Green burial guide: natural burial options, costs, and how to arrange one

Green burial — also called natural burial — returns the body to the earth without embalming chemicals, metal or concrete vaults, or non-biodegradable caskets. It is legal in all 50 states, increasingly available, and often less expensive than conventional burial. For many families it is also a meaningful way to honor someone who cared about the environment.

This guide explains what green burial is, what it costs, how to find a certified cemetery, and what families need to arrange one.

What is green burial?

Green burial means interring the body in a way that allows it to decompose naturally and return to the soil. The core requirements:

• No embalming — the body is refrigerated or dry ice-cooled for preservation before burial, not chemically treated
• Biodegradable container — a shroud, wicker basket, untreated wood casket, or simple pine box; no metal, no sealed liners
• No concrete vault — conventional cemeteries typically require a burial vault or grave liner to prevent ground subsidence; natural burial cemeteries do not
• Shallow burial — typically 3.5 to 4 feet (not the conventional 6 feet) to maximize microbial activity

The result is that the body fully decomposes within a few years, returning nutrients to the soil. The grave is marked with a native plant, a GPS coordinate, or a simple natural stone — not a carved monument.

Types of natural burial

Not all green burials are the same. There are three primary levels:

Hybrid green burial sections. These are plots within a conventional cemetery designated for natural burial. No embalming, no vault — but the overall cemetery may still use pesticides and have conventional landscaping. The most widely available option.

Natural burial grounds. Cemeteries designed exclusively for natural burial. No pesticides, no non-biodegradable materials, sustainable land management. Some are working farms or conservation lands where the burial section is integrated into the property.

Conservation cemeteries. The highest-integrity designation, certified by the Green Burial Council. These cemeteries are permanently protected from development — the land is deeded to a land trust or conservation organization. Burials fund the ongoing conservation of the property. They function simultaneously as natural burial sites and wildlife habitat.

Is green burial legal?

Yes. There is no federal law prohibiting natural burial. Every state allows it, though specific rules vary:

• Embalming: No state requires embalming except in limited circumstances (interstate transport, specific public health situations). Refrigeration or dry ice is an accepted alternative everywhere.
• Casket requirements: No state requires a casket. A shroud alone is legal in all 50 states.
• Vault requirements: These are cemetery policies, not laws. A cemetery may require a vault — natural burial cemeteries explicitly waive this requirement. Conventional cemeteries may not.
• Home burial: Legal in most states on private land (with local health department registration). Varies significantly by county — check your local rules.

How much does green burial cost?

Green burial is typically significantly less expensive than conventional burial because it eliminates embalming, the vault (which can cost $1,000–$3,000 alone), and requires a less expensive container. However, conservation cemetery plots can be expensive because they fund land preservation.

| Item | Conventional burial | Green burial | |---|---|---| | Embalming | $500 – $900 | $0 | | Casket | $2,000 – $10,000+ | $200 – $2,500 (shroud or untreated wood) | | Burial vault or grave liner | $1,000 – $3,000 | $0 | | Cemetery plot | $1,000 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $5,000 (hybrid) · $2,000 – $8,000 (conservation) | | Opening and closing | $500 – $1,500 | $500 – $1,500 | | Funeral home services | $2,000 – $4,000 | $1,500 – $3,000 | | Typical total | $8,000 – $20,000+ | $3,000 – $10,000 |

Conservation cemetery plots are priced higher than hybrid plots because a portion of the fee supports the land trust's ongoing conservation mission.

For a full cost breakdown of all funeral types, see our guide to average funeral costs.

How to find a natural burial cemetery

The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org) is the primary certification body in the United States. Their online directory lists certified providers by state and designation level:

• Approved Provider: Funeral home committed to green practices
• Hybrid Cemetery: Conventional cemetery with a natural burial section
• Natural Burial Ground: Cemetery designed for natural burial only
• Conservation Burial Ground: Permanently protected land, highest integrity

What to ask any cemetery before committing:

• [ ] Are you certified by the Green Burial Council?
• [ ] What materials are permitted and prohibited? (Some "natural" cemeteries allow treated wood or plastics)
• [ ] Do you require a grave liner or vault?
• [ ] What does a grave marker look like? GPS coordinates? Natural stone? Native plants?
• [ ] How is the land managed? (Pesticide-free? Mowed? Conservation-managed?)
• [ ] Is the land protected from future development?
• [ ] What are the opening and closing fees?
• [ ] Can family members participate in the burial? (Many green cemeteries allow this)

What to use instead of a casket

A conventional casket is not required. The most common alternatives:

Shrouds. A natural fiber cloth (linen, cotton, wool, silk, or bamboo) wrapped around the body. The simplest, most affordable option — typically $200–$600. Many families make their own. The shroud must be certified biodegradable; synthetics are not permitted at most natural burial grounds.

Wicker or willow baskets. Handwoven from natural materials, fully biodegradable. Many are designed to look like a traditional casket. Typically $500–$1,500.

Untreated wood caskets. Pine boxes, plywood caskets, or simple wooden caskets without stain, paint, varnish, metal hardware, or synthetic liners. Typically $500–$2,500. Often available from Amish craftspeople or directly from some natural burial grounds.

Biodegradable urns for cremated remains. For families who choose cremation but want natural disposition of the ashes, biodegradable burial urns dissolve into the soil over weeks or months. Several companies now offer mushroom-based urns designed to accelerate the composting process.

Important: Confirm with the specific cemetery what materials they accept before purchasing — standards vary.

Can a conventional funeral home handle a green burial?

Yes, though not all are set up to do so. Key questions:

• Do they offer refrigeration as an alternative to embalming?
• Do they stock or sell biodegradable containers?
• Have they coordinated with the specific natural burial cemetery you've chosen?
• Will they transport the body to the cemetery without requiring embalming?

Some families use a "direct disposition" provider — a lower-cost funeral home that handles transport and paperwork without offering the full range of conventional services — and then coordinate the burial directly with the natural burial ground.

What about human composting (natural organic reduction)?

Human composting — also called natural organic reduction (NOR) — is an emerging option in which the body is transformed into soil amendment through a regulated composting process. It is currently legal in:

Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, Nevada, New York, Arizona, Minnesota, Hawaii, and a growing number of other states (laws change frequently — verify current status in your state).

The process takes approximately 30–60 days. Families receive the resulting soil, which can be used in a garden, scattered on conservation land, or donated to a forest restoration project. Providers charge approximately $3,000–$8,000. The Green Burial Council does not certify NOR providers — they are a distinct category.

Pre-planning a green burial

If you want to ensure your own green burial, the most reliable steps:

1. Purchase a plot in advance at a natural burial ground or conservation cemetery — demand is growing and desirable plots fill
2. Put your wishes in writing — a letter of instruction, a pre-arrangement contract, or your advance directive
3. Tell your family and executor exactly where the documents are and what your wishes are
4. Pre-pay if available — some natural burial grounds offer pre-paid arrangements; confirm portability if you might move

For a full pre-planning worksheet, see our funeral planning template.

Frequently asked questions

Is natural burial legal everywhere in the United States? Yes. No state prohibits it. Specific rules (home burial, permit requirements, acceptable containers) vary by state and county. The Green Burial Council's provider directory is the best starting point for local options.

Can you be embalmed and still have a green burial? No. Embalming introduces chemicals (formaldehyde) into the body and soil. Any certified natural burial ground prohibits embalmed remains. Refrigeration or dry ice cooling is the standard alternative for short-term preservation.

How long does it take for a naturally buried body to decompose? Soft tissue typically decomposes within 1–5 years depending on soil type, depth, temperature, and moisture. Bone takes longer — decades to centuries. Natural burial grounds rely on this process as part of their ecological design.

Can family members attend the burial and help fill the grave? Many natural burial grounds actively encourage it. Participating in the physical act of burial is part of the tradition for many families. Ask the specific cemetery about their policies.

Do you need a headstone? No. Most natural burial grounds prohibit conventional headstones to maintain the natural landscape. Alternatives include GPS coordinates recorded in the cemetery's register, a native plant, a natural fieldstone placed on the surface, or a number marker. The cemetery provides a permanent record.

What if the nearest natural burial ground is far away? Transport over long distances (or across state lines) typically requires embalming or a sealed container under state law — which disqualifies the remains from a green burial. In this case, local options or cremation with natural disposition of ashes (biodegradable urn, scattering in nature) may be the practical alternative. Human composting is available in select cities with shipping options.

Is green burial allowed for veterans? The National Cemetery Administration permits natural burial (without vaults, without embalming) in veterans cemeteries where the cemetery's infrastructure supports it. Not all national cemeteries have natural burial sections. Contact the specific national cemetery directly.

Can cremated remains be buried in a natural burial ground? Yes. Many natural burial grounds have sections for cremated remains buried in biodegradable urns. The ashes themselves are not harmful to soil. Metal urns and plastic bags are typically not permitted.

Laws and availability of green burial services continue to evolve. For current regulations in your state, contact your state health department or the Green Burial Council.

Disclaimer — For informational purposes only

This article is compiled from publicly available resources and is provided solely for general informational purposes. It does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, psychological, or other professional advice. Passings is a planning and organizational platform, not a licensed advisory service, and no attorney-client, financial advisor-client, or other professional relationship is created by reading this content.

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