Green Burials: What They Are and Why They're Growing in Popularity

When it comes to saying goodbye, more families are choosing options that honor both their loved ones and the natural world. Green burials offer a simple, meaningful way to return to the earth without the chemicals, heavy caskets, or long-lasting impacts of traditional burial.

In this post, I’ll share what a green burial is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a choice more people are making today.

What Is a Green Burial?

A green burial focuses on keeping the process as simple and natural as possible. The body is not embalmed with chemicals, and biodegradable materials like simple cloth shrouds or wooden caskets are often used. The goal is to allow the body to return to the earth naturally, without slowing down or interrupting the natural cycle of decay and renewal.

Green burials usually take place in natural settings like meadows, forests, or special sections of cemeteries that are set aside for eco-friendly practices. Markers, if they are used at all, are often simple stones, plants, or natural features rather than large headstones. The idea is to leave as little lasting impact as possible while creating a peaceful, natural place of remembrance.

Why More Families Are Choosing Green Burials

Families are drawn to green burials for many different reasons. For some, it’s about protecting the environment and choosing a burial that doesn’t involve chemicals, metal, or concrete. For others, it feels comforting to return to the earth in a natural, simple way.

Green burials can also be more personal. Many families appreciate being part of the process of gathering in a natural setting, placing flowers, or even helping lower the body into the ground by hand.

Cost can be another factor. Because green burials skip some of the traditional expenses like embalming, heavy caskets, and concrete vaults, they can sometimes be a more affordable option.

Most of all, families often say that green burials feel peaceful, personal, and closely connected to the rhythms of life and nature.

A Return to Simplicity

Green burials offer a way to honor life without leaving a heavy mark on the earth. For families who value nature, simplicity, and a gentle goodbye, it can be a beautiful choice.

As more people learn about green burials, they are finding new ways to celebrate life - by giving something back to the world that gave so much to them.