How to Pre-Plan a Green Funeral: Natural Burial Options, Materials, and Questions to Ask

Most people don’t pre-plan a funeral because they want to think about death. They do it because they love their family, and they don’t want their family forced into rushed decisions, confusing rules, or “close enough” compromises at the worst possible time. When your goal is a lower-impact goodbye, that clarity matters even more—because “green” can mean very different things depending on the cemetery, the funeral home, and even your local regulations.

Pre plan green funeral decisions are less about buying the “right” item and more about making sure your wishes are permitted, realistic, and easy for your family to follow later. The most compassionate version of green funeral planning is the one that leaves your loved ones with fewer phone calls, fewer surprises, and a simple plan they can carry out with confidence.

What “green funeral” really means (and why definitions matter)

Families often picture a “green funeral” as something rustic, simple, and natural—maybe a shroud, a meadow, or a forested cemetery. That picture can be accurate, but it’s not the whole story. The Green Burial Council explains green burial as an approach that prioritizes a natural return to the earth, typically avoiding embalming and using biodegradable materials. In practice, that usually means fewer chemicals, fewer permanent materials, and fewer requirements for concrete vaults or metal caskets.

This is why natural burial planning starts with vocabulary. Some cemeteries offer “green options” inside an otherwise conventional cemetery. Others are dedicated natural burial grounds. Some go even further, aligning burial with land conservation. Those differences shape what you can choose—down to whether a vault is required, whether a headstone is allowed, and what materials are permitted.

Start with the place, not the product

It’s tempting to begin with a biodegradable casket or a burial shroud. But your cemetery’s rules determine what is actually allowed—so the best order of operations is: choose the cemetery or burial ground, confirm the rules in writing, and then choose the container and care plan that match those rules.

If you’re still exploring, it helps to look for providers who follow established guidelines. The Green Burial Council describes categories of green cemeteries and the characteristics that tend to separate them from conventional burial grounds. Their cemetery provider map can be a practical starting point when you’re trying to figure out what exists near you.

If your preferred cemetery is a traditional one, ask a very specific question: “Do you allow burial without a vault or liner?” Many people find that a green cemetery experience is possible inside a conventional cemetery if the cemetery allows a no-vault burial area (sometimes called a hybrid section). But you don’t want your family learning about vault requirements after you’ve already written your plan.

Body care choices: no-embalming plans, refrigeration, and what’s actually required

One of the most misunderstood parts of green funeral planning is embalming. People sometimes assume embalming is legally required, or that they can’t have any kind of visitation without it. In reality, the Federal Trade Commission is clear that embalming is generally not required by law except in certain special cases. Embalming may be necessary if you choose certain arrangements, such as a public viewing, but families often have alternatives—especially when timing is planned thoughtfully.

A no embalming burial plan often relies on a simple timeline and a simple method of temporary preservation. Refrigeration is common. Some families choose a smaller, more private visitation window. Others plan a memorial service without the body present, which can create more scheduling flexibility while still honoring the person fully.

Pre-planning helps you decide what matters most to you: Is it the environmental goal of avoiding embalming chemicals? Is it the emotional goal of giving your family time to gather and say goodbye? Often you can do both—if you document your preferences clearly and choose providers who can support them.

Natural burial options: shrouds, simple caskets, and the “what counts as biodegradable” question

Natural burial is sometimes described as “simple,” but the decisions inside that simplicity still matter. The core idea is that the body returns to the earth with minimal interference. That typically means no metal casket, no concrete vault, and a container (or wrap) that will break down over time.

If your plan includes a burial shroud, ask the cemetery whether a rigid container is still required. Some cemeteries allow shroud-only burial. Others require a simple biodegradable casket or a support tray for safe handling. There’s no universal answer, and you don’t want your family forced into last-minute substitutions.

If you prefer a biodegradable casket, focus on materials and construction details. The most cemetery-friendly options are often made from unfinished wood, bamboo, wicker, or other natural fibers. What tends to cause problems are synthetic liners, heavy varnishes, metal hardware, or composite materials that don’t break down cleanly. If your values are “natural, low-impact, and permitted,” then your best move is to match the material to the cemetery’s written rules.

If you want a Funeral.com resource that stays practical and non-abstract, the Journal guide Eco-Friendly Caskets and Shrouds walks through materials and cemetery fit in a way families can actually use while planning.

When a green plan includes cremation: urn materials, water burial, and keeping ashes at home

Many families come to green planning through cremation. Sometimes it’s because cremation is more accessible. Sometimes it’s because the person wanted simplicity. And sometimes it’s because the family wants options—time to decide, time to travel, time to plan a ceremony that feels right.

On the national level, cremation has become the most common choice in the U.S., and it continues to rise. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, compared with a projected burial rate of 31.6%. The Cremation Association of North America reports a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% in 2024 and projects 67.9% by 2029. Those numbers don’t tell you what you should choose—but they do explain why more families are searching for lower-impact ways to handle what to do with ashes.

If your plan includes cremation, the “green” part often shows up in what happens next. Some families choose a biodegradable urn designed for earth placement. Others choose water burial with an urn made to dissolve appropriately. Some families choose a home memorial for a period of time and decide later.

For families who want a lower-impact container, Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection is designed around earth-burial and water-soluble options that are meant to return gently to nature. If you want to understand materials more clearly before you choose, the Journal guide Biodegradable Urns for Ashes breaks down what “biodegradable” really means in real-life use.

If you’re considering a ceremony at sea, Funeral.com also has calm, practical guidance on water burial and burial at sea, including the planning details families usually wish they had known earlier.

And if your plan includes keeping ashes at home—even temporarily—that is often a gentle, valid “for now” choice. Funeral.com’s guide Keeping Ashes at Home can help you think through safety, household preferences, and what your longer-term options might be without pressure.

How urns, keepsakes, and jewelry fit into a sustainable plan

Some people hear “sustainability” and assume it means “no objects, no keepsakes, no memorial items.” But green planning is not a purity test. It’s about aligning choices with your values and reducing unnecessary impact where you can. For many families, that still includes a meaningful container for ashes, a shared keepsake, or something wearable that provides comfort.

If your plan includes a primary urn, Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is a broad starting point. If you’re planning to share ashes among family members, Small Cremation Urns for Ashes and Keepsake Urns can support a “share plan” that still feels organized and respectful. When families want something personal and close, cremation jewelry can play that role, and Funeral.com’s Cremation Necklaces collection is designed for small, symbolic portions.

If your green planning includes a beloved animal companion, the same approach applies: clarity, capacity, and a plan your household can follow. Funeral.com’s Pet Urns for Ashes collection includes a wide range of materials and sizes, while Pet Figurine Cremation Urns and Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns support more specific memorial styles for families who want something that feels deeply “them.”

Documenting your wishes so your family can follow them later

The most loving part of eco friendly funeral preplanning is not the product choice—it’s the paperwork and the communication. Your family should not have to interpret your values while grieving. They should have a simple document that says what you want and who to call.

At minimum, write down:

• Your chosen disposition (natural burial, cremation, or another option) and the name of the cemetery or provider.
• Whether you want a no embalming burial plan, and what you prefer instead (refrigeration, private viewing window, memorial without the body present).
• Your container preference (for example, biodegradable casket or burial shroud), plus any “not this” notes (no metal, no vault, no synthetic liner).
• Your ceremony preferences (location, tone, music, readings, who speaks, and whether you want flowers or a donation option).
• Who has legal authority to carry out the plan, and where the document can be found.

Pre-planning also gives you a chance to choose what you want your family to do if something becomes impractical. For example: “If the cemetery requires a simple rigid container for handling, choose the simplest biodegradable option that meets the rule.” That single sentence can prevent conflict and keep your plan intact even when reality adds constraints.

Cost expectations: what “green” changes (and what it doesn’t)

Some families assume green burial is always cheaper. Sometimes it is—especially when you’re avoiding vault requirements and selecting simpler materials. Sometimes it isn’t, particularly in conservation-focused settings with limited plots or special land stewardship costs. The more honest framing is: green planning can reduce some categories of expense, but pricing is still local and provider-dependent.

If your plan includes cremation and you’re trying to budget responsibly, it helps to understand total cost beyond the cremation itself. The NFDA reports that the national median cost of a funeral with cremation in 2023 was $6,280 (compared with $8,300 for burial with viewing). For a family-level, plain-language guide to how much does cremation cost and what commonly changes the total, Funeral.com’s Journal article How Much Does Cremation Cost? can help you plan without getting lost in fine print.

Green burial questions to ask before you commit

These green burial questions are the difference between a plan that sounds good and a plan your family can actually execute. If you ask nothing else, ask these—and write down the answers.

• Do you allow burial without a vault or liner, and is that policy available in writing?
• Do you allow shroud burial, or do you require a biodegradable casket or support tray for handling?
• Do you allow burial without embalming, and what is your timeline requirement for refrigeration or other care?
• What materials are permitted (unfinished wood, bamboo, wicker, natural fiber, no metal, no synthetic liner), and are there restrictions on hardware or finishes?
• What markers are allowed (flat stone, native plantings, GPS mapping, shared memorial wall), and what maintenance is required?
• Are there rules about who can be present for lowering or grave closure, and can family participate?
• What fees should families expect (opening/closing, administrative, perpetual care, weekend scheduling), and what is optional?
• If cremation is part of the plan, what are the rules for burying an urn, scattering on-site, or placing ashes in a niche?

FAQ

If you take nothing else from this guide, take this: your family doesn’t need perfection—they need clarity. A green plan that is written down, permitted by the cemetery, and easy to follow is one of the kindest gifts you can leave behind.