Green Burial Options in Arkansas (2026): Natural Burial Grounds, Hybrid Cemeteries & Prices

If you’re researching green burial Arkansas options, you’re usually doing two things at once: trying to honor someone’s values, and trying to make sure the practical details won’t create stress at the worst possible time. In Arkansas, the biggest “make-or-break” factor is rarely whether a natural burial Arkansas is allowed in theory. It’s whether the specific cemetery you’re considering will allow the things that make a burial truly green: no chemical embalming, no concrete vault, and a biodegradable container or shroud burial Arkansas option that the cemetery accepts.

Green burial is growing nationally alongside a steady rise in cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected at 63.4% in 2025, and the Cremation Association of North America reports a 2024 cremation rate of 61.8%. That matters here because many Arkansas families compare “simple cremation” to “simple burial” on both cost and environmental impact. A good green funeral Arkansas plan is less about ideology and more about matching a family’s priorities to what’s actually available near where you live.

What “green burial” means in Arkansas in 2026

In everyday language, green cemetery Arkansas planning usually means a whole-body burial that minimizes environmental impact. The core expectations are consistent across the U.S., but you’ll see them expressed as cemetery policies rather than one single “green burial law.” As a starting point, the Green Burial Council describes green burial categories and what certified cemeteries must allow, including burial without vaults and the use of biodegradable containers like shrouds in certified hybrid cemeteries.

In Arkansas specifically, the practical definition of a green burial tends to come down to a handful of decisions you can control and a handful of rules you have to confirm:

• Body care: Whether embalming is avoided and how refrigeration or other temporary care is handled.
• Outer burial container: Whether a vault or liner is required by the cemetery (not by families).
• Container choice: Whether a biodegradable casket, simple wood casket, or shroud is permitted.
• Grave and marker style: Whether markers are minimal, flush, natural, or avoided; and how the landscape is maintained.
• Paperwork: What permits are needed based on burial vs. cremation, and whether transportation is involved.

The cemetery types Arkansas families will encounter

When you search green burial options Arkansas or green burial near me Arkansas, you’ll see the same cemetery types repeatedly. Understanding the categories makes it easier to ask the right questions and spot “green” marketing that doesn’t match the rules on the ground.

Hybrid cemeteries with a natural section

A hybrid cemetery Arkansas option is usually a conventional cemetery that offers a green/natural section, or that permits green practices throughout. The Green Burial Council describes a hybrid cemetery as a conventional cemetery offering the essential aspects of natural burial, and notes that GBC-certified hybrids do not require vaults and must allow biodegradable containers such as shrouds and soft wood caskets. See the GBC definition here: Hybrid cemetery definition.

In Arkansas, the best-known example of a hybrid cemetery with a dedicated green section is Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery (near Mountain Home/Gassville), which markets a specific green burial section and states it is certified by the Green Burial Council. You can review their overview here: Green Burial Arkansas (Kirby & Family).

Natural burial grounds

A natural burial ground Arkansas search is usually looking for a cemetery dedicated primarily to natural burial rather than a single “green corner” of a conventional property. Natural burial grounds tend to have stricter requirements around landscaping, marker styles, and what is permitted in the grave. In practice, even when a natural burial ground exists, families should still confirm whether vaults are prohibited, whether shrouds are allowed, and whether the cemetery’s written rules match the description on its website.

Conservation burial grounds

Conservation burial Arkansas is the category people often want when they say, “We want the burial to actively protect land.” Conservation burial grounds are typically tied to long-term land conservation via conservation easements or partnerships, with stricter ecological standards. These sites can be less common, and in some regions they may be in neighboring states rather than in-state. If conservation burial is the goal, it’s worth expanding your search radius and using recognized provider directories (more on that below).

Conventional cemeteries that allow greener practices

Many Arkansas families end up choosing a conventional cemetery and then making it “greener” through the choices still available: declining embalming (when possible), choosing a biodegradable container, reducing or avoiding concrete when the cemetery allows it, and choosing a smaller, simpler marker. This is also where families sometimes encounter the most friction, because “standard” cemetery rules are often designed around mowing, uniformity, and long-term maintenance. That doesn’t mean a greener burial is impossible; it means you need clarity early.

What makes a burial “green” in Arkansas

Embalming, refrigeration, and the Arkansas 48-hour reality

One of the most common search questions is embalming required for burial Arkansas. Arkansas rules focus on timing and preservation rather than forcing embalming as a default. Under the Code of Arkansas Rules, bodies not buried within 48 hours after death must be embalmed or stored under refrigeration at 45°F or less, and when a body is being cremated, embalming and refrigeration are not required for a 48-hour period unless a health problem dictates otherwise. You can read the text here: 20 CAR § 1-802 (Preservation of bodies).

What that means in real life is that a green burial plan in Arkansas often includes a practical conversation about refrigeration and scheduling. If your family wants time for travel, gathering, or a service, ask the funeral home what non-embalming options they provide and what the timeline looks like. A green burial can still include meaningful viewing or a farewell moment; it just requires planning that respects the preservation window.

Vaults, liners, and cemetery policy

Families often search vault requirement green burial Arkansas because they’ve heard that a “green burial” won’t allow concrete. Here’s the key distinction: vault and liner requirements are usually cemetery policy rather than state mandate, and those policies vary widely. The Green Burial Council notes that cemeteries may require a vault as an internal rule, and also notes there is no law requiring embalming for viewing or requiring a vault for burial. See: GBC FAQ.

So, in Arkansas, “green burial” often means finding a cemetery section where vaults are not required, or negotiating a cemetery’s requirements if they allow exceptions. If a cemetery will not waive an outer burial container, you can still pursue more eco-minded choices, but it may not meet the family’s definition of a fully natural burial.

Biodegradable caskets vs. shrouds

Biodegradable casket Arkansas searches typically lead families to simple wood caskets, woven materials, or other biodegradable containers. Shroud burial Arkansas searches are often about whether a cemetery will allow a body wrapped in a biodegradable shroud (sometimes with a lowering board or tray to make handling easier). In certified hybrid cemeteries, the Green Burial Council’s standards require allowing biodegradable containers, including shrouds. See the hybrid cemetery definition: Green Burial Council definitions.

In practice, the “best” container is the one your cemetery will accept without adding requirements that undermine the purpose. Before you purchase anything, ask the cemetery for its written container rules and confirm whether they require a burial vault for casketed burials, for shrouded burials, or for both.

Grave depth, markers, and the “looks like nature” question

Most families don’t start by caring about grave depth, but it becomes important when you’re comparing a conventional cemetery to a natural section. Some green burial grounds use a shallower depth than conventional practice to support aerobic decomposition and reduce disturbance. Markers can range from a simple native stone flush with the ground to a small plaque, or a GPS-based record with minimal physical marking. Cemeteries vary widely on what they allow, so treat this as a question of rules and maintenance style rather than assumption.

Paperwork and permits you’re likely to encounter

Arkansas paperwork tends to be straightforward, but it matters to know when a specific permit applies. Under the Code of Arkansas Rules, a burial-transit permit is required when a body is cremated or transported out of state, and it may be waived for in-state disposition when the person died in Arkansas and will be buried in Arkansas. See: 20 CAR § 1-701 (Burial-transit permit).

The Arkansas Department of Health also publishes the state’s burial-transit/cremation permit form guidance, including that the permit is to be obtained prior to cremations and transporting a body out of Arkansas, and that a sexton may require a burial permit prior to burial in Arkansas. See: Arkansas Department of Health permit resource.

How to find and vet natural burial grounds and green sections serving Arkansas

The fastest way to begin is to use a directory that distinguishes between cemetery types and standards. The Green Burial Council Cemetery Provider Map is a practical starting point because it helps you filter for hybrid, natural, and conservation cemeteries and see what is certified versus simply marketed.

Arkansas families will also see local providers promoting green burial packages. For example, Kirby & Family’s green burial pages describe their green burial section at Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery and state that the cemetery is certified by the Green Burial Council. See: Kirby & Family green burial overview.

Regardless of where you start, vetting comes down to a few questions that reveal whether a cemetery is truly compatible with your goals. If you ask these up front, you reduce the odds of surprise fees, last-minute rule changes, or a “green burial” that ends up requiring the same concrete and merchandise you were trying to avoid.

• Vaults and liners: “Do you require an outer burial container in any part of the cemetery? If not, can you point me to the written policy?”
• Container rules: “Are shrouds allowed? If yes, do you require a rigid board, tray, or specific lowering equipment?”
• Embalming: “Do you require embalming for burial here, or only refrigeration and timing compliance?”
• Landscaping: “Is the section maintained with native plants? Are herbicides or pesticides used?”
• Markers: “What marker styles are allowed (flush stone, native rock, plaque), and are upright monuments restricted?”
• Perpetual care and governance: “How is long-term maintenance funded, and what happens if ownership changes?”
• Accessibility: “Is the green section reachable for elderly visitors or those with mobility needs, and are there seasonal limitations?”
• Pricing transparency: “Can you provide an itemized list: space cost, opening/closing, any cemetery administrative fees, and marker rules?”
• Standards: “Are you certified by the Green Burial Council or following any recognized third-party standards?”

Green burial cost in Arkansas: what shapes the total

Families searching green burial cost Arkansas or natural burial cost Arkansas deserve a direct answer, but the honest version is that totals vary because cemeteries bundle and itemize differently. Still, you can make the process far less confusing by understanding the typical components and what raises or lowers the final price.

As a broad national reference point, the Funeral Consumers Alliance notes that the cost for a grave site and interment in a green burial context can range from $1,000 to $4,000 for a body, depending on region and site type. Arkansas pricing can fall below or within national ranges depending on the county, the cemetery’s ownership model, and whether the green section is part of a larger conventional property.

The cost components most Arkansas families will see

• Space/plot: The right of interment, sometimes sold as a single space, family space, or section-limited space.
• Opening and closing: Digging, closing, and restoration of the grave. Some cemeteries include this; others do not.
• Container: A biodegradable casket or a shroud/lowering board system. This is where families often overspend without realizing it.
• Marker and setting: Even minimal markers can involve engraving and setting fees.
• Cemetery administrative fees: Paperwork, endowment care, or section-specific fees.
• Funeral home coordination: Transfer into care, refrigeration, filing assistance, coordination with the cemetery, and any service staffing.

What tends to raise or lower the total

If your goal is an affordable, low-impact plan, the cost tends to rise when families add traditional merchandise back into the plan: upgraded caskets, extensive facility use, staffed services, and additional cemetery requirements. Cost tends to drop when families keep the plan simple and choose only what the cemetery requires. The most common “green burial savings” comes from avoiding vault and liner costs when the cemetery allows it, and avoiding embalming by using refrigeration and timely scheduling under Arkansas rules.

It may also help to compare the funeral home’s pricing for a green burial coordination package against its simplest direct burial or immediate burial pricing, because the underlying care requirements can be similar. If pricing feels opaque, ask for an itemized quote and compare at least two providers. This is still funeral planning, just with different assumptions than conventional burial.

Eco-minded alternatives that can work well in Arkansas

Sometimes a family wants the values of green burial but can’t find a nearby cemetery that matches the rules. In Arkansas, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It just means you may choose a blended approach: a greener burial inside a conventional cemetery, or a cremation plan that minimizes materials and keeps choices flexible.

Green sections inside conventional cemeteries

For many families, the most realistic green burial options Arkansas path is a hybrid cemetery or a conventional cemetery with a natural section. If you find a cemetery willing to waive the vault requirement and accept biodegradable containers, you can meet the family’s core values without needing a fully dedicated natural burial ground.

Cremation plus biodegradable urns, scattering, or burial of ashes

When families choose cremation, the “next step” becomes a question of what to do with ashes. Some families bury cremated remains in a cemetery; others scatter on private property with permission, or choose a biodegradable urn designed for earth burial or water release. If your family is considering cremation in Arkansas, Funeral.com has practical resources on how much does cremation cost, a guide on what to do with ashes, and a thoughtful overview of keeping ashes at home.

If you want an eco-minded urn choice, you can browse biodegradable & eco-friendly urns for ashes, or explore broader cremation urns for ashes options if your plan is to keep the urn at home or place it in a niche. Families who need smaller sharing options often look at keepsake urns or small cremation urns.

Arkansas rules also address scattering of cremated remains in specific ways. Under the Code of Arkansas Rules, cremated remains may be disposed of in a cemetery, scattered over uninhabited public lands or waterways, or placed on private property with written consent of the owner, and the rules specify that the remains must be reduced to a particle size of one-eighth inch or less prior to scattering. See: 17 CAR § 30-209 (Disposition of cremated remains).

If you’re considering a water burial at sea (for ocean scattering), federal rules apply. The U.S. EPA explains the general permit framework here: EPA Burial at Sea. Funeral.com also explains how families plan water burial and the “3 nautical miles” concept in a practical way: water burial planning guide.

Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) and natural organic reduction (human composting)

Families searching alkaline hydrolysis Arkansas or aquamation Arkansas are often looking for a lower-carbon alternative to flame cremation. Arkansas has considered legislation to regulate alkaline hydrolysis facilities and use, including SB440 in the 2025 session, and the bill history is available through the Arkansas State Legislature here: Arkansas SB440 bill history. Because legal authorization and facility licensing can change and may involve rulemaking, the practical guidance is to confirm availability directly with Arkansas-licensed providers and the state funeral regulatory authorities before making plans around it.

For natural organic reduction Arkansas or human composting Arkansas, the key is to distinguish “interest” from “in-state availability.” The NFDA maintains a list of states where natural organic reduction has been legalized; Arkansas is not listed among the legalized states in the NFDA’s May 2025 resource. See: NFDA Natural Organic Reduction (States legalized). If a family is interested in this option anyway, it typically requires working with an out-of-state facility and confirming how transportation and authorizations would work from Arkansas.

When you’re comparing options, it can help to remember that “green” isn’t all-or-nothing. A family can prioritize the lowest-impact choices available locally and still create a respectful, meaningful goodbye.

Provider checklist for Arkansas families

This is the practical checklist that tends to prevent the most regret. Use it for both the cemetery and the funeral home, and ask for answers in writing whenever you can.

• Cemetery type and standards: Identify whether it is hybrid, natural, conservation, or conventional with greener allowances, and ask whether any third-party standards apply (for example, Green Burial Council certification).
• Vault policy: Confirm whether vaults/liners are required, and whether the policy differs by section.
• Container policy: Confirm whether shrouds are allowed, whether a rigid board is required, and what materials are prohibited.
• Body care timing: Confirm how the cemetery coordinates with refrigeration and scheduling so the burial can occur without embalming under Arkansas timing rules.
• Marker rules: Confirm what is allowed, what is required, and what fees apply for engraving and installation.
• Itemized costs: Request a written list of all cemetery charges and all funeral home charges, including opening/closing, administrative fees, and any “required” add-ons.
• Access and logistics: Confirm how the site is accessed, whether vehicles are allowed near the grave, and what is realistic for elderly or disabled visitors.
• Paperwork and permits: Confirm who files what, including death certificate coordination and any permit needs triggered by cremation or transport.

FAQs for green burial in Arkansas