Green Burial 101
For most of human history, what we now call green or natural burial was just called “burial,” – a simple, shallow hole dug into the earth, and the shrouded, unembalmed dead body placed into the hole.
What is a green burial?
A “green” burial is an environmentally friendly approach to interment that forgoes traditional embalming, metal caskets, and concrete vaults in favor of biodegradable materials and natural processes.
This method allows the body to decompose naturally, enriching the soil and reducing the carbon footprint associated with conventional burial practices.
By avoiding harmful chemicals and minimizing resource-intensive materials, green burials help conserve natural habitats, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable land use, making them an eco-conscious choice for end-of-life care.
What is a conservation burial?
Green burial is a safe and legal burial practice that uses biodegradable containers and avoids embalming fluids and vaults. Conservation burial goes a step further to commit burial fees to pay for land acquisition, protection, restoration, and management.
Not only does conservation burial help protect land, but the burial area becomes hallowed ground, restored to its natural condition, and protected forever with a conservation easement. Native plants beautify the burial sites. Citizens who support conservation are offered a more meaningful burial option with the certainty that protected land is the ultimate legacy to leave for future generations.
