Green Burial Options in America: A Complete Guide (2026)

What Is a Green Burial?

A green burial, also called natural burial, is any interment that minimizes environmental impact. The core principles are:

• No embalming: The body is preserved naturally through refrigeration or dry ice until burial, typically within 24 to 72 hours.
• Biodegradable containers: Instead of metal or lacquered hardwood caskets, the body is placed in a shroud, wicker basket, cardboard box, or untreated pine casket.
• No burial vault: Traditional cemeteries require a concrete vault to prevent the ground from settling. Green cemeteries allow the ground to settle naturally.
• Minimal landscape disruption: Graves are often marked with native plants, flat stones, or GPS coordinates rather than upright headstones.
• Land conservation: Many green burial grounds are managed as nature preserves, protecting the land from future development.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, over 60% of Americans express interest in green funeral options, up from 43% in 2015. This growing demand has led to more certified green cemeteries and new alternatives like human composting.

Green Burial Council Certification

The Green Burial Council (GBC) is the leading certification body for green funeral practices in the US. When choosing a cemetery or funeral provider, look for one of these three certification levels:

• Hybrid Burial Ground: A conventional cemetery that offers a green burial section. Embalming and non-biodegradable caskets may be used in other parts of the cemetery. This is the most widely available option.
• Natural Burial Ground: No embalming, no non-biodegradable containers, no individual grave memorials. The entire cemetery operates under green principles.
• Conservation Burial Ground: The highest level of certification. The land is legally protected through a conservation easement, meaning it can never be developed. A portion of each burial fee funds land restoration and habitat management.

As of 2026, there are over 300 GBC-certified providers across the United States. You can search the GBC directory at greenburialcouncil.org to find certified options near you.

Biodegradable Caskets and Shrouds

The container you choose is one of the biggest differences between green and conventional burial. Here are the most common options and their costs:

• Burial shroud: A simple cloth wrapping, often made from organic cotton, linen, or wool. Cost: $100 to $500.
• Cardboard casket: A reinforced cardboard box lined with natural fabric. Cost: $50 to $200.
• Pine or poplar casket: An untreated softwood box with rope handles. Cost: $500 to $1,500.
• Wicker or bamboo casket: Hand-woven from sustainable materials. Cost: $800 to $3,000.
• Mushroom burial suit: A body suit embedded with mushroom spores that aid decomposition. Cost: $1,500.
• Living cocoon: A coffin made from mycelium (the root network of mushrooms) that breaks down in 30 to 45 days. Cost: $1,500 to $2,500.

For comparison, a standard metal casket from a funeral home costs $2,500 to $10,000, and a hardwood casket costs $2,000 to $15,000+. The FTC Funeral Rule guarantees your right to use any casket you choose, including one purchased elsewhere.

Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction)

Human composting, formally called natural organic reduction (NOR), transforms the body into approximately one cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil over 4 to 8 weeks. Washington became the first state to legalize the process in 2019, and several states have followed:

• Washington (2019): Home of Recompose, the first commercial human composting facility
• Colorado (2021): Several providers now operate statewide
• Oregon (2021): Allowed alongside its existing progressive burial laws
• Vermont (2022): Available through authorized facilities
• California (2023): The largest market; multiple providers opening
• New York (2023): Legalized after years of advocacy
• Nevada (2024): Most recently legalized

The process works by placing the body in a vessel with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Microbial activity generates temperatures of 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking down the body naturally. The resulting soil can be returned to the family, donated to conservation projects, or used in a memorial garden.

Cost: $5,000 to $7,000. Recompose, the industry leader, charges approximately $7,000. This is comparable to a mid-range traditional funeral but produces soil instead of consuming land.

Environmental impact: Human composting saves an estimated 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide per person compared to conventional burial or cremation.

Alkaline Hydrolysis (Water Cremation)

Alkaline hydrolysis, also known as aquamation, water cremation, or flameless cremation, uses water, heat, and an alkaline solution (potassium hydroxide) to break down the body over 6 to 12 hours. The process leaves only bone fragments, which are processed into a powder similar to cremated remains.

• Uses approximately 90% less energy than flame-based cremation
• Produces no direct emissions of greenhouse gases or mercury (from dental fillings)
• Returns approximately 20% more remains to the family than fire cremation
• The sterile liquid byproduct can be safely released into the water treatment system

Legal in over 20 states including California, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah. Several additional states have legislation pending.

Cost: $2,000 to $4,000, placing it between direct cremation ($1,000 to $3,000) and a traditional funeral with cremation ($3,500 to $6,000). Notable providers include Bio-Response Solutions and Aquamation Industries.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose this method, which brought significant public awareness to alkaline hydrolysis as a viable alternative.

Conservation Cemeteries

Conservation cemeteries represent the most environmentally committed form of green burial. These are burial grounds where every interment directly funds land conservation. Key features include:

• Permanent land protection: A conservation easement ensures the land can never be developed, even if ownership changes.
• Habitat restoration: Burial fees fund native plant restoration, invasive species removal, and wildlife habitat management.
• Minimal markers: Graves are identified by GPS coordinates and native plantings rather than headstones.
• Ecological monitoring: Many conservation cemeteries partner with universities and land trusts for ongoing environmental research.

Notable conservation cemeteries include Ramsey Creek Preserve (South Carolina, the first conservation cemetery in the US), Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery (Florida), and Honey Creek Woodlands (Georgia).

Cost: $2,000 to $6,000 for a burial plot, which includes the conservation easement contribution. Total burial costs including the plot, opening/closing, and a biodegradable container typically run $3,000 to $8,000.

Cost Comparison: Green vs Traditional

For a complete breakdown of all funeral expenses, see our funeral costs guide and true cost of dying in America.

How to Find Green Burial Providers

Finding a green burial provider takes some research, but options are expanding rapidly. Here is where to start:

• Green Burial Council directory: Search greenburialcouncil.org for certified cemeteries, funeral homes, and product providers near you.
• Natural burial directories: The Natural End Map (naturalendmap.com) shows green burial options across North America.
• Funeral Consumers Alliance: A nonprofit that helps families find affordable and ethical funeral services, including green options. Visit funerals.org.
• State funeral board: Your state funeral regulatory board can confirm what green burial options are legal in your state.
• Home funeral guides: If you want to handle preparation yourself, the National Home Funeral Alliance (homefuneralalliance.org) provides resources and state-by-state legality information.

When contacting providers, ask about their GBC certification level, what materials they allow, and whether the land has conservation protections.

Planning a Green Burial in Advance

If a green burial matters to you, advance planning is essential. Without documented wishes, your family may default to conventional arrangements under time pressure. Steps to take now:

• Research green cemeteries in your area and visit them in person.
• Put your wishes in writing, including the type of burial, container preference, and whether you want a service.
• Share your plans with your family, your estate executor, and your attorney.
• Consider pre-purchasing a plot at a conservation cemetery. Prices tend to increase as plots fill.
• Set aside funds in a Payable on Death account or preneed plan to cover costs without burdening your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Funeral Costs in America: What to Expect
• Where to Scatter Ashes in the US
• Prepaid Funeral Plans: Are They Worth It?
• The True Cost of Dying in America (2026)
• State-by-State Guides