What Is a Green Burial and How Does It Work?
By CRYSTAL BAI •
The short answer: A green burial is an environmentally friendly disposition that allows the body to decompose naturally without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults — returning the body to the earth as simply as possible.
What Makes a Burial "Green"?
Green burial — also called natural burial — minimizes environmental impact at every step. The defining characteristics are:
- No embalming: Chemical preservatives like formaldehyde are omitted
- Biodegradable container: Wicker, wood, cardboard, or a simple shroud instead of metal or sealed caskets
- No concrete vault: The grave is left open to allow natural soil contact
- Shallow depth: Often 3–4 feet rather than 6, allowing aerobic decomposition
- Natural grave marking: Native stones, plants, or GPS coordinates instead of granite headstones
Types of Green Burial
| Type | Description | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid burial | Green burial in a conventional cemetery section | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Natural burial ground | Dedicated green cemetery, no conventional graves | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Conservation burial | Green burial in protected wilderness land | $3,000–$10,000 |
Is Green Burial Legal?
Green burial is legal in all 50 states, though regulations vary. Key considerations:
- Most states require burial within a licensed cemetery
- Home burial on private land is legal in some states but restricted in others
- Embalming is rarely required by law — usually only for transport across state lines or international repatriation
- Check your state's vital records and cemetery regulations for specifics
How to Find a Green Cemetery
The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org) certifies green cemeteries across the US at three levels: hybrid, natural, and conservation. Over 300 certified locations exist nationwide as of 2025.
Environmental Benefits
- Avoids ~4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid buried annually in US conventional cemeteries
- Eliminates ~800,000 tons of casket steel and 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete per year
- Returns nutrients to the soil, supporting local ecosystems
- Conservation burials protect land from development permanently
Religious and Cultural Perspectives
Many traditions align naturally with green burial:
- Islam: Requires simple shroud burial — green burial is often the preferred form
- Judaism: Traditional Jewish burial prohibits embalming and uses simple wooden caskets
- Christianity: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" — many denominations embrace it
- Indigenous traditions: Many have practiced natural burial for centuries