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What is Green Burial?

Throughout much of human history, the conventional practice after death involved burying bodies in the ground and allowing them to decompose naturally. However, over time, we've complexified, toxified, and inflated this process. The emerging concept of green burial marks a return to simplicity, echoing traditional practices by allowing bodies to decompose naturally in the earth without hindrance. This approach not only nurtures the environment but also offers a serene and natural farewell, providing a final resting place immersed in the beauty of nature.

A few defining Criteria and Characteristics of Green Burial Cemeteries:

  • Providing eco-conscious care for the deceased to minimize environmental harm and support the preservation of natural resources. 

  • Decreasing carbon emissions

  • Safeguarding the health of funeral home and cemetery workers

  • Avoiding the use of toxic embalming fluids

  • Eliminating the need for burial vaults

  • Opting for biodegradable containers, caskets, or shrouds

  • Abstaining from the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers

Definitions

Hybrid Cemeteries

These cemeteries blend traditional burial practices with elements of natural burial, either integrated throughout the cemetery grounds or in specific designated areas. Hybrid cemeteries certified by the Green Burial Council (GBC) eliminate the need for burial vaults and accommodate various eco-friendly, biodegradable burial containers, including shrouds and soft-wood caskets. For more info, go to Hybrid Cemeteries FAQ

Natural Burial Grounds

These burial grounds are entirely committed to sustainable principles, aiming to conserve energy, reduce waste, and prohibit the use of harmful substances. They refrain from employing toxic chemicals, any components of vaults (including lids, slabs, or partitioned liners), non-native stone markers, and burial containers not crafted from natural or plant-derived materials.

For more info, go to Natural Burial FAQ

Conservation Burial Grounds

These natural burial cemeteries are established in collaboration with conservation organizations, featuring a comprehensive conservation management plan that adheres to best practices. They ensure perpetual protection of the land through conservation easements or deed restrictions. For further details, please refer to the

Conservation Burial FAQ

For guidance in Pennsylvania

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For a guide to planning your green burial

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How does this compare to other options?

Cemetery Gravestones

1

Conventional Burial

What Americans put in the ground each year:

  • 20 million board feet of wood - often exotic wood from the rainforest

  • 17,000 tons of copper and bronze

  • 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid

  • 64,500 tons of steel - often imported

  • 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete - roughly 1-2 tons per grave

2

Cremation

Green Farm

Other benefits of green burial:

- Captures 25 pounds of carbon

- Enables our ultimate decision to pay homage to and sustain the environment - your lasting footprint

- Provides additional space for loved ones closure through hands-on participation

- Preserves land from urbanization, saves it for conservation

- Allows our bodies to rejoin nature for recycling, fostering a natural decomposition process essential to our planet's balance

- Offers loved ones a serene farewell amidst nature and a final resting place where they may find solace spending time thereafter

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