground or a hybrid cemetery that offers both conventional and green sections. A fieldstone, wooden marker, or native plantings identify the grave rather than a manufactured headstone.

Conservation Burial

A more intentional form of green burial in which the burial ground is part of a protected natural landscape — a forest, meadow, or prairie. Burial fees fund the legal protection and ongoing stewardship of the land. Conservation burial grounds are typically certified by the Green Burial Council, ensuring rigorous environmental standards are met.

Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction)

An emerging option now legal in a growing number of states. The body is placed in a vessel with organic material — wood chips, straw, alfalfa — and gently transformed into nutrient-rich soil through a controlled process of natural decomposition over approximately 30 days. Families receive the resulting soil and can use it to nurture a memorial garden, plant a tree, or scatter it in a meaningful natural location.

Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)

Also known as water cremation or resomation. The body is dissolved using water, heat, and an alkaline solution, leaving behind bone ash similar to that produced by flame cremation. Aquamation uses significantly less energy than flame cremation and produces no direct carbon emissions, making it one of the most environmentally gentle options available.

Who Is Green Burial For?

Green burial is a meaningful choice for anyone who values environmental stewardship, simplicity, or a sense of return to nature. It is particularly resonant for those who spent their lives hiking, gardening, farming, or advocating for conservation. It is also an excellent option for families on a budget — green burial is significantly less expensive than conventional burial precisely because it eliminates so many of the costly elements of the traditional funeral industry.

Increasingly, green burial is chosen not just for environmental reasons but for deeply personal and spiritual ones. Many people find comfort in the idea of returning to the earth completely — becoming part of the landscape they loved rather than being preserved indefinitely in a sealed container. The green burial movement reframes death not as something to be resisted but as a natural transition, one that can nourish the living world rather than burden it.

How to Plan a Green Burial

Planning a green burial requires a few specific steps that differ from conventional funeral planning. Here is where to begin:

• Find a certified natural burial ground: The Green Burial Council maintains a directory of certified providers and burial grounds across the United States. Not all cemeteries offer green burial — confirm that your chosen location allows direct earth burial without a vault.
• Choose a biodegradable container: Options include wicker, bamboo, pine, cardboard, cotton shrouds, and linen wrapping. Discuss available options with your funeral provider.
• Decline embalming: Embalming is not legally required in most states. If the body needs to be preserved temporarily, refrigeration is the standard green alternative.
• Document your wishes in advance: Put your green burial preferences in writing and share them with your next of kin and your attorney. Without documentation, conventional arrangements may be made by default.
• Consider a home funeral: Many states allow families to care for their own deceased without using a funeral home. A home funeral paired with green burial is the most natural and personally meaningful option available.

Quick Tips: Short Videos on Green Burial

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Green Burial and Memorial Programs

A green burial service can be every bit as personal and meaningful as a conventional funeral. Families often choose outdoor settings — at the burial site itself, or in a garden or natural space — for the memorial gathering. Handmade or sustainably printed funeral programs on recycled paper are a beautiful way to honor the occasion. Our collection of nature-inspired memorial program templates at The Funeral Program Site includes designs suited to outdoor, woodland, and garden memorial services.

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Conclusion

A green burial offers something that conventional funeral arrangements rarely can — a farewell that is fully aligned with how a person lived. It is affordable, ecologically responsible, deeply personal, and increasingly accessible as the natural burial movement grows across the country. Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or exploring options for a loved one, understanding green burial gives you a powerful choice that honors both the individual and the world they leave behind.

For more videos, guides, and resources on green burial and eco-friendly end-of-life planning, explore our full green burial video playlist on YouTube.