A traditional American burial pumps embalming chemicals into the body, seals it in a metal casket, places that casket inside a concrete vault, and buries the whole thing in a manicured lawn that requires constant mowing, watering, and pesticide treatment. If that doesn't sound right to you, you're not alone. Green burial strips all of that away and lets the body return to the earth naturally — the way humans were buried for thousands of years before the modern funeral industry existed.
What Is Green Burial?
Green burial is burial designed to have the least environmental impact possible.
No embalming. The body is not treated with formaldehyde-based embalming fluid. Instead, the body is kept refrigerated until burial (usually within 24-72 hours) or prepared with non-toxic, biodegradable alternatives.
No metal or hardwood casket. The body is placed in a biodegradable container — wicker, bamboo, unfinished pine, recycled cardboard, or simply a shroud (a cloth wrapping). All of these decompose naturally.
No concrete vault. Traditional cemeteries require a concrete or metal vault to prevent the ground from sinking. Green burial skips this entirely — the earth is allowed to settle naturally.
No manicured cemetery. Green burial cemeteries (also called conservation cemeteries or natural burial grounds) look more like meadows or forests than traditional cemeteries. Graves are marked with flat native stones, GPS coordinates, or trees — not polished granite headstones.
The body decomposes naturally. That's the point. The body nourishes the soil, which feeds the plants, which support the ecosystem. It's the oldest and most natural form of burial on earth.
What Green Burial Is NOT
Some common misconceptions:
It's not being buried in your backyard (in most states). Home burial laws vary by state. In West Virginia, home burial IS legal on private property with proper permitting and setback requirements, but you should consult your county health department first.
It's not illegal. Green burial is legal in all 50 states. No state requires embalming (except in certain circumstances like transporting across state lines). No state requires a vault.
It's not unsanitary. A body buried directly in the earth at proper depth poses no public health risk. Bodies decompose — that's biology, not a hazard.
It's not only for hippies. Green burial is chosen by environmentalists, religious families (many faiths mandate simple, natural burial), budget-conscious families, and people who simply don't want to be pumped full of chemicals and sealed in a box.
It's not the same as cremation. Green burial is BURIAL — the body goes into the ground. Green cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) is a separate eco-friendly option that uses water instead of flame.
How Much Does Green Burial Cost?
| Item | Green Burial | Traditional Burial |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming | $0 (not done) | $700-$800 |
| Casket | $200-$2,000 (biodegradable) | $2,000-$10,000 (metal/hardwood) |
| Burial vault | $0 (not used) | $1,300-$5,000 |
| Cemetery plot | $500-$4,000 | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Headstone | $0-$500 (natural marker) | $1,000-$5,000 (polished granite) |
| Funeral home services | $1,500-$2,500 | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Total | $2,000-$4,000 | $8,000-$15,000+ |
Green burial saves 50-75% compared to a traditional funeral. The savings come from three places: no embalming, no expensive casket, and no vault. These three items alone account for $4,000-$15,000 in a traditional burial.
Green Burial Costs $2,000-$4,000. Make Sure Your Family Doesn't Pay.
Even eco-friendly burial has costs. Final expense insurance covers them — plans start at $30/month with no medical exam.
Get a Free Quote: 1-855-321-3094Learn about final expense insurance →
Ad · Licensed advisors · We may earn a referral fee
How Green Burial Works — Step by Step
Step 1: The body is NOT embalmed. Instead, it's kept refrigerated at the funeral home (or at home with dry ice) until burial. Most green burials happen within 24-72 hours of death — faster than traditional funerals.
Step 2: The body is prepared simply. Washed and dressed in natural-fiber clothing (cotton, linen, wool). No synthetic fabrics. Some families wash and dress the body themselves as a final act of care.
Step 3: Placed in a biodegradable container. Options range from a simple cotton shroud ($50-$200) to a wicker basket ($300-$800) to an unfinished pine casket ($500-$2,000). All decompose naturally in the soil.
Step 4: A funeral or graveside service (optional). You can have a full funeral, a simple graveside gathering, or nothing at all. Green burial doesn't mean no ceremony — it means the burial itself is natural. The service is whatever you want it to be.
Step 5: Burial at a green cemetery. The grave is hand-dug (no heavy machinery in some conservation cemeteries). The depth is typically 3.5-4 feet (shallower than traditional burial) to encourage natural decomposition in the aerobic soil zone. The casket or shrouded body is lowered into the grave.
Step 6: The grave is filled and marked naturally. Soil is returned to the grave. A flat native stone, a tree, a wildflower planting, or GPS coordinates mark the location. No polished headstone.
Step 7: Nature takes over. The body decomposes within months to a few years, nourishing the soil. The gravesite gradually blends into the surrounding landscape.
Alkaline Hydrolysis (Water Cremation)
Not quite burial, not quite cremation — alkaline hydrolysis is the newest green option, and it's legal in West Virginia as of 2022.
How it works. The body is placed in a stainless-steel vessel with water and a potassium hydroxide solution. Over 6-12 hours, the process accelerates natural decomposition using gentle water flow and alkaline chemistry. What remains are bone fragments (processed into a powder, like cremation) and a sterile liquid that can be safely returned to the water system.
Environmental impact. Uses 90% less energy than flame cremation. Produces no direct carbon emissions. No mercury released (from dental fillings). The liquid byproduct is sterile and nutrient-rich.
Availability in WV. West Virginia legalized alkaline hydrolysis in 2022 (HB 4647). Burnside Funeral Home in Bridgeport is one of the few WV providers currently offering it.
Cost. Comparable to traditional cremation — typically $2,000-$4,000. Pricing is still emerging as availability grows.
What you receive. Bone fragments processed into a fine powder, similar to cremated remains but approximately 20-30% more in volume. Returned to the family in an urn or container of your choice.
Alkaline hydrolysis is the option for people who want cremation's simplicity but with a significantly lower environmental footprint.
Conservation Cemeteries
A conservation cemetery isn't just a place to be buried — it's a permanently protected piece of land.
What makes them different. Conservation cemeteries are legally protected natural lands. Burial fees fund the permanent conservation of the property — including forest, wetland, or meadow habitat. Your burial directly funds land preservation.
No traditional markers. Graves are marked with GPS coordinates, flat native stones, or memorial trees. The landscape looks like a forest or meadow, not a cemetery.
Limited availability. There are currently about 100-150 certified green burial cemeteries in the United States, with more opening each year. The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org) maintains a directory.
The closest to WV. Conservation cemeteries near West Virginia include options in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. As of 2026, WV does not have a certified conservation cemetery, but some traditional cemeteries may accommodate green burials on a case-by-case basis — ask your local funeral home.
Green Cremation Options
If burial isn't your preference but you still want an eco-friendly option:
Alkaline hydrolysis
Water-based cremation (see above). Lowest carbon footprint. Legal in WV since 2022.
Bio cremation / resomation
Similar to alkaline hydrolysis. Different brand names for essentially the same process.
Traditional cremation with eco choices
Standard flame cremation but with a biodegradable urn, scattering in nature, or using the remains for a memorial tree or reef.
Human composting (natural organic reduction)
The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials and transformed into nutrient-rich soil over 30-45 days. Legal in a growing number of states. NOT yet legal in West Virginia as of 2026.
What You Can (and Can't) Legally Skip
Many people don't realize how much of a traditional funeral is OPTIONAL.
| Item | Required by law? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming | No (in any state) | Only required in rare cases (long-distance transport, extended time before burial). No state mandates embalming. |
| Casket | No | A simple container or shroud is sufficient. Funeral homes cannot require you to purchase a casket. |
| Vault | No (by law) | Some CEMETERIES require vaults, but no state law does. Green cemeteries don't require them. |
| Funeral director | Varies | Most states require a funeral director to file paperwork. In WV, a licensed funeral director must sign the death certificate. |
| Cemetery | No | Home burial is legal in WV on private property with proper permits and setback requirements. |
The funeral industry sometimes presents optional services as required. They're not. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give you an itemized price list and cannot require you to purchase services you don't want.
How to Find a Green Cemetery
1. Check the Green Burial Council directory at greenburialcouncil.org. They certify cemeteries at three levels: Hybrid (allows some green burials), Natural (dedicated green section), and Conservation (permanently protected land).
2. Ask your local funeral home. Even if they don't specialize in green burial, they may know which nearby cemeteries accept vault-free burial and biodegradable caskets.
3. Call local cemeteries directly. Ask: "Do you allow burial without a vault? Do you accept biodegradable caskets or shroud burials?" Some traditional cemeteries will accommodate green burials even without formal certification.
4. Consider home burial. In WV, burial on private property is legal with proper permits. Consult your county health department for specific requirements.
In West Virginia, Chapman Funeral Home in Hurricane has a dedicated green burial merchandise showroom — one of the few in the state.
Green Burial Planning Checklist
Estate planning to document your wishes →