Embalming vs. Natural Burial

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What is a “Green Burial?”

As the name suggests, a green, or “natural,” burial emphasizes an environmentally sustainable burial. This type of burial, which is fairly simple and relatively inexpensive.

The purpose of a green burial is to allow the body to decompose naturally.  As such, the burial occurs with as few impediments as possible: the body is not prepared with any chemicals (such as embalming fluids) nor is the body cremated.  Instead, it is placed inside an environmentally-friendly casket, coffin, or shroud, and is buried directly in the in the gravesite without a concrete vault.   

Green burials have gained popularity in recent years due in part to their low impact on the environment and overall simplicity.  However, this burial practice has been around for centuries and are common amongst Jewish and Muslim communities.

Why Choose a Green Burial?

Many people prefer this method of burial for several reasons:

• Religious Purposes: Many Jewish and Muslim customs align with the requirements of a green burial.
• Environmental Factors: Many people wish to for their departure to impose a minimal impact on the environment. Green burials help conserve resources – this burial method simply requires fewer materials such as wood, steel, and concrete. Green burials also eliminate the need for harmful chemicals and assist in preserving (and even restoring) the burial area.
• Reconnecting with Nature: Many people opt for a natural burial and find peace in knowing their body will soon be one with the earth.
• Simplicity: Wrapping a body in a shroud, or blanket, and being placed in a simple casket or coffin, usually made from pine wood, is ideal for people who prefer a simple exit from the physical world.
• Cost: Due to their simple nature, green burials tend to be inexpensive. Green burials eliminate such expenditures as embalming, extravagant burial containers and concrete vaults.

How to Find a Green Cemetery

In 1998, the first green cemetery opened in the United States. Since then, around sixty more have opened. Also, many cemeteries have a designated section for green burials. For more information on where to find green cemeteries, the New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy has compiled a list of green cemeteries by state. For more information, click here. 

Some of the more conservation-oriented green cemeteries help preserve the land by eliminating the use of potentially harmful materials such as pesticides, herbicides, and even some types of fertilizer. Many green cemeteries have restrictions in terms of the materials allowed to be used in burying a loved one. Caskets, coffins, and shrouds are usually limited to those made of natural materials – these materials are biodegradable and non-toxic. Moreover, most green cemeteries exclude bodies which have been embalmed or cremated, and gravesites which include a concrete vault. Most green cemeteries aim to preserve the natural environment in which the plot is in. This means that there may be restrictions on what can be brought to the gravesite from outside the cemetery such as flowers, balloons, wreaths, and memorabilia. Some green cemeteries even limit the type of material used for headstones.

Other Green Burial Locations

A burial can still be considered “green,” even without having been buried in a designated green cemetery. A burial is considered to be natural by eliminating embalming, using biodegradable containers or shrouds, and opting out of using a concrete vault – some cemeteries require the use of a concrete vault so be sure to inquire about vault usage before purchasing a plot. If no cemetery within close proximity allows for eliminating the use of a vault, request that holes be drilled at the bottom of the concrete vault, or that the vault be inverted, so the body can return to nature.

Home burial is another option for a green burial – check to see if your state allows for a home burial and that the property is suitable for one as well.

Green Funeral Services

Funeral directors are increasingly beginning to offer services for green burials. Although the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has not developed legal guidelines for funeral homes and cemeteries offering green burials, many offer green burials as a burial option. If you are interested in a green burial, consult the funeral home's General Price List (GPL), which lays out all the goods and services offered by the home.

Many funeral homes that offer green services are certified to do with a Green Funeral Practices Certificate by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). For more information on this program, click here.

Another great resource is the Green Burial Council, which offers a list of legally certified in providing such green services such as all-natural body preservation, body restoration and viewing.

For information regarding locations of hybrid burial grounds (a traditional cemetery which allows for burials with any type of burial container or without an outer container), click here.

For information regarding locations of natural burial grounds (a cemetery which does not allow for outer burial containers, any burial containers which are not made from natural materials, and bodies which have gone through the embalming process), click here. 

For information regarding locations of conservation burial grounds (a cemetery which follows the rules of a natural burial ground but is also run by either the government or a nonprofit conservation organization), click here. 

What is the Cost of a Green Burial?

While opting for a green burial may help save money when it comes to funeral services and procedures, green cemeteries may charge more for a plot than a traditional cemetery. It is important to note that prices will vary by location and type of plot – within the green cemetery, the price will most likely be less for the burial of cremated remains than a full body burial – so make sure to understand the cemetery’s burial options and prices.

Many funeral homes charge more for a natural burial service than a traditional one. These prices for a green burial may even be higher than that for a direct burial, which is very similar to a green burial. Make sure to compare prices of different funeral homes, or even the different services provided within a single funeral home, in order to ensure that a fair price is being charged.

Providing a casket or coffin from a third-party will most likely help reduce the costs of a green burial even further – by law, any provided casket or coffin must be accepted by a funeral home. Many casket types are appropriate for a green burial – cardboard, wicker, or wood are acceptable materials. Wooden caskets, especially those of Pine, tend to be the most popular choice. Titan Casket offers high-quality caskets and coffins suitable for green burials. To see Titan Casket's eco-friendly selection, click here. 

Another burial option is to wrap a loved one with a blanket, or shroud, made from degradable materials, such as wool and cotton.

What is a “Traditional Burial?”

The definition of a “traditional burial,” has changed a lot over time. Today, it usually means the use of funeral home and public cemetery, embalming services, and a casket burial inside a concrete vault.

What is Embalming?

Embalming is a process which pumps embalming fluids into a body to extend the length of time it is preserved. Embalming is preferred when a body must be transported, when a body is needed for medical or scientific purposes, or when a funeral service involves a display of a departed loved one.

Is Embalming Required?

Embalming is very rarely a legal obligation however funeral homes are legally required by the FTC to make it clear that embalming is not a legal requirement (with the exception of very particular circumstances such as a body being transported over specific state lines by a certain mode of transportation).

Embalming is a traditional funeral practice in the United States and Canada – not many people tend to question the process as it is usually required by funeral homes if a viewing of the body is involved in a funeral service.

Embalming has no religious roots – it is neither encouraged or discouraged in some religions such as Christianity. However, in other religions such as Islam and Judaism, it is forbidden.

Embalming has no particular public health benefit, although in the past, morticians were taught that it was a measure taken to protect the public. In fact, embalming chemicals are so toxic that any one performing the procedure is required to wear protective gear such as a respirator and a full-body suit.

Why is Embalming so Popular?

The funeral industry often promotes the embalming process in the context of viewings. Viewings are often encouraged by desired by families and encouraged by funeral homes as to assist the living in saying goodbye to the departed, providing closure and piece. Embalming slows the breakdown of organic materials so that the body appears more recognizable and less devastating when viewed

What Does Embalming Do for the Body?

Embalming is not a preservation method with permanent results – it merely delays decomposition of organic materials. The rate of decomposition will various factors such as the strength of the embalming fluids used and environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, burial container, etc. No matter if a body gone through the embalming process, temperature is the dominant factor when it comes to the rate of decomposition.

Embalming Alternatives

The practice of embalming is by no means a natural practice – it is preferred by many, but is absolutely a nonessential part of the farewell process.

Many home, or private, viewings are often done without embalming.

If the state of the body is a concern, funeral homes offer direct and immediate burial – a body does not have to be kept or viewed, it can be simply immediately placed in a grave or cremated without any embalming or preservation.

Another technique used to slow down body decomposition is refrigeration. Refrigeration is often used to maintain a body while awaiting burial or cremation. Be sure to check if a chosen funeral home is equipped for preservation by refrigeration. If not, check out hospitals or third-party services in the local area.