Short answer: Green burial skips embalming chemicals and concrete vaults and uses a biodegradable container. Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) uses water and alkali instead of flame. Availability depends on state law and local providers, so ask providers directly and look for independent certification.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules vary by state; confirm details with a licensed professional.
What are the greener choices?
People look at greener options for different reasons: environmental impact, simplicity, or a closer connection to nature. The terms are used loosely, so ask any provider to explain exactly what they mean.
- Green or natural burial: burial without embalming chemicals, with a shroud or biodegradable casket, in a cemetery that permits it and often without a concrete vault.
- Water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis: a process using water, heat and alkali that leaves bone fragments, returned like cremated remains.
- Natural organic reduction: a process that transforms the person's body into soil. It is legal in a limited but growing number of states.
How do the options compare?
| Option | How it works | Availability | Ask about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green burial | No embalming chemicals, biodegradable container, often no vault | Many areas have at least one cemetery; others have none | Cemetery rules for markers and containers |
| Flame cremation | Heat reduces the person's body to remains | Widely available | Crematory, container and timing |
| Water cremation | Water and alkali dissolve soft tissue | Legal in a number of states, not all | Whether the provider has equipment and what it costs |
| Natural organic reduction | Body is converted to soil over weeks | Legal in only some states | Where it is offered and what happens to the soil |
State law changes. Confirm the current status with your state funeral board or a local provider before you commit.
What drives the cost of a greener option?
- Provider or cemetery that offers itFewer providers can mean fewer price comparisons.
- Distance to the facilityTransport may be longer if no local provider offers it.
- Plot or burial ground fee
- Shroud or biodegradable container
- Basic services fee and paperwork
- Marker rulesNatural burial grounds often limit marker type or size.
Do not assume a green option is cheaper. It can be, since there is no vault or embalming, but prices vary. Compare itemized totals.
How do I verify that something is truly green?
- Look for independent certification. The Green Burial Council certifies burial grounds, funeral homes and products.
- Ask what is prohibited: embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, non-biodegradable containers.
- Ask what the cemetery will do with the land long term.
- Ask for the same itemized price list that any funeral provider must give.
Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule
Funeral providers must give you a General Price List when you ask about arrangements, and accurate prices by phone. You may choose only the goods and services you want, apart from a basic services fee. A provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket bought elsewhere, and a provider that offers cremation must make alternative containers available. This applies to green options too. If a provider says a vault or embalming is required, ask them to cite the law that requires it.
Where can I read more?
- Green burial explained
A plain-language guide to terms and availability.
- Burial and cemetery guide
Plots, vaults and cemetery fees.
- Cremation services
Flame cremation options and process.
Related services
- Traditional funeral services: steps, choices and costsHow a traditional funeral works: visitation, service, procession and burial. What is optional, what drives cost, and your rights when buying a casket.See this service →
- Burial and cemetery guideUnderstand burial options and cemetery terms: plot types, opening and closing, vaults and liners, headstones, perpetual care, and the questions to ask.See this service →
Frequently asked questions
Is green burial legal everywhere?
Burial without embalming is permitted widely, but cemeteries and local rules vary. Ask local cemeteries and your state funeral board.
Is water cremation available near me?
It depends on state law and whether a provider has the equipment. Ask providers in your area directly.
Does green burial mean no casket?
Not always. Some use a shroud and some use a biodegradable casket. Rules differ by cemetery.
Can I be embalmed and still have a green burial?
Many green cemeteries do not allow traditional embalming chemicals. Ask the cemetery what it accepts.
How do I find certified providers?
The Green Burial Council lists certified burial grounds, funeral homes and products on its website.
What is natural organic reduction, sometimes called human composting?
Natural organic reduction is a process that transforms a person's body into soil over several weeks, and it is legal in a limited but growing number of states. The soil may be returned to family or used in conservation projects, depending on the provider. It is not available everywhere, and a family may need to transport the person across state lines. Costs are often comparable to or higher than cremation. What to ask: ask whether it is legal in your state, which providers offer it, what happens to the soil, and what the timeline and total cost will be.
What is green burial?
Green burial is a way of burying a person with minimal environmental impact, using natural, biodegradable materials. It generally means no embalming or only non-toxic methods, a simple shroud or biodegradable casket, and no concrete vault. Some cemeteries are dedicated to natural burial, while others offer a green section. Availability and rules vary by area. What to ask: ask the cemetery whether it follows a recognized natural burial standard, what containers and markers are permitted, and whether graves are marked, since some natural cemeteries use a flat stone, a tree, or GPS records.
Is a burial vault required by law?
In general, no law requires a burial vault, but many cemeteries require one as their own rule. Cemeteries ask for vaults or grave liners so the ground stays level over time, which makes mowing and maintenance easier. If a cemetery requires one, a basic outer burial container usually meets the requirement. Some cemeteries, such as natural burial grounds, do not require one. What to ask: ask the cemetery to show you its written rule, ask whether a simple grave liner satisfies it, and compare prices if you buy from a funeral home or a third-party vault seller.
What is the difference between a grave liner and a burial vault?
A grave liner is a basic concrete cover that keeps the ground from sinking, while a burial vault is a sturdier container that surrounds the casket more fully. Liners are typically the lower-cost option and are often all a cemetery requires. Vaults may be made of concrete, steel, or other materials and may be sold with claims about protection, though neither prevents natural changes over time. What to ask: ask the cemetery which one it requires, and ask the seller to explain in plain terms exactly what the more expensive option adds before you buy it.
How much does a cemetery plot cost?
A cemetery plot can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars in a rural area to many thousands in a major city, so there is no single typical price. Costs depend on location, cemetery type, and the section within the cemetery. Opening and closing fees, a vault or liner, perpetual care, and a marker are usually charged in addition to the plot itself. What to ask: ask the cemetery for a written price list covering every charge, ask whether the plot can be resold, and ask if there are rules about vaults, markers, or the kind of container allowed.
What is the opening and closing fee at a cemetery?
The opening and closing fee, sometimes called an interment fee, is the cemetery's charge for preparing the grave, placing the casket or urn, and closing the grave afterward. It often ranges from several hundred to a few thousand dollars and may cost more on weekends or holidays. It is separate from the cost of the plot itself. Some cemeteries charge less for cremated remains. What to ask: ask what the fee includes, whether weekend or holiday surcharges apply, and whether you owe a separate charge for installing the headstone or marker.
Related searches
Compare itemized prices from local providers
Ask us to find licensed providers near you that offer green or water-based options.