What Greensprings Natural Cemetery is and who runs it

Greensprings Natural Cemetery is a burial ground in Ithaca, New York, operated by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. It is one of the few conservation burial grounds in the northeastern United States. Unlike traditional cemeteries, Greensprings does not allow embalming, vaults, or headstones. Instead, burials happen in a meadow and woodland setting, with the land itself protected as a nature preserve in perpetuity.

The cemetery sits on 152 acres. After burial, the land remains undeveloped and is managed for native plants and wildlife. Families mark graves with natural stone or plantings rather than conventional monuments. The Finger Lakes Land Trust, a nonprofit organization, holds a conservation easement on the property, which means the land cannot be sold or developed for other uses.

Greensprings accepts both full-body burials and cremated remains. The cemetery is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. You do not need to be a member of any organization or religion to be buried there.

Key Takeaways

  • Greensprings Natural Cemetery is located in Ithaca, New York, and operated by the Finger Lakes Land Trust as a conservation burial ground.
  • The cemetery does not permit embalming, concrete vaults, or traditional headstones; graves are marked with natural stone or plantings instead.
  • Both full-body burials and cremated remains are accepted, and the land is protected as a nature preserve under a conservation easement.
  • Costs and current availability vary, so contacting the cemetery directly is necessary to learn about current pricing and plot status.
  • Greensprings is open to people of all faiths and does not require membership or religious affiliation.

What happens during a burial at Greensprings

When a burial takes place, the body is placed directly in the ground in a biodegradable casket or shroud. No embalming fluid is used. The grave is dug by hand or machine, and the body is lowered into the earth without a concrete vault or liner. This allows the body to decompose naturally and return nutrients to the soil.

The ceremony itself follows whatever format the family chooses. Some families hold traditional funeral services at Greensprings; others hold services elsewhere and bring the body to the cemetery for burial only. The Finger Lakes Land Trust does not dictate the religious or secular nature of the service.

After burial, the grave is covered with soil and native plants or wildflowers. Families may place a flat natural stone marker at ground level, or they may plant a tree or shrub to mark the spot. No upright monuments, fences, or artificial decorations are permitted. This approach keeps the landscape open and allows the cemetery to function as a working nature preserve.

Casket and burial requirements

Your casket or burial container must be biodegradable. Acceptable options include wooden caskets, cardboard caskets, wicker baskets, or cloth shrouds. The container must decompose within a reasonable timeframe so that the body can return to the soil. Metal caskets, fiberglass, and plastic are not permitted.

If you are planning a burial at Greensprings, you will need to source your own casket or shroud. Funeral homes in the Ithaca area are familiar with natural burial practices and can help you find a biodegradable option. Some funeral homes stock them; others can order them. Costs for biodegradable caskets typically range lower than traditional caskets, though prices vary by provider and material.

The cemetery does not require a concrete vault or grave liner. This is one of the key differences from traditional cemeteries. The absence of a vault means lower costs and faster decomposition, which aligns with the conservation mission of the cemetery.

Costs and plot availability

Greensprings charges a plot fee for burial space. The exact cost depends on whether you choose a woodland plot, a meadow plot, or a cremation plot, as these areas have different pricing. The cemetery also charges a burial or interment fee when the actual burial takes place. Additional fees may explore for grave opening, closing, or other services.

Because Greensprings is a conservation cemetery with limited space, plots are not always when ready available. The cemetery may have a waiting list during busy periods. You can contact the Finger Lakes Land Trust directly to ask about current availability and pricing. They can also explain payment options and whether you can reserve a plot in advance.

Compared to traditional cemeteries, natural burial at Greensprings is often less expensive overall because you avoid the cost of a vault, embalming, and a conventional monument. However, you will still need to pay for the plot, burial services, and a casket or shroud.

How to contact Greensprings and plan ahead

To learn about burial at Greensprings, contact the Finger Lakes Land Trust. You can reach them by phone or through their website. They can answer questions about availability, pricing, the burial process, and what to bring or arrange on the day of burial.

If you are interested in a burial at Greensprings for yourself or a family member, it is helpful to contact them before a death occurs. This gives you time to understand the process, discuss options with your family, and make arrangements without time pressure. The cemetery can explain what paperwork is needed and what your funeral home will need to know.

You do not need to live in New York to be buried at Greensprings. Families from other states have arranged burials there. However, you will need to coordinate with a funeral home or burial service that can transport the body and handle the logistics of an out-of-state burial.

Natural burial versus traditional cemetery burial

The main difference between Greensprings and a traditional cemetery is what happens to the land and the body after burial. In a traditional cemetery, graves are marked with monuments, the ground is mowed regularly, and the land is maintained as a manicured landscape. At Greensprings, the land is allowed to return to meadow and forest, and graves blend into the natural setting.

Natural burial also means no embalming, no vault, and no chemical preservation. The body decomposes naturally, which some people view as more environmentally sound and aligned with their values. For others, natural burial is a spiritual or religious choice. For still others, it is straightforward a lower-cost option.

Greensprings is not the only natural cemetery in the United States, but it is one of the few in the Northeast. If you are interested in natural burial, you may want to compare Greensprings with other conservation cemeteries in your region or nearby states to understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be buried at Greensprings if I live out of state?

Yes. Families from other states have arranged burials at Greensprings. You will need to work with a funeral home or burial service to transport the body and coordinate the logistics. Contact the Finger Lakes Land Trust to discuss how to proceed.

What if I want to be cremated instead of buried?

Greensprings accepts cremated remains. You can scatter ashes on the property, or you can have the ashes buried in a cremation plot. The cemetery can explain the options and costs for each.

Can I have a traditional funeral service at Greensprings?

Yes. Families can hold a funeral service at the cemetery before or after burial. You can also hold a service elsewhere and bring the body to Greensprings for burial only. The cemetery does not dictate the format or religious nature of the service.

Is there a waiting list to be buried at Greensprings?

Availability varies. During busy periods, there may be a waiting list. Contact the Finger Lakes Land Trust to ask about current availability and whether you can reserve a plot in advance.

What kind of marker can I place on a grave?

Graves are marked with flat natural stone, plantings, or trees. Upright monuments, fences, and artificial decorations are not permitted. The goal is to keep the landscape open and natural.