Everything You Need to Know About Green Burial Sites
Looking for a burial option that reflects your loved one’s commitment to the environment? Green burial sites allow you to choose a final resting place that honors both their legacy and the earth.
Green burial sites have been growing in popularity over the past few years, especially among those who understand the importance of protecting our planet.
If you’re looking for a final resting place that aligns with your loved one’s values, we’re here to help. This blog post will give you everything you need to know to help you find the best green burial site for your loved one.
What is a Green Burial Site?
A green burial site is one that has as little negative impact on the earth as humanly possible and reduces carbon emissions. Green cemeteries can be divided into three categories: hybrid, natural, and conservation.
Hybrid cemeteries combine traditional burial sites with green burial sites. Usually, a section of the cemetery is dedicated to green burials, while the rest of the cemetery features traditional burials.
A natural cemetery is an all-green burial site where the goal is to limit the impact on the environment. There are no traditional burials in a natural cemetery.
Conservation sites are burial sites located in a natural conservation area where the local natural habitat is preserved and honored.
What are the Key Differences Between Traditional Burials & Green Burials?
The Casket
Green burials don’t use concrete vaults or traditional caskets. Instead, they use shrouds or biodegradable caskets that are better for the environment and won’t negatively impact the soil and wildlife around the burial site.
We at Woodland create our EcoRest caskets specifically with the environment in mind. Everything from the materials used to shipping is done with the intention of having as little impact on the environment as possible.
Embalming
Traditional burials use toxic embalming fluids that can cause damage to the environment. Green burials allow the body to decompose naturally without interference from harmful chemicals.
Landscaping
Traditional burial sites focus on landscaping and the outer appearance of the graves. They aim for manicured lawns, which require high water usage and the removal of some local vegetation. Green burial sites invite local vegetation to grow freely and avoid doing anything that would harm the local ecosystem.
How to Find a Certified Green Burial Site
Use Online Directories
As with most things these days, you can find everything you need online. There are two websites in particular that will be most helpful when you’re looking for green cemeteries to lay your loved one to rest.
The first is the Green Burial Council where you’ll find a list of natural, hybrid, and conservation burial sites throughout the United States. It lists the website, address, and contact information to make it easy for you to locate the perfect cemetery for your needs.
The second is US Funerals, which also provides a directory of all-natural, hybrid, and conservation burial sites throughout the United States. It includes the name, location, and contact number (if available).
Check for Certifications and Eco-friendly Practices
The Green Burial Council handles the certifications and verifications of natural, hybrid, and conservation burial sites in the United States.
This ensures that no corners are cut and that when you entrust a burial site with your loved one, they are adhering to eco-friendly practices.
Make sure to double-check that the burial site you’re considering is certified by the Green Burial Council and that they follow environmentally conscious practices, including avoiding toxic chemicals and minimizing carbon emissions.
Visit the Site in Person
While this may not always be possible, especially if you’re planning a burial from far away, you should always visit the burial site in person if you’re able to.
This allows you to see what eco-friendly practices they have in place and how the site is managed on a day-to-day basis.
You’ll also be able to see where your loved one will be laid to rest, giving you peace of mind that they’ll be in an idyllic setting where their final wishes are honored.
Green Burial Site Checklist
While you’re searching for the perfect green cemetery for your loved one, keep the following checklist in mind.
Proximity
Certifications
Eco-friendly practices
Costs
Burial options
Family involvement
How to Choose a Green Burial Site
Proximity
You may find the ideal green cemetery that fulfills all your needs, but if it’s miles away from where friends and family can visit, then it’s probably not the best idea.
When a loved one passes away, those who are left behind to grieve want to be able to visit and mourn their loss. Having the burial site close to family is always a good idea.
You should also consider the funeral itself and whether friends and family will be able to make it to the location of the burial site for the burial.
Certifications
Once again, check certifications with the Green Burial Council and make sure that the burial site you’ve chosen is verified.
You don’t want to invest in a cemetery that doesn’t actually practice what it preaches. You want to ensure that your loved one’s environmentally conscious beliefs are being upheld as they are laid to rest.
Eco-friendly Practices
Is there a concrete vault or another outer container being used in the burial process? Is the body being embalmed with toxic chemicals? Is the casket non-biodegradable? If any of these are true, then the burial site is not fully invested in eco-friendly practices.
When you visit the site, ask lots of questions about the burial process and how the grounds are maintained.
Manicured lawns and a lack of local vegetation are also signs that the cemetery is not as green as you may have been told.
Costs
Unfortunately, you have to consider your budget when looking at green cemeteries. What can you realistically afford?
Nobody wants to think about money when a loved one has just passed away, but burials can become expensive, even though green burials are generally more affordable than traditional burials.
At this point, you need to decide whether you want to hire a funeral director who provides green burial services or deal directly with the burial site. Both are good options, depending on your needs and the involvement you want to have in the process.
Burial Options
Do you want to lay your loved one to rest in a natural green cemetery, a hybrid burial site, or a conservation?
All are great options, depending on what you want. If you can’t find a natural cemetery close enough to family members, then you may want to consider a hybrid burial site. However, a conservation site is the closest to a proper green burial you can get.
Family Involvement
How much do you want to be involved in the process of the burial? Some green burial sites offer a far more involved process where the family plays a big role in preparing the body and placing it in the ground.
When you visit a site you like, make sure to ask what part you’d be playing on the actual day of the funeral so you can decide whether that’s something that you and your family want.
The Cost of a Green Burial Site
Green burial plots can cost between $500 and $5,000, depending on the burial site.
Woodland EcoRest caskets cost between $1,450 and $2,450
If you use a funeral director service (which includes preparation, burial, and transportation), you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $3,500
*There is also the cost of maintenance, which entirely depends on the green cemetery you’ve chosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Green Burial Sites Legal Everywhere?
A: Technically, green burial sites are legal everywhere in the United States. However, certain state laws can make specific eco-friendly practices difficult. For example, in some states, you need to have a paved roadway leading to a burial site, and this goes against everything conservation sites are trying to achieve.
Q: Can You Use a Green Burial Site for Cremated Remains?
A: This depends on the green cemetery itself. Many will allow you to bury your loved one’s cremated remains in a biodegradable urn.
Q: Can You Still Embalm a Body for a Green Burial Site?
A: Yes, but only if you use non-toxic, Green Burial Council-certified products. Traditional embalming is not allowed.
Q: Is a Green Burial More Expensive Than a Traditional Burial?
A: No. In general, green burials are more cost-effective than traditional burials because you’re not paying for a concrete vault, traditional embalming, and other traditional practices.
Next Steps
This is undoubtedly a difficult time for you and your family and friends. It’s never easy saying goodbye to a loved one. To make this process as simple as possible, try to involve those closest to you in the decision-making.
Discuss the choice to go with a green burial site and explain why you’ve made the decision. Ask for their input on the sites you’re considering. And when you need it, reach out for help. You shouldn’t have to do this alone.
Once you’ve made the final decisions on where you’re going to hold the burial, contact the site and funeral director (if you choose to use one) to confirm prices so there are no surprises down the line.
Lastly, visit the site to make sure you’re comfortable with the final resting place of your loved one.
Final Thoughts
Laying your loved one to rest in a place that acknowledges and respects their eco-friendly beliefs is a beautiful thing. You’re doing exactly what they would have wanted.
We understand that these are difficult times and that there is so much you need to do. We hope this blog post has helped you better understand what to look for in a green burial site and how to find one that suits your needs.
Finding the right burial site is all about closure and showing love and care for the deceased. You’re on the right path.
