Comparison
Green burial vs Traditional burial
By Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa · Updated June 2026
Green burial skips embalming, metal caskets, and concrete vaults so the body returns to the earth naturally; traditional burial uses embalming, a sealed casket, and usually a vault. Green burial is often simpler and cheaper and has a much smaller footprint — but it needs a cemetery with a natural or hybrid section.
Green burial versus Traditional burial, compared
| Green burial | Traditional burial | |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming | None (refrigeration is used instead) | Common, especially for a viewing |
| Casket | Biodegradable shroud or casket | Hardwood or metal casket |
| Burial vault | None | Usually required by the cemetery |
| Typical cost | Often lower (fewer goods) | $7,000–$12,000 with funeral and plot |
| Availability | Natural or hybrid grounds only | Almost any cemetery |
| Environmental impact | Lowest-impact burial option | Higher (vault, embalming, materials) |
Figures are typical national ranges and vary widely by area and provider. Under the FTC Funeral Rule you're entitled to an itemized price list — always confirm prices directly.
Choose green burial
Choose green burial if environmental values, simplicity, or a lower cost matter and a natural burial ground is within reach.
Choose traditional burial
Choose traditional burial for a conventional viewing and service, or when the cemetery requires a vault.
Common questions
- What makes a burial green?
- A green burial avoids chemical embalming, a metal casket, and a concrete vault. The body is buried in a biodegradable shroud or casket so it breaks down naturally, usually in a section a cemetery has set aside for it.
- Is green burial cheaper than traditional burial?
- Often, yes. Skipping embalming, a hardwood or metal casket, and a vault removes some of the largest line items. The plot itself can still carry a fee, so ask the burial ground for an itemized price.
- Is embalming required?
- No. Embalming is rarely required by law, and green burial specifically avoids it. Refrigeration or dry ice keeps the body safe until burial instead.
- Where can I have a green burial?
- At a dedicated natural burial ground or a conventional cemetery with a hybrid green section. Availability varies by area, so confirm a nearby cemetery offers it before making plans.