GBC-Certified Green Burial Cemeteries in Arkansas (2026): List, Map & What Certification Means

When a family starts looking into green burial, the first question usually sounds simple: “Where can we do this in Arkansas?” But the question underneath is more practical—and, honestly, more emotional. Families want to choose a goodbye that feels aligned with nature without stumbling into surprise rules about vaults, embalming, or what a cemetery will (and won’t) allow. That’s where Green Burial Council certification can help, because it turns a vague label like “green” into standards you can actually ask about, compare, and confirm.

This guide focuses on GBC certified cemetery Arkansas options that appear in the Green Burial Council’s provider tools, explains what each certification level is designed to guarantee, and walks you through the questions that prevent last-minute stress. And because funeral planning rarely stays on one track, we’ll also connect the dots to other choices families often consider—like cremation urns, cremation jewelry, and what to do if you’re keeping ashes at home for a while before deciding on a final placement.

What Green Burial Council certification means (and why it matters in real life)

The Green Burial Council is a nonprofit that sets standards and certifies providers so families can distinguish between different “green” cemetery models and know there is some level of transparency and third-party oversight behind the claim. The GBC explains that certification is meant to help consumers understand that each cemetery type has a different set of standards and expectations—not just marketing language. According to the Green Burial Council, that clarity is the point: you should be able to ask smarter questions and get clearer answers.

In everyday terms, certification is most helpful when you’re trying to avoid common surprises—like a cemetery that advertises natural burial but still requires a vault, or a funeral home that insists embalming is mandatory when your family doesn’t want it. The GBC’s core explanation of green burial emphasizes a more natural approach that prioritizes placing the body directly in the earth, forgoing embalming, and using biodegradable materials. The Green Burial Council describes green burial as a set of practices intended to reduce environmental impact, with details that vary by location and cemetery rules.

The three GBC cemetery certification levels (Hybrid, Natural, Conservation)

If you’re comparing cemeteries, the certification level tells you what “green” is supposed to mean on that specific ground. The GBC uses three cemetery categories—Hybrid, Natural, and Conservation—so families can match their values and expectations to the reality of cemetery operations. The GBC’s definitions are especially useful because they focus on what a cemetery must allow or must avoid.

Hybrid cemetery (the most common starting point for families)

A hybrid cemetery is a conventional cemetery that offers the essential aspects of natural burial either throughout the cemetery or in a designated section. The key practical detail is that GBC-certified hybrids do not require vaults and must allow biodegradable containers such as shrouds and soft wood caskets. The Green Burial Council defines hybrid cemeteries this way, which is why many families begin here: it often blends familiar cemetery structure with greener rules.

Natural cemetery (more consistent “green” rules across the burial area)

Natural cemeteries typically move further into green practices as a default rather than as a special section. In many natural burial grounds, you’ll see stronger restrictions on materials and chemicals, and you may find that the cemetery’s maintenance practices are designed to be more ecological. The safest way to use the label “natural” is to treat it as a starting question and then confirm the cemetery’s written policies—especially regarding vaults, containers, grave markers, and what is (or isn’t) permitted for body care. The GBC encourages this kind of direct confirmation because cemetery rules and local operating practices can vary even within the same certification umbrella. The GBC’s certification standards are a helpful reference point when you’re asking for specifics.

Conservation cemetery (green burial tied to land conservation)

Conservation cemeteries are designed to connect burial practices with long-term land conservation goals. Families who choose this option often care not only about avoiding vaults and choosing biodegradable materials, but also about supporting preservation of natural habitat. If your family is looking for the deepest “land stewardship” model, this category is the one to ask about—though availability is much more limited by region. The GBC notes that it offers these three cemetery types to reduce barriers and help families navigate the real-world differences between options. The GBC’s overview explains the purpose of having multiple certification paths.

GBC-certified green burial cemeteries in Arkansas (2026)

For Arkansas families who specifically want a certified green cemetery (not just a cemetery that allows “vaultless” burial informally), the most reliable starting point is the Green Burial Council’s directory tools. The GBC maintains a provider map for cemeteries that allows you to search by location and category. Use the GBC Cemetery Provider Map here to see current listings and confirm that a cemetery still appears as certified.

Based on the GBC’s cemetery provider listings and Arkansas providers’ own published information, one cemetery is widely identified as GBC-certified in Arkansas:

• Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery & Mausoleum (Gassville / Mountain Home area) — Listed in the Green Burial Council’s cemetery provider resources as a certified cemetery in Arkansas, and the cemetery and associated funeral provider publicly describe a dedicated green burial section and GBC certification. GBC Cemetery Provider Map | Kirby & Family green burial overview | Green Burial Arkansas (provider site)

If you want a quick “map” experience without guessing, here’s a practical approach that works well for families planning from out of town: open the GBC provider map, search for your Arkansas city, and then expand the result details so you can capture the cemetery name, phone number, and website in one place. The GBC map is designed to make this kind of locating-and-confirming step easier.

One gentle caution that can save you time: Arkansas has cemeteries that allow some green practices without formal certification. Those places may still be a good fit for your family, but they require deeper verification because “green burial” might mean “no vault allowed,” or it might simply mean “vault optional,” or it might mean “we’ll allow a biodegradable casket but only with a liner.” Certification doesn’t eliminate the need to ask questions, but it usually reduces the odds of misunderstanding.

What to ask a cemetery (and why these questions matter)

Most green burial stress comes from assumptions. Families assume vaults are “illegal,” or embalming is “required,” or a shroud is “always allowed.” In reality, many rules come down to cemetery policy and provider practice, which is why the GBC repeatedly emphasizes confirming details directly with the cemetery and funeral home. The GBC’s FAQ highlights how often internal rules shape what’s possible.

These are the questions that most reliably clarify what you can actually do in Arkansas—without turning the conversation into an interrogation. If you ask them calmly, you’re not being difficult; you’re preventing surprises:

• Do you require a vault or liner anywhere on the property, and if not, can you provide that policy in writing?
• Is the green option available in a dedicated section, or throughout the cemetery?
• What burial containers are permitted—shroud only, softwood casket, wicker, cardboard, simple pine—and are there restrictions on handles or liners?
• What are the rules around embalming, refrigeration, and timing if we want a viewing or a longer gathering?
• How are graves marked (temporary markers, native stones, flat markers), and what is allowed for flowers or plantings?
• Can we see an itemized price sheet that separates plot cost, opening/closing, and any section fees or administrative charges?

Notice what’s missing from that list: arguments about what “green” should mean. You don’t need to persuade anyone. You just need clarity about the rules so you can choose what fits your values and your budget.

Vaults, embalming, and biodegradable containers: how the practical pieces fit together

Families often arrive at green burial because they want fewer barriers between a person and the earth. That usually translates into three concrete decisions: whether to use embalming, whether a vault is required, and what kind of container (casket or shroud) the cemetery will accept. The Green Burial Council’s definitions are especially clear about vaults in certified hybrid cemeteries: they do not require vaults and must allow biodegradable containers such as shrouds and soft wood caskets. The GBC’s hybrid definition is a useful page to reference when you’re trying to understand what a certified hybrid cemetery is built to support.

On the container side, many Arkansas families compare a biodegradable casket to a burial shroud because they’re trying to balance simplicity with what feels emotionally comfortable for a goodbye. If your family is learning the vocabulary for the first time, Funeral.com’s resources can help you translate the idea into practical steps: Biodegradable Caskets and Eco-Friendly Coffins and Burial Shrouds Explained walk through the real-world considerations families typically don’t hear until they’re already under pressure.

And if your family is trying to keep things as uncomplicated as possible, it can help to remember that “green” doesn’t have to mean “no ceremony.” It can mean a smaller gathering, a graveside moment, or a family-led goodbye. Funeral planning is still funeral planning; the difference is that your decisions are anchored in biodegradable materials and fewer permanent barriers.

Green burial cost in Arkansas: what changes the total

Families often search green burial cost Arkansas because they’ve heard green burial is always cheaper. Sometimes it is. Avoiding embalming, skipping an elaborate casket, and choosing a vaultless burial can reduce costs. But totals can also rise if a provider bundles “green” into a premium package, if the cemetery has additional section fees, or if the family wants services that require staff time and facilities. The most reliable strategy is simple: request itemized pricing and compare at least two options before you commit.

It also helps to keep the broader context in mind. Nationwide, many families are choosing cremation, and the trend has shifted the funeral market in ways that affect pricing and availability for every option. NFDA reports that the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, with burial projected at 31.6%. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation continues to outpace burial, which is part of why more cemeteries and funeral homes are responding to demand for alternative, lower-impact choices.

If your family is comparing “green burial vs cremation” as part of the budget conversation, CANA’s statistics provide another helpful anchor: CANA reports that the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and is projected to rise over time. According to CANA’s industry statistics, cremation continues to be the majority disposition choice nationally, which is why many families end up planning both: a disposition choice plus a memorialization choice.

If green burial isn’t the right fit, your memorial choices still matter

Sometimes families start with natural burial and end with cremation because of distance, timing, or cemetery availability. That change doesn’t mean you “failed” to honor your values. It means you adapted. And this is where Funeral.com’s memorial options can help families build a plan that still feels grounded, personal, and environmentally thoughtful.

If your family chooses cremation and wants an earth-forward approach, start with the container and your intended placement. Some families want a classic display urn at home; others want a biodegradable option for burial or water ceremony; many want a little of both. Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is a broad starting point, but families who want greener materials often go straight to Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes, which includes plantable and water-soluble options that return gently to nature.

If your plan involves sharing, you’ll hear two terms that matter: small cremation urns and keepsake urns. A keepsake holds a token amount meant for sharing among loved ones, while a small urn holds more while still staying compact and easy to place. For browsing, Small Cremation Urns for Ashes and Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes are helpful category anchors, and Funeral.com’s guide on how to choose a cremation urn helps families connect the container to the real plan: home, columbarium, scattering, burial, or a combination.

For pet loss, the same “plan first” approach prevents second-guessing. Families looking for pet urns often begin with Pet Cremation Urns for Ashes, then narrow into styles that feel like their companion—like Pet Figurine Cremation Urns for Ashes. If your family wants to share a portion among households, Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes can make that sharing feel simpler and more intentional. And if you’re unsure about sizing or style, Funeral.com’s guide to choosing the right urn for pet ashes can reduce guesswork.

When memorialization becomes wearable, families often search cremation jewelry or cremation necklaces because they want something steady they can carry. The key is understanding scale: cremation jewelry holds a very small portion, while most remains stay in an urn or are placed according to your plan. Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 explains how it works in simple terms, and the Cremation Necklaces collection can help families explore styles without feeling rushed.

And if your family is keeping ashes at home while you decide—because siblings need time, travel is complicated, or you want to wait for a meaningful date—that is normal. Many families choose a respectful “hold now, decide later” plan. Funeral.com’s Keeping Ashes at Home: A Practical Safety Guide offers calming, practical ways to store an urn securely, especially in homes with children or pets.

Water burial and other “green-adjacent” options families consider

Some Arkansas families want the symbolism of returning to water rather than earth. In that case, water burial usually means placing ashes in a biodegradable, water-soluble urn that dissolves over time, while scattering at sea typically means releasing ashes directly. Funeral.com’s water burial and burial at sea guide explains the practical planning details families most often miss.

If the ceremony is in U.S. ocean waters, federal guidance matters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that burial at sea is covered under a general permit and does not require an application in advance, but it does require notification to the EPA within 30 days after the burial at sea. According to the U.S. EPA’s Burial at Sea guidance, families need to follow specific rules (including distance from land) and complete the reporting step afterward.

A compassionate way to start: choose your “non-negotiables,” then confirm the rules

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you do not need to solve everything at once. A practical way to begin is to name your family’s non-negotiables—no vault, no embalming, biodegradable container, conservation values, a simpler ceremony—then use certification standards and written cemetery policies to confirm whether those non-negotiables can be honored. The Green Burial Council’s tools are useful because they focus on standards rather than sales language, and their certification framework is designed to make the “what does this really mean?” conversation easier for families. The GBC’s FAQ is a strong companion resource if you want to understand the most common friction points before you start calling providers.

And if you discover that certified green burial availability is limited where you live in Arkansas, that does not mean you’re out of options. It simply means your family may choose a different disposition path—perhaps cremation paired with a biodegradable container, a meaningful scattering plan, or a memorial at home—and then use funeral planning to create the moment of goodbye that fits your people, your place, and your values.

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