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

If you’re reading this in Minnesota, there’s a good chance you’re balancing two realities at once. You want to make choices that feel gentle and respectful for someone you love, and you also want those choices to align with the values they lived by—simplicity, stewardship, and a sense that “returning to the earth” should mean exactly that.

That’s why searches like green burial Minnesota, natural burial Minnesota, and eco friendly burial Minnesota keep growing. Nationally, cremation continues to rise (the National Funeral Directors Association projects a U.S. cremation rate of 63.4% in 2025), and interest in greener options is rising alongside it. For families, this often isn’t about making a “statement.” It’s about finding something that feels honest. It’s also about avoiding surprises—like a cemetery requiring a vault when you thought you were planning a natural burial, or learning too late that a service you want is only available through a licensed facility.

This Minnesota guide focuses on what families typically mean by a “green burial” in 2026, the cemetery types you’ll run into, what Minnesota law actually requires (and what it doesn’t), and how to compare costs with clarity. Along the way, you’ll also see practical alternatives that many eco-minded families consider in Minnesota—like alkaline hydrolysis Minnesota (also called aquamation Minnesota or water cremation) and natural organic reduction Minnesota (often called human composting Minnesota)—plus how to confirm legality and availability.

If you’d like a broader overview first, Funeral.com’s Green Burial Guide is a helpful foundation, and this Minnesota page is designed to be the “now what?” version—specific, local, and budget-aware.

What “green burial” usually means in Minnesota in 2026

A green funeral Minnesota plan usually centers on fewer chemicals, fewer permanent materials, and more natural land stewardship. In plain terms, it often means avoiding conventional embalming, choosing biodegradable burial containers, and selecting a cemetery that does not require vaults or liners for the kind of burial you want. The National Funeral Directors Association describes natural burial grounds as seeking to bury “without impediment,” typically meaning no embalming, no liners or vaults, and biodegradable containers such as shrouds or simple wood caskets.

One important nuance: families use “green burial” as an umbrella term, but cemeteries can be structured very differently. Some are conventional cemeteries with a natural section. Some are dedicated natural burial grounds. Some are conservation burial grounds tied to permanent land protection. Because terminology can be inconsistent, third-party standards can help. The Green Burial Council lays out criteria and definitions that many families use as a reality check when a provider markets something as “green.”

The cemetery types Minnesota families will encounter

Hybrid cemeteries and green sections

A hybrid cemetery Minnesota is typically a conventional cemetery that offers the essential elements of natural burial either throughout the cemetery or in a designated section. The Green Burial Council explains that GBC-certified hybrid cemeteries do not require vaults and must allow biodegradable burial containers, including shrouds and simple wood caskets. In Minnesota, this category is common because it lets a cemetery offer greener choices without rebuilding its entire operating model.

Natural burial grounds

A natural burial ground Minnesota (in the strictest sense) is dedicated fully to sustainable practices and typically prohibits toxic embalming, vault components, and non-biodegradable containers. The Green Burial Council definition emphasizes the “whole site” approach: it is not just a corner of a conventional cemetery, it is a cemetery built around natural management.

Conservation burial grounds

Conservation burial Minnesota is usually a form of natural burial tied to permanent land protection. The Green Burial Council describes conservation burial grounds as natural cemeteries established in partnership with a conservation organization and protected by a conservation easement or deed restriction. Families who choose this option often want the burial to support habitat restoration or land preservation as part of the legacy.

Conventional cemeteries that allow greener practices

Some conventional cemeteries will accommodate “greener” practices (like skipping embalming, allowing certain biodegradable caskets, or permitting simpler markers) while still requiring an outer burial container for maintenance reasons. This is not “fake green,” but it can be a different level of green than what many families imagine. The key is to ask for specifics, not labels.

What makes a burial “green” in Minnesota

Embalming, refrigeration, and timing

In Minnesota, the most important starting point is that embalming is not a blanket requirement for burial. State law focuses on what must happen if certain conditions apply. Minnesota Statutes section 149A.91 requires that a body be embalmed, refrigerated, or packed in dry ice in specific circumstances, including when final disposition will not be accomplished within 72 hours after death (with certain exceptions), when the body will be publicly viewed (as defined by the statute), when transportation is by public transportation, or when ordered for infectious disease control.

For many natural burial Minnesota plans, this means the practical question is not “Is embalming required?” but “How will we manage the timeline?” Refrigeration is commonly used when families want a simple, natural burial without embalming and the burial cannot occur immediately. If a viewing is part of what you need emotionally, it’s worth discussing options early, because the legal definition of “publicly viewed” matters in Minnesota and can change what is required.

Vaults and liners

This is where families often get surprised. The federal framework is straightforward: the Federal Trade Commission explains that, in most areas, state or local law does not require an outer burial container, but many cemeteries require one to prevent graves from sinking. In other words, vault requirements are often a cemetery policy issue rather than a legal one.

For Minnesota families, the most reliable approach is to treat vault questions as “cemetery-by-cemetery.” Some cemeteries explicitly waive outer burial container requirements for green burial. For example, Roselawn Cemetery notes that outer burial containers are required for most in-ground casketed interments, with an exception for green/natural burial. Policies like this are exactly why you want the cemetery’s written rules (and price list) before you commit.

Shrouds, biodegradable caskets, and simple containers

Shroud burial Minnesota and biodegradable casket Minnesota planning is usually less about state law and more about cemetery rules and handling logistics. Green burial cemeteries often allow a natural-fiber shroud, a simple unfinished wood casket, or other biodegradable options. If you want help comparing materials and what families typically choose, Funeral.com’s guide to Biodegradable Caskets and Eco-Friendly Coffins can make those tradeoffs feel more manageable.

If you’re planning a burial in winter or during freeze-thaw seasons, it’s also reasonable to ask how the cemetery handles digging and scheduling. Those realities don’t make a burial less green, but they can affect timing and cost—especially if equipment or special accommodations are needed.

Grave depth, markers, and the look of the land

Many families picture green burial as “no markers at all.” In practice, it depends on the cemetery. The Green Burial Council notes that green burial cemeteries may use GPS or limited marker options to identify grave sites, and many restrict non-native stone or large monuments. If having a place to visit matters to your family, ask how location is recorded and what kinds of memorialization are permitted—flat markers, native stones, trees, or a shared memorial space.

Paperwork and permits

Even the simplest green burial involves paperwork. Minnesota law requires a disposition permit before a body can be buried, entombed, cremated, alkaline hydrolyzed, or (effective July 1, 2025) naturally reduced. This is stated in Minnesota Statutes 149A.93. Most families never see the behind-the-scenes process because the funeral home typically coordinates it, but knowing the permit requirement can help you ask better questions, especially if you are arranging something simpler or working across state lines.

How to find natural burial grounds and hybrid cemeteries serving Minnesota

If you want a vetted starting point, the Green Burial Council’s Cemetery Provider Map is one of the easiest ways to locate certified options near you. Certification is not the only way a cemetery can offer green burial, but it is one of the clearest signals that the cemetery’s rules match what families typically mean when they say “green.”

From there, you’ll often find that Minnesota options come in a few clusters: hybrid cemeteries with a natural section in the Twin Cities area, dedicated green cemeteries, and emerging projects in outstate areas. Here are a few Minnesota examples families commonly explore (always confirm current rules and pricing directly with the provider):

• Resurrection Cemetery (Mendota Heights) has a natural burial section added in 2019 and notes that it was certified by the Green Burial Council in 2020.
• Mound Cemetery of Brooklyn Center states it has been certified by the Green Burial Council as a hybrid green burial cemetery.
• Roselawn Cemetery (Roseville) states it operates as a hybrid natural burial cemetery and discusses its vault/outer burial container policies.
• Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens (Inver Grove Heights) describes itself as an eco-focused cemetery with green burial options and provides planning information for families.
• Loving Earth Memorial Gardens (Barnum) describes natural burial and cremains services and provides contact information for planning and availability questions.

If you are also evaluating funeral homes, the Green Burial Council maintains a Funeral Homes Provider Map as well. And for Minnesota-specific licensing verification (particularly relevant for alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction), the Minnesota Department of Health provides a public Mortuary Science provider lookup you can use to confirm facility credentials.

How to vet a cemetery or green section in Minnesota

When families feel stressed, it’s usually not because the choices are inherently complicated. It’s because details are vague and decisions feel irreversible. A good vetting conversation turns “green burial near me Minnesota” into a clear plan with written rules.

These questions are a practical baseline. If you can get clear answers (ideally in writing or in published rules), you will avoid most unpleasant surprises:

• “Do you require a vault or liner for the type of burial we want?” (If yes, ask whether there is an exception for green burial; many cemeteries treat this as policy, not law, consistent with FTC guidance.)
• “Are shrouds allowed? What about simple wood caskets or other biodegradable containers?” (Ask for any material restrictions.)
• “Are embalmed bodies allowed in the green section?” (Some green sections prohibit embalming entirely; others allow it but encourage alternatives.)
• “How is the grave location recorded?” (GPS, a flat marker, a shared memorial, or another method.)
• “What does the landscape look like over time?” (Mowed lawn, meadow/prairie, woodland restoration, limited pesticides/herbicides—this is where values meet reality.)
• “What does perpetual care mean here?” (Especially in natural landscapes, maintenance looks different; ask what is guaranteed.)
• “Can you share your cemetery price list and your rules?” (You want transparency up front.)
• “Are there residency limits or parish/community requirements?” (Some cemeteries prioritize residents or members.)

If you’re evaluating a cemetery that is not certified, you can still use the Green Burial Council definitions as your checklist. Think of certification as a shortcut to clarity, not the only valid option.

Minnesota green burial pricing in 2026: what typically drives the total

Families often hope a green burial will be dramatically cheaper. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t. The cost usually depends on two things: the cemetery’s policies (especially vault requirements and fees) and how much professional coordination you need. Nationally, the NFDA reports the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in 2023 was $8,300, but that figure does not include cemetery costs. In Minnesota, your total can move substantially depending on the cemetery space, opening/closing charges, and whether you’re planning a service with staff time and facilities.

The simplest way to stay grounded is to break the total into components and request itemized pricing. Funeral.com’s guide Funeral Costs Broken Down can help you compare price lists without getting lost in fine print.

Cost component	What it covers	What can raise or lower the total
Cemetery space (plot/rights)	Interment rights in a green section, hybrid cemetery, or natural burial ground	Location (metro vs. outstate), scarcity of green sections, residency rules, and whether the site is a conservation burial ground
Opening and closing	Digging, placement, closing, equipment, staff, and scheduling	Seasonality (winter/frozen ground), weekend timing, and whether the cemetery uses hand-digging or equipment
Outer burial container (if required)	Vault or liner required by some cemeteries for maintenance	Often the largest “surprise” cost; the FTC notes cemeteries may require it even when law doesn’t
Burial container or shroud	Biodegradable casket, carrier, or natural-fiber shroud	Simple shrouds can be lower-cost; specialty caskets can raise totals; cemetery rules may limit options
Marker or memorialization	Flat marker, shared memorial feature, or other permitted memorial options	Some green sites limit markers or use GPS; conventional cemeteries may require foundation work for monuments
Funeral home coordination	Transportation, permits, refrigeration, staff coordination, and optional ceremony support	Direct/simple burial tends to cost less than services with staffing and facilities; timeline and distance matter

You may also see “package-style” pricing from certain green cemeteries. For example, Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens discusses green burial cost expectations on its planning page. Treat these as starting points, then confirm what is included (and what is not), especially when comparing across cemeteries with different rules.

Eco-minded alternatives Minnesota families also consider

Greener burial within a conventional cemetery

If your family wants a familiar cemetery setting but still wants greener choices, you can sometimes plan a “greener conventional burial” by choosing no embalming (when compatible with your timeline), selecting a biodegradable casket, and limiting chemical-intensive practices where the cemetery allows. The vault question is usually the limiting factor, so it’s worth asking directly and referencing the FTC’s explanation that vaults are often a cemetery requirement rather than a legal one.

Cremation with biodegradable urns or natural scattering

Some families start with green burial and then realize cremation (or an alternative cremation method) fits better emotionally, financially, or logistically. If your plan includes cremation, the next question becomes what to do with ashes. Many families choose a traditional urn at home, others plan scattering, and some want a water ceremony. If you’re exploring urn options, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection is a broad place to compare styles, while biodegradable & eco-friendly urns is the focused path for land burial or water ceremonies.

If you’re planning sharing or a smaller memorial at home, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can support those plans without forcing one person to hold everything. For some families, the most comforting option is wearable memorialization—cremation jewelry or cremation necklaces—especially when grief doesn’t stay in one place. If you want a grounded guide before buying, read Cremation Jewelry 101.

If a water ceremony is part of your family’s story, Funeral.com’s water burial guide explains how families plan those moments responsibly, and Biodegradable Water Urns for Ashes helps match the urn to the ceremony.

Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation / water cremation) in Minnesota

Alkaline hydrolysis Minnesota is legal, but it must be performed at a licensed facility. Minnesota Statutes 149A.941 states that a body may only be hydrolyzed in Minnesota at an alkaline hydrolysis facility licensed by the commissioner of health. In practical terms, this means the “is it legal?” question is different from the “is it available near me?” question.

The cleanest way to confirm availability is to ask your funeral home which licensed facility would perform the process and then verify licensing through the Minnesota Department of Health’s provider lookup. If you want a plain-language overview before you talk to providers, Funeral.com’s How Much Does Cremation Cost? guide can help you understand how alternative methods may be priced and what to request in writing.

Natural organic reduction (human composting) in Minnesota

Natural organic reduction Minnesota—often called human composting Minnesota—is legally recognized as a method of disposition in Minnesota effective July 1, 2025, as stated in Minnesota Statutes 149A.93 (disposition permit language includes “naturally reduced”). The Minnesota Department of Health explains key requirements on its Natural Organic Reduction page, including that facilities must be licensed by MDH and must comply with zoning, environmental, and building code requirements.

Availability can change as facilities open and licensing progresses, so the best “2026” habit is to confirm in real time: ask which facility would perform the process, and verify through the MDH provider lookup. If a Minnesota facility is not available for your timeline, some families explore out-of-state options coordinated through a funeral home; in that case, transportation logistics and permits become part of the cost and planning conversation.

Provider checklist (cemetery + funeral home)

Cemetery checklist

• Confirm whether a vault/liner is required for the exact burial plan you want (and whether green burial is exempt).
• Ask what burial containers are allowed: shroud, simple wood casket, biodegradable casket, or other options.
• Ask whether embalming is prohibited, discouraged, or permitted in the green section.
• Request the cemetery’s written rules and current price list (space, opening/closing, memorialization, and any administrative fees).
• Ask how grave locations are recorded and what marker options exist.
• Ask how the landscape is maintained (mowing, herbicides/pesticides, prairie/meadow management, restoration plan).
• Confirm accessibility for guests (paths, seasonal conditions) and any restrictions on ceremonies.

Funeral home checklist

• Ask how the timeline will be managed without embalming (refrigeration, scheduling, and any additional fees).
• Confirm who handles the disposition permit and what documents you will be asked to sign.
• If considering aquamation Minnesota, ask which licensed alkaline hydrolysis facility will perform it and verify via MDH.
• If considering natural organic reduction Minnesota, ask which licensed facility will perform it and whether an in-state option is currently available.
• Request an itemized estimate in writing so you can compare apples to apples.

FAQs about green burial in Minnesota