Natural Burial Grounds: Types, Costs, Rules and How to Find One

A natural burial ground is a cemetery where bodies are buried without embalming chemicals, a burial vault or any container that will not break down. You may also hear it called a green cemetery or a woodland burial ground. According to the Funeral Consumers Alliance, a grave at a green cemetery typically costs $1,000 to $4,000. The Green Burial Council (GBC) certifies three types of burial ground, and the cemetery's own rules decide what you can do.

What is a natural burial ground?

A natural burial ground is land set aside for burials that return the body to the soil as directly as possible. The GBC describes green burial as placing an unembalmed body directly in the earth in biodegradable materials. The body is lowered into the grave in a shroud or simple container, and the site is managed as a meadow, woodland or prairie rather than a manicured lawn.

"Natural burial" and "woodland burial" mostly mean the same practice. Woodland burial is a common name in the UK, where a tree often marks the grave. If you are in the UK, see our guide to green burial sites in the UK. The rest of this guide covers the US.

What are the three types of natural burial ground?

The GBC certifies three types of burial ground. They differ in how much of the land is dedicated to natural burial and how well it is protected.

The Conservation Burial Alliance says conservation grounds must operate with a government agency or nonprofit conservation organization that monitors and enforces a permanent easement, and its standards say average density should not exceed 300 burials per acre. Its directory lists just 16 conservation burial grounds in the US, and two of them are no longer taking new burial contracts, so you may need to travel. Our conservation cemetery guide goes into more detail.

The GBC's certification applies to the burial of a body. It does not set standards for flame cremation, aquamation or human composting, and not every cemetery that calls itself "green" or "natural" is certified. See our guide to Green Burial Council standards for how to check.

What rules do natural burial grounds follow?

Rules vary by site, so ask for the written rules before you commit. These are the common ones:

• No burial vault or grave liner. The GBC says vaults are prohibited in green burial cemeteries and containers must be biodegradable.
• Biodegradable containers only. The GBC says containers must be made of plant-derived or natural materials, with no toxic finishes, adhesives or dyes. A shroud, wicker casket or plain wood or cardboard container are typical. See our guides to burial shrouds and eco-friendly caskets.
• No toxic embalming. The GBC says embalming is rarely required by law and is never legally necessary for a viewing, and the FTC says no state law requires routine embalming for every death. Washing, dressing and cooling the body are the usual alternatives.
• Limited markers. The GBC says GPS units, native stone markers or mapping may be used to mark graves, and natural and conservation cemeteries limit markers based on ecological impact. Upright granite monuments are usually not allowed, so ask what is.
• Clothing and keepsakes. Ask whether the site has rules on what the person may wear or be buried with, such as synthetic fabrics or metal items.
• Visiting rules. Ask about leaving flowers, planting or visiting hours, since sites are managed to protect native plants and wildlife.

How much does a natural burial cost?

There is no single price. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) says a grave at a green cemetery typically costs $1,000 to $4,000 for a body and $200 to $1,000 for cremated remains. Funeral home charges are often around $2,000 but can reach $5,000 or more. The GBC says green burial can cost less than, the same as, or more than a conventional funeral, depending on what you choose.

The savings come from what you skip: a vault, embalming and an expensive casket. For comparison, a 2024 survey of 250 Washington funeral homes by People's Memorial Association found full-service burial averaged $6,584, with a range of $1,690 to $26,015. That is one state, not a national figure. Conservation sites may charge more because part of the fee supports land protection.

Ask any funeral home for its General Price List. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give you one and says you can choose only the items you want.

What happens, step by step?

1. Choose the burial ground. Ask about availability, rules, fees and which funeral homes it works with. Our guide to finding a green burial cemetery lists where to look.
2. Plan the body's care. With no embalming, the body is usually kept cool. The GBC says the time before preservation is needed is typically 24 to 72 hours, and state law may set limits. The Home Funeral Alliance lists dry ice, polymer cooling packs and gel packs as options, and says air conditioning may be enough for less than 24 hours at home. See our guides to cooling the body at home and viewings without embalming.
3. Choose a shroud or container. Check the cemetery's accepted materials first. The FCA says most green cemeteries require biodegradable, non-toxic materials.
4. Hold the service. Many families hold a graveside gathering, with a viewing or service beforehand somewhere else. The site may be outdoors, with uneven ground, so ask about access, seating and weather.
5. The burial. The GBC describes about 3.5 to 4 feet as the ideal depth, with at least 18 inches of soil covering the grave. Ask whether family members may help lower the body or fill the grave.
6. Marking and visiting. Ask how the grave will be recorded and how you will find it later. GPS records and flat stones are common.

Is natural burial safe for the water and the land?

The GBC says drinking water is typically about 75 feet below the surface, so burials at 3.5 feet do not pose a risk. It also says the soil cover forms a smell barrier for animals. If you have concerns about a specific property, ask the operator about local setback rules and how the land was assessed.

Common questions before you decide

Does a funeral home have to accept a shroud or plain container? The FCA says a funeral director is required by law to accept any appropriate container you provide, without extra fees, and that most green cemeteries require biodegradable, non-toxic materials. Always confirm with both the funeral home and the cemetery.

Is a viewing possible? Yes. The GBC says embalming is never legally necessary for viewing. Many families hold a viewing with the body kept cool.

What about a conventional cemetery with no green section? The FCA says you can make any burial greener by skipping embalming and using a biodegradable container. Where a vault is required, the FCA suggests asking for an open-bottom concrete grave box or a vault with holes drilled in the bottom. A true natural burial ground is usually the better fit if the goal is to avoid vaults.

How do I compare sites? Visit if you can, and ask who owns and maintains the land, what happens if the cemetery closes, and how graves are recorded. Our guide to choosing a cemetery has more questions to ask.

What to do next

1. Search the GBC and Conservation Burial Alliance directories for sites within driving distance, then call two or three.
2. Ask each for its rules, price list and accepted materials in writing.
3. Ask a local funeral home whether it does natural burial, and request its General Price List.
4. Write down your wishes and tell your family. Our guide to green burial can help with planning, and green burial vs traditional burial compares the two.