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

In Wyoming, people are used to wide horizons and straightforward choices. So when a family starts searching green burial Wyoming or natural burial Wyoming, it’s usually not because they want something trendy. It’s because they want something honest: fewer chemicals, fewer permanent materials, and a goodbye that feels aligned with the way their loved one lived.

That interest is happening alongside a broader shift in how Americans think about disposition. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be higher than burial and continues trending upward. And on the “green” side of the conversation, the NFDA’s statistics page notes that a majority of consumers report interest in exploring green options. Wyoming families often hold both truths at once: you may be comparing burial and cremation, but you also may be trying to keep the environmental footprint gentle and the planning practical.

This guide is a Wyoming-focused walkthrough of green burial options Wyoming families commonly consider in 2026: what “green” typically means here, the main cemetery types you’ll encounter, what costs are made of, and how to vet a natural burial ground Wyoming families can realistically use (including hybrid sections inside conventional cemeteries). It also covers alternatives that come up in searches—like alpine hydrolysis Wyoming and aquamation Wyoming—and how to confirm what’s legal and actually available.

What “green burial” usually means in Wyoming in 2026

At its simplest, green burial is about allowing natural decomposition with minimal environmental impact. The Green Burial Council describes green burial as prioritizing biodegradable containers and typically avoiding a burial vault, alongside practices that forgo toxic embalming and reduce long-lasting materials.

In Wyoming, the family’s real-world experience often comes down to two realities: what the cemetery requires, and what the timeline allows. Wyoming’s Board of Funeral Service Practitioners has a rule that when a body is in the possession of a licensed funeral service practitioner or funeral director, the body must be properly refrigerated, cremated, chemically disposed, buried, or embalmed within 36 hours after receipt. That matters because it means “no embalming” usually pairs with refrigeration and clear scheduling rather than rushing or improvising.

The other foundational Wyoming detail is paperwork. State law requires a burial-transit permit prior to final disposition or removal from the state, and the permit is issued through the local registrar once the death certificate filing requirements are met. This is true whether the disposition is conventional or green. Green burial does not remove paperwork; it changes the choices you make around body care, containers, and cemetery requirements.

The cemetery types Wyoming families encounter

When people search green cemetery Wyoming or hybrid cemetery Wyoming, they’re often looking for a single “green cemetery list.” In practice, you’ll encounter several cemetery models, and understanding the differences can save you from heartbreak later.

Natural burial grounds

A natural burial Wyoming plan is easiest when the burial ground is designed for it. The Green Burial Council defines a Natural Burial Ground as a cemetery dedicated in full to sustainable practices, generally prohibiting toxic chemicals, vault parts, non-native stone markers, and burial containers that are not made from natural or plant-derived materials. In plain language, natural burial grounds are built to be vault-free and biodegradable-by-default.

Conservation burial grounds

Conservation burial Wyoming searches are common because the idea resonates with Wyoming values: leave the land better than you found it. The Green Burial Council describes Conservation Burial Grounds as a type of natural cemetery established in partnership with a conservation organization and protected long-term via a conservation easement or deed restriction. In other words, the burial fees help fund land protection as part of the model.

Hybrid cemeteries and green sections

A hybrid cemetery Wyoming family might use is often the most accessible “middle path.” Hybrid cemeteries are conventional cemeteries that offer the essential aspects of natural burial, either in a designated section or sometimes across the cemetery. The Green Burial Council notes that GBC-certified hybrids do not require vaults and must allow eco-friendly biodegradable containers such as shrouds and soft wood caskets.

Conventional cemeteries that allow greener practices

Many Wyoming families already have a plot in a conventional cemetery, or want a familiar location close to town. Even if the cemetery is not “green-certified,” you may still be able to make choices that are meaningfully greener—especially around embalming and container material. The caution is that conventional cemetery rules can create the biggest gap between what you want and what is permitted, particularly around outer burial containers.

What makes a burial “green” in Wyoming

When families search eco friendly burial Wyoming or green funeral Wyoming, they usually want to know what’s actually required versus what’s just tradition or sales momentum. The answer is that “green” is a set of choices—most of them negotiable—inside a framework of state law and cemetery policy.

Embalming. In Wyoming, embalming is not a default legal requirement for burial. What matters more is timing and preservation methods. If you’re working with a licensed funeral professional, Wyoming’s rules require the body to be refrigerated, buried, cremated, chemically disposed, or embalmed within 36 hours of receipt. For many green burials, refrigeration is the practical bridge that gives family time for travel and ceremony planning without embalming.

Vaults and liners. The phrase vault requirement green burial Wyoming shows up in searches because people worry they’ll be forced into a concrete vault. The key distinction is “law” versus “cemetery policy.” The Green Burial Council is explicit that vaults are not required by law, but cemeteries may require them as a rule for maintenance and grave subsidence. Natural burial grounds and certified green sections typically prohibit vaults and liners, because they interfere with decomposition and introduce non-biodegradable materials.

Biodegradable caskets vs. shrouds. A biodegradable casket Wyoming family chooses might be bamboo, wicker/willow, unfinished wood, fiberboard, or other biodegradable materials. A shroud burial Wyoming plan can be even simpler: a body wrapped in natural fabric, sometimes with a support board or simple tray for carrying and lowering. What matters is the cemetery’s policy. If you want a calm primer on what families typically buy and what to ask before you commit, Funeral.com’s Journal has practical guides on biodegradable caskets and eco-friendly coffins and burial shrouds.

Grave depth and markers. Families often worry about wildlife, smell, or whether a green grave is “deep enough.” The Green Burial Council notes that burial depth varies by state and regulation, but many standards center on having at least two feet of soil above the container, often resulting in graves around 3.5 feet deep with a “smell barrier.” Marker policies vary as well. The same GBC FAQ notes that many green cemeteries use GPS coordinates, flat native stones, mapping systems, or other low-impact approaches rather than upright monuments.

Paperwork and permits. Wyoming requires a burial-transit permit prior to final disposition. Under Wyoming law, the funeral director (or person acting as such) who first assumes custody must obtain the permit within 72 hours after death, and the permit is issued by the local registrar where the death certificate is filed. Even in a green plan, that permit is part of the normal path. If you’re comparing disposition options, it helps to remember that Wyoming law also recognizes “chemical disposition” as a form of disposition under Title 33, which is part of why alkaline hydrolysis is treated as a regulated option in the state.

How to find and vet a natural burial ground or green section serving Wyoming

Because Wyoming is large and population centers are spread out, “near me” often means “within a few hours.” The most reliable starting point is a directory built around standards. The Green Burial Council’s cemetery provider map is designed for that purpose, and it can help you find certified natural, hybrid, and conservation burial providers.

Whether you’re evaluating a certified site or a conventional cemetery claiming to “allow green burials,” you’ll save stress by asking a few questions early and getting answers in writing. A green burial plan can derail late if the cemetery requires a vault, prohibits shrouds, restricts materials, or limits timing and access for the burial itself.

• Do you require an outer burial container (vault or liner), and if so, is there an exception for a green section?
• Are shroud burial Wyoming plans allowed, and if so, do you require a support board, tray, or rigid carrying structure?
• What materials are approved for a biodegradable casket Wyoming purchase (unfinished wood, wicker/willow, bamboo, fiberboard, etc.)?
• How is the grave marked: GPS coordinates, flat native stone, a central memorial, or something else?
• What are your rules on plantings, flowers, decorations, and non-native items left at the grave?
• Do you maintain native landscaping and restrict herbicides/pesticides, and what does that look like in practice?
• Are there accessibility constraints (seasonal roads, distance from parking, slope, snow conditions), and can the cemetery accommodate elderly or disabled visitors?
• Can you provide a clear, itemized price list that separates the plot/space, opening/closing, and any cemetery administrative fees?
• If the burial is in winter or on a holiday/weekend, what changes—fees, scheduling, or required staffing?

Green burial costs in Wyoming: what you’re really paying for

Families often search green burial cost Wyoming or natural burial cost Wyoming hoping for a single number. The honest answer is that green burial can be less, similar, or more expensive than conventional burial depending on what you choose and where you do it. A natural burial ground may cost more per plot than a rural cemetery, but you may avoid costs associated with vaults, expensive caskets, and embalming.

It can help to anchor expectations with one national benchmark, even if Wyoming totals vary widely by county and provider. The NFDA reports a national median cost of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial (2023) and $6,280 for a comparable funeral with cremation. That’s not a Wyoming “average,” but it helps families understand how service level and merchandise typically shape totals.

For a Wyoming green burial, most totals are built from the same set of components:

• Burial space (plot, natural burial space, or conservation burial space)
• Opening and closing (including grave digging, equipment, and staffing)
• Body care and holding (refrigeration, washing/dressing, and sheltering)
• Transportation (especially significant in rural areas or long distances)
• Container choice (shroud, simple wood container, or biodegradable casket)
• Marker or memorial approach (or an intentional choice to forgo a marker)
• Administrative fees (paperwork handling, permit processing, cemetery fees)
• Optional ceremony and staffing (graveside service coordination, clergy/celebrant, tent/chairs, etc.)

What tends to raise totals in Wyoming is distance, urgency, winter logistics, and choosing a higher-service funeral model (like a staffed visitation) on top of a green burial. What tends to lower totals is choosing a simple graveside service, using refrigeration instead of embalming, selecting a shroud or simple biodegradable container, and choosing a cemetery that does not require a vault or liner.

Eco-minded alternatives Wyoming families ask about

Some families start with natural burial options Wyoming and then pivot because of distance, timing, or availability. Others want a greener alternative but don’t have access to a natural burial ground within reasonable travel distance. In Wyoming, three “adjacent” paths come up most often.

Green sections inside conventional cemeteries. If your family has an existing plot, ask whether the cemetery will allow vault-free burial, a shroud, or a simple biodegradable container. Even when the answer is “no” for a fully vault-free plan, some cemeteries offer partial compromises that reduce the footprint while still meeting their groundskeeping policies.

Cremation with eco-friendly memorialization. If cremation becomes the practical choice, you can still keep the plan environmentally gentle and emotionally meaningful. Families often choose biodegradable scattering tubes or water-soluble urns for ceremonies, or select a simple permanent urn for home. Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection is designed specifically for soil placement (where permitted), scattering, and water ceremonies. If you’re trying to connect cremation planning to “what now,” Funeral.com also has helpful Wyoming-specific context in its Wyoming cremation guide, plus practical resources on keeping ashes at home and water burial and burial at sea. If multiple family members want a personal keepsake, keepsake urns and cremation necklaces can be part of a thoughtful sharing plan without turning the decision into a sales pitch.

Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation / “water cremation”). Searches for aquamation Wyoming, alkaline hydrolysis Wyoming, and even the misspelled alpine hydrolysis Wyoming are increasingly common. Under Wyoming’s Funeral Service Practitioners Act, the state distinguishes cremation (heat-based) from “chemical disposition,” and defines chemical disposition as a process that reduces a deceased human body to a powder using materials other than heat and evaporation. Wyoming’s administrative rules also include requirements for chemical disposition facilities using alkaline hydrolysis. In practical terms, that means alkaline hydrolysis is a regulated option in Wyoming, but availability depends on whether a permitted facility actually operates within reasonable distance of your family. To confirm availability, ask the provider directly whether they are operating as a licensed chemical disposition facility and whether the arrangement includes a burial-transit permit and next-of-kin authorization consistent with Wyoming rules.

Natural organic reduction (human composting). People also search natural organic reduction Wyoming and human composting Wyoming. As of 2026, Wyoming is not listed among the states where human composting has been legalized on the state-by-state list published by Recompose. If this option matters to your family, the most responsible approach is to confirm current legality through Wyoming legislative updates and the Wyoming State Board of Funeral Service Practitioners, because laws can change and availability can lag even after legalization.

Provider checklist for Wyoming families

When you’re grieving, it’s easy to assume “green” is either permitted or it isn’t. In reality, it’s usually permitted in some form, but the details decide whether the plan feels peaceful or becomes stressful. These questions are designed to keep the conversation clear and kind, while protecting your family from last-minute surprises.

Cemetery checklist

• Confirm vault/liner rules in writing, including any green-section exceptions.
• Confirm whether shrouds are allowed and whether a rigid support is required for transport/lowering.
• Confirm approved container materials and any limits on finishes, fabrics, or adhesives.
• Ask how graves are marked and whether the cemetery uses GPS mapping or flat markers.
• Ask about seasonal access, winter burial policies, and additional fees for timing constraints.
• Request an itemized price list that separates space, opening/closing, and administrative fees.

Funeral home checklist

• Confirm embalming is optional for your plan and discuss refrigeration and timing instead.
• Ask how the funeral home handles the burial-transit permit and death certificate process.
• Ask whether they will work with a cemetery that is not “traditional” (natural or conservation grounds).
• Ask for a written total that separates professional services from third-party cash-advance items.
• If you’re considering alkaline hydrolysis, confirm the provider’s licensing and the facility’s operational availability.

Wyoming green burial FAQs