The Cost of Green Burial vs. Cremation

The death of a loved one is a difficult time for everyone involved, especially the person left behind to plan the funeral. 

And with traditional funeral costs averaging more than $7,000 and an increasing focus on eco-friendly alternatives, many people are turning to green burials and cremations. 

But which of the two options is better for the environment and more cost-effective?

This blog will break down the costs of green burials and cremations, weigh the pros and cons, and help guide you while you make this important decision for your loved one. 

What Is a Green Burial?

A green burial is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burials. The goal is to reduce environmental harm by eliminating toxic chemicals and lowering carbon emissions. 

This is done in several ways. For starters, the process of embalming the body by preserving it in toxic chemicals is removed. Instead, the body is either laid to rest naturally or a non-toxic process, approved by the Green Burial Council, is used. 

Then, in a green burial, there is no concrete vault to house the casket. These vaults are often used in traditional burials and cause environmental damage in their creation, transportation, and lack of decomposition. 

A biodegradable casket or shroud is used to ensure that the natural surroundings are not disturbed. The casket or shroud is made from non-toxic materials that won’t harm the environment in any way. 

Often, local plants or seedlings will be planted in memory of the deceased and beautiful natural vegetation will grow around the burial site as a result. 

How Does a Green Burial Compare to Cremation?

Cremations involve burning the deceased’s body until all that remains are ashes. Often, the family and friends of the deceased will either scatter the ashes in a significant place or keep those ashes in an urn in a special place. 

While there is no body to bury, those who have cremated a loved one will still often have a memorial service.

A green burial is still a burial, and therefore, there is still the act of burying the body and having a funeral service to think about. Green burials often include the family saying their goodbyes as they add soil to the ground and prepare the final resting place. 

Cost Breakdown: Green Burial vs Cremation 

Typical Cost of a Green Burial 

Green burial plots range in price depending on whether you choose to bury your loved one in a natural green burial site, a hybrid cemetery, or a conservation. Plots can cost between $1,000 and $4,000.

You can make your own shroud to bury your loved one. However, many biodegradable caskets are available to purchase, including our Woodland EcoRest caskets, which cost between $1,450 and $2,450.

If you still want to use a funeral director for your green burial to help with preparation, the burial, and transportation, you’ll end up paying a couple thousand more and up. 

Remember that there are also costs involved for grave maintenance and transportation. You need to double-check those costs before you make any decisions. 

Typical Cost of a Cremation 

You’re looking to pay around $2,300 or more for the cremation itself. It all depends on where in the United States you are and the other costs involved. 

You’ll also need to purchase an urn and decide if you want to scatter the ashes somewhere that might require a permit. 

You should also consider the cost of the memorial service if you choose to have one. You’ll have to rent the venue and pay for refreshments as well. 

How to Save Money: Green Burial vs Cremation 

Green Burials 

• Direct burial: Choose a direct burial to save money on funeral director services. 

• DIY caskets or shrouds: You can make your own biodegradable casket or shroud. 

• Group plots: Some green burial sites offer a discount for families who purchase multiple plots together. 

• Avoid a vault: If allowed, don’t have a vault or a liner for the casket. This is also much more environmentally friendly. 

Cremation

• Shop around: Look for the most affordable cremation services in your area, and don’t simply choose the first option you find. 

• Choose a simple urn: Don’t buy an extravagant urn that will cost you an arm and a leg. 

• Scatter the ashes somewhere free: Avoid scattering your loved one's ashes in a place that will require a permit. 

• Don’t host a formal memorial service: Memorial services can be extremely expensive. You can have an informal memorial service as you scatter the ashes or in your own home. 

Pros and Cons: Green Burial vs Cremation 

Green Burial 

Pros:

• Ecologically friendly option 

• Includes a proper send-off for your loved one

• Honors your loved one’s passion for the environment

• You have a beautiful and serene place to visit where you can remember your loved one 

Cons:

• The costs can add up, depending on the plot you’ve chosen 

• There may not be a green burial site that’s suitable close to your location

Cremation

Pros:

• It’s relatively affordable 

• It’s convenient 

• You can decide how you honor your loved one 

• It’s still more ecologically friendly than traditional burial

Cons: 

• Some traditional practices require the body to be buried whole

• While cremation is more ecologically friendly than traditional burial, it still causes harmful emissions

Step-by-Step Guide to Green Burial vs Cremation 

1. Define Your Budget 

Unfortunately, you do have to think about your budget during this difficult time. The death of a loved one shouldn’t put you in debt. 

Determine what you can afford realistically and then search for options within that budget. There’s no point in looking at the most scenic green burial sites at conservations if you can’t fit the plot and transportation fees into your budget. 

2. Consider the Environmental Impact 

Think about the differences in the environmental impact and what your loved one would have wanted. 

You don’t want to do anything that would have gone against their wishes. You also don’t want to cause harm to the environment in the long run. 

We’ll get into the environmental impact of cremation vs burial in a short while, so you’ll have more information to guide you. 

3. Look into the Availability of Green Burial Sites in Your Area

There’s no use choosing a green burial if you don’t have any green burial sites in your area. So, first, do your research. 

You can find green burial sites in the United States online through the Green Burial Council and US Funerals directories. 

Decide whether you want a natural, hybrid, or conservation site and then go from there. 

4. Discuss Your Decision With Your Family 

You don’t need to make this decision alone. Speak to your family and friends and ask for their opinions. 

If you don’t have anyone you can talk to about these issues, you can always ask a funeral director for advice. 

The Environmental Impact of Cremation vs Burial 

Environmentally speaking, green burials are the more ecologically friendly option of the two, especially if you don’t use a vault or liner. 

For example, if you use our EcoRest casket, it’s designed to be biodegradable, leaving no toxins behind. It’s an environmentally friendly option created with loads of thought put into how we can have the best impact on our surroundings.  

Cremation still causes some harmful emissions during the process of turning the body into ashes. 

However, both of these options are better for the environment than traditional burials. So, if you’re unable to have a green burial due to cost or location, cremation is still a good choice for your loved one. 

Financial Assistance for Funerals 

If you’re struggling financially but still want to have a proper green burial or memorial for your loved one, there are options. 

Non-profit programs, like the Funeral Consumers Alliance, offer resources and can assist with finding lower-cost options. 

Some states offer funeral assistance programs that can be applied to green burials, although they may not be specifically designed for eco-friendly options. 

Many families have found success turning to crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to offset burial costs, especially for green burials that support conservation efforts. 

Finally, some eco-friendly funeral homes and conservation cemeteries have funds or grants available for low-income families interested in green burials.  

To Wrap Up 

There are many differences between cremation and green burials, and your decision shouldn’t be based only on cost, although we understand that can play a big role. 

At the end of the day, it should be about what your loved one would want, as well as what you can realistically afford. 

Both green burials and cremation are cheaper and greener alternatives to traditional burials. It comes down to your personal values and how you’d like to lay your loved one to rest.