What Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery offers
Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery is a green burial ground located in Iredell County, North Carolina, near Statesville. It operates as a conservation cemetery, meaning the land is managed to support native plants and wildlife while serving as a burial space. Bodies are buried without vaults, embalming, or concrete liners — the remains return directly to the soil, and the cemetery itself remains undeveloped forest.
The cemetery is owned and operated by Herland Forest Inc., a nonprofit organization. Unlike conventional cemeteries with rows of headstones and manicured lawns, Herland Forest uses natural markers — typically flat stones or GPS coordinates — so the landscape stays wooded. The site is open to the public for walking and reflection, and the burial process is designed to have minimal environmental impact.
Key Takeaways
- Herland Forest is a conservation cemetery in North Carolina where bodies are buried without embalming, vaults, or concrete liners, allowing natural decomposition.
- The cemetery uses flat stones or GPS markers instead of traditional headstones, keeping the landscape as native forest.
- Burial plots are priced lower than conventional cemetery options, and the land is managed to support native plants and wildlife.
- You can visit the cemetery during daylight hours to walk the grounds and see how the space is maintained.
- Herland Forest accepts both individuals and families, and you can arrange a burial through direct contact with the cemetery office.
How burial works at Herland Forest
When someone is buried at Herland Forest, the body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud — no metal, plastic, or treated wood. No embalming is performed unless the family chooses it for viewing purposes before the service. The grave is dug by hand or machine to a depth of at least three feet, and the body is lowered directly into the earth without a vault or concrete liner.
The cemetery staff handle the logistics of grave preparation and burial. Families can hold a service at the graveside, and many choose to plant a native tree or shrub at the burial location as a living memorial. After burial, the grave is marked with a flat stone flush to the ground or recorded by GPS coordinates so the location can be found later.
The decomposition process happens naturally in the soil, without the barriers that slow it in conventional burials. Over time, the body returns nutrients to the earth and supports the growth of the forest ecosystem around it.
Costs and what they cover
Herland Forest charges a per-plot fee for burial space, which is typically lower than conventional cemetery plots because the land does not require the same level of maintenance and infrastructure. The exact current price varies, so contacting the cemetery directly is necessary to learn the current rate.
The plot fee covers the right to be buried in that location and basic grave preparation. It does not include a casket, shroud, or funeral service — those are arranged separately through a funeral home or directly with family. Some families choose to plant a memorial tree, which may have an additional cost depending on the species and size.
Because Herland Forest is a nonprofit, any revenue goes toward land stewardship, habitat restoration, and maintaining the cemetery grounds. There are no ongoing maintenance fees or perpetual care charges that some conventional cemeteries require.
Who can be buried at Herland Forest
Herland Forest accepts individuals of any age, background, or belief system. There are no religious restrictions, and the cemetery welcomes people who choose natural burial for environmental, spiritual, or personal reasons. Families can arrange burial for a single person or purchase multiple plots for family members.
The cemetery does not require that you live in North Carolina or have any prior connection to the area. You can contact them to reserve a plot before death, or family members can arrange burial after someone passes. Some people purchase plots in advance as part of their end-of-life planning.
The land and how it is managed
Herland Forest sits on forested acreage in Iredell County and is managed as a conservation area. The nonprofit works to restore and maintain native plant species, create habitat for wildlife, and keep the land undeveloped. Burials are dispersed throughout the forest rather than concentrated in rows, so the canopy and understory remain largely intact.
The cemetery is open to the public during daylight hours for walking, reflection, and nature observation. Visitors can see how the forest functions as both a burial ground and a living ecosystem. The nonprofit may also host educational events or guided walks to explain the conservation work happening on the land.
How to contact Herland Forest and plan ahead
To learn current pricing, reserve a plot, or ask questions about the burial process, you can contact Herland Forest directly by phone or mail. The cemetery office can answer questions about casket options, grave preparation, memorial trees, and scheduling a burial service.
Many people contact Herland Forest as part of advance planning — deciding where they want to be buried and securing a plot before the need arises. This gives families time to understand the process and make decisions without time pressure. You can also visit the cemetery in person to walk the grounds and see the landscape.
How Herland Forest compares to other burial options
Natural burial cemeteries like Herland Forest differ from conventional cemeteries in several ways. Conventional cemeteries typically require vaults, use chemical embalming, and maintain manicured lawns with upright headstones. Herland Forest skips the vault and embalming (unless chosen for viewing), uses flat markers or GPS, and keeps the land as forest.
Cremation is another option that some people choose for environmental or financial reasons — it costs less than burial and takes up no land. However, cremation uses fuel and produces emissions, whereas natural burial at Herland Forest returns the body to the soil with no processing. Home burial (where legal) is the lowest-cost option but requires private land and may not be permitted in your county.
Conventional burial in a cemetery with a vault and headstone typically costs more than natural burial because of the materials, maintenance, and perpetual care fees. Natural burial avoids those costs and the environmental impact of concrete, metal, and chemical embalming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be buried at Herland Forest if I am not from North Carolina?
Yes. Herland Forest does not require you to live in the state or have any prior connection to the area. You can contact them to reserve a plot from anywhere, and your family can arrange the burial after you pass. A funeral home can coordinate the transport and service logistics.
What happens if I want to be buried in a traditional casket?
Herland Forest requires caskets to be biodegradable — typically wood with no metal hardware, or cardboard. Metal caskets and vaults are not permitted because they slow decomposition and conflict with the conservation mission. A funeral home can help you find a casket that meets these requirements.
Can I visit the cemetery before I decide?
Yes. Herland Forest is open to the public during daylight hours, and you can walk the grounds to see how the forest is managed and how burials are marked. Visiting in person often helps families understand whether natural burial feels right for them.
Do I have to buy a plot in advance, or can my family arrange it after I die?
You can do either. Some people purchase a plot as part of their end-of-life planning so their family knows where they want to be buried. Others leave it to their family to arrange after death. Contact Herland Forest to discuss what works best for your situation.
What if I want to plant a memorial tree at my burial site?
Herland Forest encourages memorial trees and native plantings. You can discuss tree options with the cemetery staff when you arrange the burial. The cost and availability of specific species may vary, so ask about what is available when you contact them.