Green burial
Also called: Natural burial
Burial without embalming, without a metal or hardwood casket, and without a concrete vault — designed to let the body decompose into the soil naturally.
Green burial is legal in all 50 US states, but most conventional cemeteries require vaults that defeat the point. About 350 US cemeteries are certified as green or hybrid (allowing green burials in a defined section). The Green Burial Council maintains the certification list.
A green burial uses a biodegradable container — a plain pine box, a wicker casket, a cotton shroud — and skips embalming. Refrigeration handles preservation between death and burial. Graves are usually shallower than conventional graves to support decomposition.
Typical 2026 cost: $1,500–$4,000 all-in, depending on the cemetery and whether a memorial service is included. Less than half the cost of a traditional funeral.
- Embalming— A chemical process that temporarily preserves the body, used mainly to allow a viewing several days after death. Not required by law in most situations.
- Vault— A concrete or metal box placed in the grave around the casket. Required by most cemeteries (not by state law) to keep the ground from settling as the casket decomposes.
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
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