Natural Burial Explained
What is a green burial or a natural burial?
A natural burial, or green burial, is an environmentally sustainable and organic way to dispose of a deceased body. The body is not embalmed and is interred in the ground using only a biodegradable coffin or shroud. The deceased is buried directly into the earth without a concrete burial vault or any metal parts on the coffin.
The aim is to allow the body to naturally decompose and return to the soil, as in the phrase so commonly used around death of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
Why Opt for a Natural Burial?
Green funerals have been around for some time. Indeed, what we know as a traditional American Funeral was closer to being a natural burial in the mid-19th century, when undertakers built wooden coffins, and interment was direct into the earth.
Some faiths practice only natural burial, such as Muslims and Jews, where beliefs mandate a natural, organic approach to death care.
Natural burial is experiencing something of a revival today. It is gaining more attention in states with greater awareness and a commitment to sustainability and protecting our planet and its resources.
There is also a growing interest in home funerals or family-led funerals. Read more about conducting a DIY Funeral.
The main reasons people consider a green burial are:
- Simplicity
- Cost
- Conserving natural resources & natural areas
- Eliminating exposure to hazardous chemicals
Let’s explore these reasons in a little more detail.
The Simplicity of a Natural Burial
Those who opt for a natural burial often seek a simpler, more holistic approach to death care. They want simple funeral arrangements that minimally interfere with the body and provide a lasting green impact on the planet.
There are options for burying the deceased with a seedling, allowing a tree to grow from the remains of a loved one. This seems like a wonderful legacy to re-oxygenate our planet and create a long-term memorial arboretum.
Cost – Is Natural Burial cheaper?
According to the NFDA Cremation & Burial report, a typical traditional funeral, including a casket and embalming, costs $7,848, excluding a cemetery plot fee. Items such as embalming, a casket, a burial vault, and a plot in perpetuity in a designated cemetery are all costly.
This is where a natural burial is much less expensive, as costs such as embalming, a steel casket, and a burial vault are not required.
A Green Funeral / Natural Burial is likely to cost between $1,000 and $4,000. However, it can cost less if the family handles all the arrangements to transfer the deceased directly to the green burial site for interment.
Committing your body to conserve natural resources & natural areas
Every year, the U.S. buries 17,000 tons of steel and copper in vaults, 90,000 tons in caskets, 30 million board feet of hardwood, and 1.6 million tons of concrete. A natural burial is less demanding on our resources, as fewer resources are consumed.
Cremation, which has become more popular over the last decade, requires gas, so although sometimes considered more environmentally friendly, it still consumes a natural resource.
Green burial also helps conserve our natural areas and creates new natural forests and meadows.
Visit our post on Why Should You Consider a Green Funeral.
Opting to eliminate exposure to hazardous chemicals
Formaldehyde, which is used in embalming fluid, is a dangerous chemical. It is a known respiratory irritant and carcinogen. Aside from embalming fluid absorbing into our planet as a body decomposes, it is not safe to expose funeral home workers and morticians to this hazardous substance routinely.
Can a natural burial be affordable?
Yes, green burial or natural burial is significantly more affordable than a traditional funeral. It eliminates the need for embalming, an expensive casket, and a burial vault.
The costs of a simple cardboard container to hold the deceased, a simple pine coffin, or a muslin shroud are much less than those of a steel or copper casket.
Some natural burial sites offer interment at very affordable prices. It is fair to say that a simple, natural burial can cost as little as $500 – $1,500.
How do I choose a green burial site?
If you are seeking a green burial site, you should consider several factors. Do you want a bespoke natural cemetery? Or a specially designated ‘green’ section within a conventional cemetery? This is a ‘hybrid’ green burial cemetery.
More conventional cemeteries are adding green burial sections to meet demand for natural burial.
Some of these cemeteries may still charge plot fees that are considered more expensive than those of a conservation natural burial ground, as they incur costs for cemetery maintenance.
If you are interested in a ‘wild’ conservation area burial site, you must be more selective about which site you choose.
Click here for a list of all green burial cemeteries in the U.S.
What if there is no green burial cemetery near me?
You can make a burial in a cemetery greener by choosing not to have embalming and using a biodegradable casket. If the cemetery allows it, you can choose not to use a concrete burial vault.
If the family owns rural land, you can consider a home burial. Most states allow natural burial on private property. Each county has zoning requirements, so you must apply for the correct permit.
Just remember that unless you have established a protected family cemetery on the land, if the land use should change, the remains could become inaccessible or disturbed.
Do I need a funeral director for a green burial?
In most states, you do not legally need to employ a funeral director. It is just a convention that we do. 10 states have legislation that stipulates only a funeral director can transport the deceased and obtain the necessary permits and death certificates.
Suppose you have decided on a natural burial for a family member in the 40 states where you do not legally have to use the services of a funeral director. In that case, you can conduct a family-led funeral and transfer the deceased to the natural burial ground for interment.
Most funeral homes can assist you with a green burial if you choose it. Several funeral companies specialize in offering natural burial options.
How do I choose a receptacle for a natural burial?
You need to choose a biodegradable container. This can range from a plain wooden coffin, a reinforced cardboard container, a wicker basket, or a simple muslin shroud. It is all about what is right for your loved one and family.
A wooden coffin will likely cost more but is easier to transport safely. Reinforced cardboard containers can be purchased cheaply and hand-decorated with messages by family and friends before being interred at a burial site.
Shrouds offer very limited support for transporting the deceased to a cemetery but provide minimal resistance as a biodegradable barrier.
What kind of memorial marker can be erected in a green burial cemetery?
This depends on the burial site. If it is a hybrid green cemetery, you may be able to erect a conventional grave marker.
The conservation of natural burial sites aims to minimize the impact on the natural terrain. Therefore, markers are typically only simple natural rocks or native plants.
Some green burial sites will offer plaques that sit flush with the ground. Most natural burial sites offer grave locations recorded by GPS so that you have a permanent ‘marker’ of the gravesite location.
What does a natural burial cost?
The cost of a natural burial varies by region and the type of burial site you opt for. Generally, a green burial for a body costs between $1,000 and $4,000. Interment of cremated remains in a natural burial site will likely cost between $200 and $1,000.
Average Natural Burial Costs by U.S. Region
At a glance: Natural burial costs are usually lowest in the Midwest and Southeast, while West Coast and Northeastern burial grounds often charge more because of higher land values and more limited availability.
| U.S. Region | Natural Burial for a Body* | Interment of Cremated Remains* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $2,000 – $4,000 | $400 – $900 | Land and cemetery costs tend to be higher in the Northeast. |
| Southeast | $1,200 – $3,000 | $250 – $700 | More affordable options are often available, especially in hybrid cemeteries. |
| Midwest | $1,000 – $2,800 | $200 – $600 | Prices vary widely depending on the availability of local cemeteries. |
| Southwest | $1,500 – $3,500 | $300 – $800 | Prices vary widely depending on local cemetery availability. |
| West Coast | $2,500 – $5,000+ | $500 – $1,000 | Generally, among the more affordable regions for green burial. |
Regional prices are estimates only. Actual natural burial costs vary by cemetery, whether it is a hybrid or conservation burial ground, and which professional services are included.
Although a natural burial can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of a traditional burial, some funeral home charges for a green burial can seem expensive.
A funeral home will use a simple pine casket that they will likely mark up. You can purchase or make your own container, as the funeral home must accept any ‘appropriate’ container you provide. This can significantly save on the cost of burial.
A natural burial is a very simplistic and humanist approach to death care. Many families who opt for a natural burial feel strongly about being in control of the process and the ritual of death care.
A green burial can often be arranged as an inexpensive option for direct burial.
A Simpler, More Natural Way to Say Goodbye
For many families today, green burial represents more than just an environmentally conscious choice—it reflects a shift back to simplicity, intention, and personal meaning in how we say goodbye.
Instead of feeling pressured into expensive packages or unfamiliar traditions, a natural burial allows families to slow things down and focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s a quiet woodland interment, a family-led graveside gathering, or a minimal, no-frills burial, the emphasis is on authenticity rather than formality.
From a cost perspective, green burial can also offer real value. By avoiding embalming, elaborate caskets, and high cemetery overheads, families often find they can arrange a meaningful farewell for significantly less than a traditional funeral. As outlined above, costs can vary by region and burial ground—but in many cases, a natural burial is one of the most affordable full-body disposition options available.
Just as importantly, it provides flexibility. There is no rigid timeline, no requirement for a formal service, and no expectation to follow a set script. Families can create a farewell that feels right for them—whether that’s immediate burial or a memorial held weeks later.
Is Green Burial Right for You or Your Family?
Green burial is not the right choice for everyone—but it is becoming an increasingly popular option for those who:
- Prefer a more natural return to the earth
- Want to reduce environmental impact
- Are seeking a simpler, lower-cost alternative to traditional funerals
- Value a more personal, family-led approach to end-of-life care
As awareness grows and more natural burial grounds open across the U.S., access is steadily improving. Even where dedicated green cemeteries are limited, many hybrid cemeteries now offer natural burial sections, making this option more widely available than ever before.
Final Thoughts
Planning a funeral or cremation can feel overwhelming—especially when faced with unfamiliar choices and unexpected costs. Green burial offers a clear and grounded alternative: one that is transparent, flexible, and rooted in both environmental responsibility and human simplicity.
At DFS Memorials, we believe families deserve to understand all their options—not just the ones most commonly marketed. Whether you ultimately choose cremation, green burial, or another form of disposition, having clear, honest information empowers you to make the right decision for your family.
If you are exploring affordable funeral or cremation options in your area, DFS Memorials can help connect you with trusted local providers who prioritize transparency and value.
Sara Marsden-Ille is a writer and researcher specialising in the death care industry. With more than 15 years covering end-of-life services, funeral trends, and consumer funeral planning, she writes for DFS Memorials and US Funerals Online to help families make informed decisions.
