What a Green Burial Council Certified Cemetery Is

A Green Burial Council certified cemetery is a burial ground that has met specific environmental standards set by the Green Burial Council, a nonprofit organization. The certification means the cemetery follows practices that minimize environmental impact — such as avoiding chemical embalming fluids, using only biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and preserving natural habitat instead of manicuring lawns into grass monocultures.

The Green Burial Council does not run these cemeteries. Instead, it inspects and certifies them based on their land management, burial practices, and transparency about what they do. A cemetery earns one of three certification levels — Certified, Advanced Certified, or Conservation Certified — depending on how strictly it follows the standards. You can search for certified cemeteries by location on the Green Burial Council's website.

These cemeteries exist across the United States, though they are not evenly distributed. Some regions have many options; others have few or none nearby. A certified cemetery may be a standalone green burial ground, or it may be a section within a larger traditional cemetery that operates under green standards.

Key Takeaways

  • Green Burial Council certified cemeteries follow environmental standards for embalming, caskets, grounds maintenance, and habitat preservation that are verified by the nonprofit Green Burial Council.
  • Certification comes in three levels — Certified, Advanced Certified, and Conservation Certified — based on how strictly the cemetery meets the standards.
  • You can search for certified cemeteries by state and county on the Green Burial Council's public directory to find options near you.
  • Costs at certified cemeteries vary widely and depend on location, land type, and what services the cemetery offers, just as they do at traditional cemeteries.
  • A certified cemetery does not require you to use a funeral home; you can arrange burial directly with the cemetery in many cases.

How the Green Burial Council Certification Process Works

The Green Burial Council sets standards in four main areas: land management, burial practices, business transparency, and environmental impact. A cemetery that wants certification submits documentation showing how it meets these standards, and the council reviews it. If the cemetery passes, it receives a certificate and appears in the council's public directory.

The three certification levels reflect how comprehensively a cemetery meets the standards. A Certified cemetery meets the baseline requirements. An Advanced Certified cemetery goes further — for example, by restoring native plants or protecting wildlife corridors. A Conservation Certified cemetery typically operates on land held in a conservation easement, meaning the land is legally protected from development in perpetuity.

Certification is not permanent. The Green Burial Council recertifies cemeteries periodically to may support they continue meeting standards. If a cemetery stops following the practices it certified for, it can lose its certification.

What Happens During a Green Burial at a Certified Cemetery

At a certified cemetery, the body is typically not embalmed with chemical fluids. Instead, it may be refrigerated, dry-iced, or buried within a short time after death. The casket or burial container must be biodegradable — usually made of wood, cardboard, wicker, or natural fiber. Metal caskets and vaults are not used because they do not break down.

The grave itself is dug by hand or machine, and the body is placed directly in the earth or in a biodegradable shroud. No concrete vault is poured around the casket. This allows the body and container to decompose naturally and return nutrients to the soil. Headstones, if used, are typically made of natural stone and placed flat or at a low angle so they do not interfere with mowing or habitat.

Many certified cemeteries do not require you to use a funeral home. You can work directly with the cemetery to arrange the burial. Some families wash and dress the body themselves, while others hire a funeral home that specializes in green burial. The cemetery will tell you what your options are and what paperwork is needed.

Finding and Comparing Certified Cemeteries Near You

The Green Burial Council maintains a searchable directory on its website where you can filter by state and county. The directory shows the cemetery's name, location, certification level, and a link to contact information. Some listings include details about the cemetery's practices, such as whether it allows family-dug graves or permits natural wildflower meadows instead of mowed grass.

Once you find a cemetery that interests you, contact it directly to ask about costs, available burial plots, and what the burial process looks like. Prices vary significantly based on location, land type, and services. A plot in a rural conservation cemetery may cost far less than one in an urban green burial ground. Some cemeteries charge a one-time plot fee; others charge an opening and closing fee when the burial happens.

If no certified cemetery is near you, ask a local funeral home whether they work with green burial practices or know of cemeteries that do, even if those cemeteries are not Green Burial Council certified. Some cemeteries follow green practices but have not pursued formal certification.

Cost and Practical Considerations

Green burial at a certified cemetery is often less expensive than traditional burial because you avoid embalming, a casket vault, and sometimes a funeral home entirely. However, the cost of the plot itself depends on the cemetery's location and land value, not on whether it is green certified. A plot in a conservation cemetery in a rural area may be affordable; a plot in a green burial ground near a city may be costly.

Ask the cemetery for a written price list that includes the plot cost, opening and closing fees, and any other charges. Some cemeteries charge for perpetual care of the grounds. Others do not. Understand what you are paying for before you commit.

You will also need to arrange for the body to be transported from the place of death to the cemetery. If you do not use a funeral home, you may need to hire a transport service or ask the cemetery for a referral. Some states allow family members to transport the body themselves under certain conditions; check your state's regulations.

What Green Burial Council Certification Does and Does Not may provide

Certification means the cemetery has met the council's environmental standards at the time of inspection. It does not mean the cemetery is perfect, that it will never change its practices, or that it is the right choice for your family. You should still visit the cemetery, ask questions, and read any contracts before making a decision.

Certification also does not mean the cemetery is less regulated or that burials there are not legal. Green burial is a lawful option in all 50 states, though some states have specific rules about what materials can be used or how quickly a body must be buried. The cemetery will know these rules and follow them.

Finally, certification does not mean the cemetery is run by the Green Burial Council or that the council handles your burial. The cemetery is a separate business or nonprofit that has chosen to meet the council's standards. The council's role is to verify and list certified cemeteries, not to operate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be buried at a Green Burial Council certified cemetery if I want a traditional casket and embalming?

No. Certified cemeteries require biodegradable caskets and do not allow chemical embalming. If you want a traditional burial, you need a conventional cemetery. Some traditional cemeteries have green sections where you can choose green burial practices, but these sections are not Green Burial Council certified.

How long does it take a body to decompose in a green burial?

Decomposition depends on soil type, moisture, temperature, and other environmental factors. In most conditions, a body in a biodegradable casket takes several years to fully decompose. The Green Burial Council does not publish a standard timeline because it varies too widely by location.

Can I pre-plan and pay for a green burial plot now?

Yes. Most cemeteries allow you to purchase a plot in advance and may offer a payment plan. Get everything in writing, including the plot location, cost, and what is included in the price. Ask whether the cemetery is financially stable and what happens to your plot if the cemetery closes.

What if there is no certified cemetery within a reasonable distance of me?

You have several options. You can travel to a certified cemetery if you choose. You can look for a traditional cemetery that allows green burial practices, even if it is not certified. You can also explore other options like natural burial on private land (where legal) or cremation. A funeral director familiar with green burial can discuss what is available in your area.

Is a green burial more environmentally friendly than cremation?

Both have environmental trade-offs. Green burial uses no fuel and returns the body to the earth. Cremation uses energy but takes up no land. The Green Burial Council does not rank one as better than the other; the choice depends on your values and what matters most to you.