Glossary
Green burial
Green burial, or natural burial, is burial that minimizes environmental impact by skipping embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete vaults. The body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud so it can return naturally to the earth.
A green burial typically uses no embalming, a casket or shroud made of natural materials, and often no outer burial vault. Some dedicated natural burial grounds and conservation cemeteries are designed around these practices.
Requirements differ by cemetery and state, and not every cemetery permits vault-free burial, so families usually confirm what a specific site allows before planning.
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Common questions
- Is green burial cheaper than a conventional burial?
- It often costs less because it skips embalming, a metal casket, and a concrete vault, but a plot at a dedicated natural burial ground or conservation cemetery can carry its own price. Comparing itemized costs at a specific site is the clearest way to know.
- Is embalming allowed in a green burial?
- Green burial typically uses no embalming chemicals, which is central to its goal of letting the body return naturally to the earth. A biodegradable casket or shroud is used instead of metal or sealed containers.
- Can I have a green burial at any cemetery?
- Not always. Requirements differ by cemetery and state, and not every cemetery permits vault-free or shroud-only burial. Families usually confirm what a specific natural or conventional cemetery allows before planning.
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