Frequently Asked Questions
Is green burial legal?
Yes! There are no laws in any state that require embalming or the use of concrete vaults in a cemetery.
Won’t decomposing bodies contaminate the groundwater?
No. Green burials need only to be dug to a depth of 3.5 feet. Groundwater is found at depths far deeper than this - anywhere from 50 to 75 feet below the surface. The soil itself acts as a natural filter. A naturally decomposing body is far less of a threat to groundwater than all the failing septic systems, run off, and pollutants that are absorbed into the ground every day.
What about streams and wells?
Green burial grounds are created with mandatory setbacks from water sources according to state and local regulations.
Won’t animals dig up the bodies? Won’t there be a smell?
No. At 3.5 feet below the ground, natural burials are deep enough to create a smell barrier. If the animals can’t smell the bodies, then neither can we.
What are the 3 different kinds of green cemeteries?
A hybrid cemetery is one that allows both modern burial and green burial. The two sections in a hybrid cemetery are typically separate.
A natural burial ground is one that only offers green burial.
A conservation burial ground is one that combines the services of a natural burial ground with the added bonus of land conservation on a larger scale through the participation of an established conservation organization.
How are graves marked?
It depends. In some green cemeteries, graves are marked with a natural stone that lays flat on the ground and is painted or engraved with the deceased’s information. Some green cemeteries do not allow grave markers, but have a central wall or memorial where the names of all the people buried there are engraved.
Can green cemeteries reuse the burial plots?
The reuse of plots is possible, though the practice is not as common in the US as it is in other countries. In the US, plots are typically reused within families though, in the future, it is possible that some cemeteries would offer the option of grave reuse for non-family members after 30-50 years.
Where is green burial available?
Green Burial is available in cemeteries that offer it. To see a list of green cemeteries in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland, click on this link here: https://greenburialpa.org/directory-1
How much does green burial cost?
The price of green burial is typically less expensive than modern burial. That being said, most people will use the services of a funeral director to assist with the transportation and refrigeration of the body after death, and to file the death certificate and other paperwork. The cost of these services can be significant but vary from funeral home to funeral home. For a directory of Green Burial Council certified funeral homes in Pennsylvania, click this link:
https://greenburialpa.org/directory-1-2
In addition, every cemetery has its own prices for plots and interment fees and prices vary there as well depending on where the cemetery is located and what kind of a cemetery it is. (e.g.- non-profit, church affiliated, or municipal, just to name a few.) Please reach out to the cemeteries that offer green burial directly to find out their pricing and fees. Here’s a link to green cemeteries in the mid-Atlantic:
https://greenburialpa.org/directory-1
Many thanks to the Green Burial Council for the information provided in these frequently asked questions.