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

If you’ve been searching green burial Montana or natural burial Montana, you’re probably trying to hold two things at once: a real goodbye for someone you love, and a return-to-the-earth approach that feels consistent with Montana’s wide-open sense of land and stewardship. Green burial can be beautifully simple, but it’s not “one option.” It’s a set of choices shaped by cemetery rules, logistics, and the kind of care your family wants around the body. The goal of this guide is to make those choices clearer—especially the difference between a true natural burial ground and a conventional cemetery that offers a greener section—so you can plan with confidence instead of guessing.

It also helps to name what’s driving the questions. Across the U.S., more families are rethinking disposition, costs, and environmental impact. The National Funeral Directors Association reports the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025 (with burial projected at 31.6%), and interest in “green” options is now mainstream in consumer surveys. The Cremation Association of North America reports a 61.8% U.S. cremation rate in 2024. Those statistics don’t tell you what you “should” do. They simply explain why more Montana families are encountering green burial conversations and why more cemeteries are experimenting with hybrid sections and vaultless options.

Green cemetery types you’ll encounter serving Montana

In Montana, the language can get confusing because cemeteries, funeral homes, and families often use “green,” “natural,” and “eco-friendly” interchangeably. A helpful anchor is the framework used by the Green Burial Council, which describes green burial as full-body burial that prioritizes natural decomposition, avoids toxic embalming, and typically avoids vaults while using biodegradable containers. Within that umbrella, the “where” matters just as much as the “how.”

Natural burial grounds

A natural burial ground Montana search is usually looking for a cemetery dedicated to natural burial as its identity, not just as an add-on. Natural cemeteries typically emphasize minimal chemical use, land stewardship, and burial practices designed to leave no long-term degradation of the land. The Green Burial Council describes natural cemeteries as more strict than hybrids, with additional ecological requirements and limits on markers based on environmental impact.

Conservation burial grounds

Conservation burial Montana is a specific subset of natural burial where the burial ground is tied to long-term land protection—often via an easement or land trust—so burial fees help preserve habitat and open space. In Green Burial Council terms, conservation cemeteries add conservation-law protection on top of natural-burial standards. They can be the most “land-forward” option, but they can also be the hardest to find because they require more infrastructure and legal structure than a simple cemetery section.

Hybrid cemeteries with a natural section

A hybrid cemetery Montana is usually a conventional cemetery that sets aside an area (or offers a defined policy) where vaults are not used and biodegradable containers are permitted. The Green Burial Council describes hybrid cemeteries as existing within conventional cemetery structures, typically requiring no vaults and biodegradable containers, with fewer requirements than a dedicated natural cemetery. In practice, hybrid sections are often the most accessible “green” option for Montana families because they can exist inside municipal cemeteries or established local cemeteries with staff and policies already in place.

Conventional cemeteries that allow greener practices

Some cemeteries do not label anything “green,” but will still accommodate certain eco-minded choices. This can look like a simple untreated wood casket, a restricted liner policy (for example, a liner rather than a sealed vault), natural fiber clothing or shrouding with a support board, limited use of herbicides, or more flexible marker options. These are not the same as a certified green cemetery, but for families with existing plots—or families who need the accessibility of a traditional cemetery—they can be a meaningful middle path.

What makes a burial “green” in Montana

Families often assume “green burial” is primarily about the container. In reality, it’s the combination of body care, vault policy, container materials, and cemetery management. Montana adds a practical layer: distance. When a death occurs far from a preferred burial place, the question becomes, “How do we keep everything safe and legal without embalming?” Montana rules allow refrigeration as an alternative in transport situations, and that becomes an important tool for green planning.

Embalming and body care

For most green burials, families avoid embalming. That does not mean families must rush into a funeral within hours. In Montana, transportation rules recognize refrigeration as the alternative to embalming when timing or distance requires it. Montana’s administrative rule for transportation notes that if a body will not reach its destination within 48 hours when transported by private conveyance, it must be embalmed or refrigerated at 35°F or colder, and it also sets refrigeration/embalming requirements for certain common-carrier scenarios. See Mont. Admin. R. 37.116.103 for the transport specifics. This is why a thoughtful green-burial plan often starts with a practical question: “How will we cool and care for the body if we are not embalming?”

Even within local green programs, cemeteries may require documentation that no embalming was performed. For example, the City of Billings’ Mountview Cemetery green burial program requires authorization from a qualified professional verifying the person has not been embalmed, and it outlines container expectations such as shrouds or biodegradable caskets. See City of Billings (Mountview Cemetery) Green Burials for the published requirements.

Vaults and liners

Here is the part that often surprises families: vault rules usually come from the cemetery, not the state. Many conventional cemeteries require a vault or outer burial container for casketed burials to keep the ground level and make maintenance easier. Green burial typically moves in the opposite direction. The Green Burial Council describes green burial as avoiding vaults and supporting natural decomposition, and it describes hybrid cemeteries as offering “no vaults” alongside biodegradable containers. A cemetery may still have safety-related rules about lowering devices, grave liners for specific soils, or how a shrouded body is carried—so the question is less “Do I need a vault?” and more “What does this specific cemetery require, and is there a vaultless option?”

In Billings’ Mountview Cemetery pricing, the City notes that “a vault is required for all traditional caskets,” while “vaultless ‘Green’ burials are allowed” for an added fee, with the person interred in a wicker or cardboard casket or wrapped in a shroud. See City of Billings Cemetery Fees for the posted vault and green burial fee language and amounts.

Biodegradable caskets vs. shrouds

In a true shroud burial Montana context, a shroud is often the simplest option: a natural-fiber wrap that avoids metal and synthetic finishes. Some natural burial grounds allow a shroud alone; others require a rigid support board for carrying and lowering, even if the body itself is wrapped in fabric. If your family is trying to compare options calmly, Funeral.com’s guide Burial Shrouds Explained walks through what cemeteries typically allow and what to ask before you buy anything.

If a casket feels more familiar for the family or required by the cemetery, the “green” question becomes the materials and finishes. Searches like biodegradable casket Montana often lead families to cardboard, wicker, bamboo, or simple untreated wood. The difference is less about marketing and more about the full materials list: no metal, no toxic finishes, and nothing that will persist as plastic or fiberglass in the soil. Funeral.com’s article Biodegradable Caskets and Eco-Friendly Coffins is a practical overview of how to compare options without getting lost in labels.

Grave depth, markers, and “what it looks like” over time

Montana families often care about the feel of the place as much as the method. Some green cemeteries look like a meadow or prairie, with natural stones or GPS mapping instead of traditional upright monuments. The Green Burial Council notes that marking can be done with GPS units, native stone markers, or mapping, and that natural and conservation cemeteries often limit markers based on ecological impact. Depth and spacing are usually set by cemetery policy and soil conditions, so the best green-burial question is: “How does this cemetery handle depth, settling, and maintenance without a vault?”

Paperwork and permits

Most families never see the paperwork because a funeral home handles it. But if you are arranging a burial directly with a cemetery, or exploring a home-directed or family-directed path, it helps to know what to expect: a death certificate, permission for disposition, and whatever cemetery paperwork applies to the chosen plot. Some municipal green burial programs explicitly require a death certificate at burial, as the Billings Mountview program does. See City of Billings Green Burials for the written requirement.

If your family is considering private land burial in a rural area, the rules can become county-specific and documentation-heavy. For example, Powell County’s guidance outlines steps like coroner contact, recorded notice, and documentation requirements. See Powell County: Burial of Persons on Private Property as an example of the kind of filings some counties require. The important takeaway is not that every county is identical; it’s that private-property burial should be approached as a legal and land-record question, not just a family preference.

How to find and vet a natural burial ground or hybrid cemetery near you in Montana

Because Montana is large and population is spread out, families often discover that the “best” option is the one that is both authentic and logistically workable. A practical approach is to search in two layers: first, look for known green-burial providers; then, ask conventional cemeteries whether they offer vaultless sections or would consider a hybrid policy for your case.

If you want a reputable starting point, the Green Burial Council Cemetery Provider Map is designed to help families find certified cemeteries by type (hybrid, natural, conservation). If you want a funeral home experienced in green options, the Green Burial Council Funeral Homes Provider Map is a parallel resource.

In-state options can also exist through municipal programs even if they do not call themselves “certified.” The City of Billings’ Mountview Cemetery has published requirements for green burials (including shroud or biodegradable casket and confirmation of no embalming). See Billings Mountview Cemetery Green Burials for the details.

When you call a cemetery or funeral home, the fastest way to find out whether the option is truly green is to ask specific, operational questions. A short list can save you hours of uncertainty:

• Is this a dedicated natural burial area, a hybrid section, or simply “green-friendly” policies within conventional plots?
• Is a vault or liner required? If not, what replaces it operationally (lowering device, board, tray, or other support)?
• What containers are allowed: shroud only, shroud with a board, wicker, cardboard, bamboo, simple pine, or other biodegradable materials?
• Are embalmed bodies permitted in the green section, and if not, what documentation is required to confirm non-embalming?
• What markers are permitted (native stone, flush marker, GPS mapping), and what are the rules about flowers, decorations, and maintenance?
• Is pricing transparent and itemized (plot, opening/closing, perpetual care, green burial surcharge, weekend fees, etc.)?
• What accessibility considerations matter for your family (winter access, distance from parking, terrain, time needed at graveside)?

If your local cemetery does not offer a green section, it may still be worth asking whether they allow a simpler burial without toxic embalming, and whether their vault policy has any flexibility. In many communities, “hybrid” options start because a few families ask consistent questions and the cemetery realizes it can meet that need with clear rules.

Pricing in Montana: typical cost components and what can raise or lower totals

Families searching green burial cost Montana or natural burial cost Montana are usually looking for clarity, not perfection. Green burial pricing can be lower than a conventional burial in some settings because it can reduce vault costs and sometimes reduces cemetery maintenance over time. But it can also be higher if the only available green option involves specialized travel, a limited number of plots, or a conservation model where burial fees fund land protection.

The most consistent way to think about cost is to separate cemetery costs from funeral home costs. Cemetery costs are usually the plot (or right of interment) plus opening/closing and related fees. Funeral home costs are professional services, transport into care, refrigeration, paperwork, and any ceremony coordination.

A concrete Montana example helps. In Billings’ Mountview Cemetery pricing, the City lists a traditional grave purchase price and separate opening/closing fees, and it notes that a vault is required for traditional caskets (with vaults available for purchase). It also lists a specific fee for vaultless “Green” burials, with the requirement that the person be interred in a wicker or cardboard casket or wrapped in a shroud. See City of Billings Cemetery Fees for the posted figures and definitions. If your family is planning within a similar municipal cemetery model, this is the pattern you will often see: standard plot and opening/closing charges, plus a defined policy and fee structure for vaultless burial.

Other common cost components you may see in Montana include:

• Plot or space purchase (or an additional fee if using a limited green area)
• Opening and closing (often higher for weekends, winter conditions, or overtime starts)
• Perpetual care or maintenance funds (sometimes structured differently in natural cemeteries)
• Container or shroud cost (often lower than premium caskets, but varies by material)
• Marker or memorialization (native stone, flush marker, or mapping fees)
• Funeral home coordination, transport, refrigeration, and required paperwork

What tends to raise totals in Montana is distance (transport time), winter conditions (grave opening logistics), weekend scheduling, and any plan that requires out-of-state services. What tends to lower totals is keeping the plan simple: refrigeration rather than embalming when permitted and workable, a shroud or simple biodegradable container, a weekday burial, and a cemetery that does not require a vault.

Eco-minded alternatives in Montana when green burial options are limited

Some families begin with a strong preference for full-body natural burial and then discover that the nearest natural burial ground is far away or not yet available. If that happens, it does not mean you have to abandon the values behind the choice. It usually means you shift to a “greener” plan inside what is feasible.

Greener practices within conventional cemeteries

If your family already owns a plot, ask whether the cemetery allows fewer synthetic materials, a simpler container, and a less chemical-heavy approach to body care. Even when a vault is required, you can often choose a simple casket, limit unnecessary materials, and keep the ceremony minimal and meaningful.

Cremation with eco-friendly memorial options

Some Montana families choose cremation because of distance, winter access, or family travel realities—and then keep the memorial choice grounded in nature. If that is your direction, Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection includes plantable options, natural-fiber urns, and water-soluble styles. If your family is still deciding between a primary urn and shared keepsakes, you may also find it helpful to compare cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, and keepsake urns in one place, because families often prefer a “keep some, scatter some” plan rather than a single all-or-nothing decision.

For water ceremonies, Funeral.com’s guide water burial and burial at sea explains what families need to know about planning and rules, and the U.S. EPA is the authoritative reference point for burial at sea requirements. If your family is wondering about keeping ashes at home while you decide, the article Keeping Cremation Ashes at Home can help you think through safety, timing, and practical storage choices.

If your family wants a wearable memorial, cremation necklaces and cremation jewelry are designed to hold a tiny symbolic amount of ashes. Funeral.com’s guide Cremation Jewelry 101 is a helpful starting point if you want the practical details before choosing anything.

And if your green-burial planning includes a beloved animal companion, Montana families often look for a consistent approach across the family. Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes include options ranging from classic styles to pet figurine cremation urns and pet keepsake cremation urns for families who want to share or keep a small portion close.

Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) and natural organic reduction

Families also ask about newer options such as alkaline hydrolysis Montana (also called aquamation) and natural organic reduction Montana (often called human composting). The challenge is that legality and availability vary by state and can change over time. In Montana, the Legislature has explicitly recognized that existing statutes do not currently include provisions for other methods of final disposition such as natural organic reduction or alkaline hydrolysis, as stated in the text of an enrolled interim study resolution. See the Montana Legislature PDF at Combination of Interim Study Bill Text (HJ 27) for the language about these methods not being included in existing statute.

What that means in real life is that some families who want these methods pursue them out-of-state, working with a Montana funeral home for initial care and transport. For example, Recompose notes that no human composting facilities exist in Montana and describes serving Montana residents by coordinating transport to Seattle. See Recompose: Human Composting in Montana for how their model works and typical transport cost ranges they cite. If your family is considering an out-of-state method, ask for a written, itemized estimate that includes transport, refrigeration, permits, and the receiving provider’s fees, and ask where the process physically occurs before you sign anything.

Provider checklist: questions to ask the cemetery and the funeral home

Cemetery checklist

• Is this a dedicated natural burial area, a hybrid green section, or conventional plots with some greener allowances?
• Are vaults or liners required? If not, what are the practical handling rules for shrouds and biodegradable containers?
• What containers are approved (shroud, shroud with board, cardboard, wicker, bamboo, simple pine), and what materials are prohibited?
• What is required for proof of non-embalming?
• How are graves marked (flush marker, native stone, GPS mapping), and what are decoration and maintenance rules?
• Can you provide a written, itemized price list (plot, opening/closing, perpetual care, green burial fees, weekend/overtime charges)?

Funeral home checklist

• Can you support a green burial without embalming using refrigeration and timely coordination?
• What is your plan for transport logistics in winter or long-distance cases?
• Will you coordinate directly with the cemetery on container rules and documentation?
• Can you provide the General Price List and a written estimate with cash-advance items clearly separated?
• If we’re considering out-of-state options (aquamation or natural organic reduction), what providers do you work with and what is the transport plan?

FAQs about green burial in Montana