What is a green burial?

A green (or natural) burial lays the body to rest without embalming chemicals, a metal or hardwood casket, or a concrete vault, using a biodegradable casket or shroud so the body returns to the earth naturally.

Is green burial cheaper than a traditional funeral?

It often is, because it removes some of the costliest items — embalming, an ornate casket, and a burial vault. But prices vary by location and by the type of burial ground, so compare itemized quotes.

Is green burial legal?

Yes, green burial is legal across the US, though individual cemeteries set their own rules. Embalming is almost never required by law, and many areas have natural or hybrid burial grounds.

Guides

Green burial: a complete guide

Green burial is a return to a simpler, more natural way of laying someone to rest — without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults, so the body can return to the earth. It appeals to families who want a gentler environmental footprint and a more natural goodbye.

What makes a burial 'green'

A green, or natural, burial avoids the elements of a conventional burial that don't break down or that introduce chemicals into the ground. The aim is for the body to decompose naturally and become part of the landscape.

✓No embalming, or only non-toxic, biodegradable embalming
✓A biodegradable casket or a simple shroud instead of metal or hardwood
✓No concrete or metal burial vault
✓Burial at a natural depth that supports decomposition
✓Often a natural marker — a native plant, a rock, or GPS coordinates rather than a headstone

Where green burial happens

The setting ranges from a section of a conventional cemetery to dedicated conservation land.

Natural burial grounds

Dedicated green cemeteries designed for natural burial, with meadows or woodland instead of manicured lawns and rows of headstones.

Hybrid cemeteries

Conventional cemeteries that set aside a green section, allowing natural burial without a vault while keeping traditional areas nearby.

Conservation burial grounds

Burial on protected land, where the fees help fund permanent conservation of the site. These are less common but grow steadily.

What green burial costs

Green burial can cost less than a conventional burial because it removes some of the most expensive items — embalming, an ornate casket, and a vault. That said, prices vary widely by location and by the type of ground, and a plot in a conservation burial ground can carry a premium. Always ask for an itemized price list.

Green burial vs cremation

Both are gentler on the environment than a conventional burial, and families often weigh the two. Cremation uses energy but no land; green burial uses land but no combustion and no embalming chemicals. Water cremation is a third, water-based alternative where it's available. There's no single 'greenest' answer — it depends on what matters most to you.

FAQ