Green Burial
What is green burial?
Green burial is a simpler, more natural approach that allows the body to return to the earth with minimal environmental impact. It avoids many of the materials and processes commonly associated with conventional burial, focusing instead on what is necessary, meaningful, and respectful.
In a green burial, the body is not embalmed with chemical preservatives. Instead, it is cared for using natural methods and placed in a biodegradable container — such as a simple casket or burial shroud — made from materials that can return safely to the earth. Burial vaults or liners are not used, allowing the ground to remain as natural as possible.
Green burial typically takes place in a designated natural burial area or cemetery that is committed to land stewardship and long-term environmental care. The setting is often intentionally simple, emphasizing the landscape itself rather than monuments or permanent structures.
While the approach is simpler, the care involved is not diminished. Families are supported through each step of the process, with attention given to honoring the person, respecting their values, and ensuring the burial is carried out thoughtfully and with dignity.
Why Families Choose Green Burial
Families who choose green burial are often guided by the same values that shaped how a loved one lived. Caring for the environment, valuing simplicity, and wanting life’s final chapter to feel consistent with the rest of the story all play an important role in this decision.
For some, green burial reflects a lifelong respect for the natural world — a desire to return to the earth gently, without unnecessary materials or processes. For others, it is the simplicity itself that feels right. Fewer decisions, fewer elements, and a focus on what truly matters can bring clarity and peace during a difficult time.
Many families also find comfort in the idea that green burial emphasizes restraint rather than excess. It allows remembrance to be rooted in presence, care, and meaning, rather than in permanence or display. The simplicity of the approach often mirrors the way a person lived: thoughtfully, intentionally, and with respect for the world around them.
There is no single reason families choose green burial. What these choices often share is a desire for authenticity — a wish to honor a life in a way that feels honest, grounded, and aligned with deeply held values.
