Green Burials

A Green Burial: An Eco-Friendly End-of-Life Choice

The earliest human burials date back to the Stone Age, when the remains of the deceased were buried directly into the earth. Green burials, which have grown in prominence since the 1990s, take inspiration from these earliest human practices. Green burials have gained popularity due to their rustic simplicity, especially when compared to traditional funerals. Simple shrouds or biodegradable caskets are used in lieu of metal caskets, concrete vaults, and embalming chemicals and are designed to break down naturally, which minimizes environmental impact. An increasing number of people who value the environment are changing their final arrangements to include green burials. 

History 

South Carolina introduced the first green burial ground in the United States in 1998. Since then, cemeteries across the country have followed its lead, with nearly 500 now offering this option. Some cemeteries combine conventional and green burials, while others serve as conservation sites that land trusts manage to preserve open spaces. 

Since 1998, green burials have grown in popularity. The Green Burial Council was formed in 2005 to provide consumers with guidance and create standards for businesses engaging in green burials. 

Cost and Availability 

Although cremation remains the most common way to dispose of one's remains in the U.S., more families are exploring the benefits of natural burials. Many are drawn to their lower costs, environmental benefits, and the personal, hands-on nature of the services.Prices for green burials depend heavily on location. For example, in major cities, cemetery plots can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In contrast, conservation burial grounds in rural areas might charge about $4,000, often covering both the gravesite and interment. With the median cost of a traditional funeral and burial at roughly $10,000, green burials can be a more affordable option that also avoids the emissions linked to cremation. 

An Equally Intimate Ceremony 

Death care is an inherently emotionally sensitive topic. Services for green burials feel just as intimate as traditional ones. Just as traditional ceremonies can be personalized, so too can green burials. Family and friends may walk together along wooded trails, lower the body into the grave themselves, or help cover it with soil, flowers, and natural branches. These ceremonies are conducted without the costly and environmentally stressful embalming chemicals, steel, and cement used in conventional burials. Instead, these rituals emphasize participation and connection, offering closure in a setting that feels both simple and meaningful. For those who choose green burials, there is solace, a comfort that upon death they can peacefully return to the planet that nourished their life. 

Other Environmentally Friendly Options 

New methods are also emerging. Human composting transforms a body into fertile soil within about a month. Alkaline hydrolysis, now legal in many states, uses water and chemicals to dissolve remains, leaving bone fragments that can be buried or scattered. These alternatives reflect a wider cultural shift toward gentler, less resource-heavy approaches.

Why Consider a Green Burial? 

For some, a green burial is a way to honor their environmental values. For others, it is about reducing financial strain on loved ones or avoiding the impersonal nature of conventional funerals. Overall, a green burial is about simplicity. It offers a return to the earth with respect for both the departed and the living. Regardless of the reason, planning in advance ensures wishes are carried out and eases the burden on family members. Death planning is an intimate and exhausting process, but green burials offer a viable alternative for those conscious of the environmental impact their death may bring.