Are you interested in ways to memorialize someone while also preserving the planet? Natural burials are becoming more common as people opt for eco-friendly funeral services that are gentle on the environment.
But what is the cost of a natural burial? We have got you. In this blog post, we will explore various factors influencing the natural burial cost and how much generally it costs in the USA.
What is a Natural Burial?
A green funeral or natural burial is a biodegradable funeral that is friendly to nature to avoid polluting the ecosystem. The purpose of environmental management is to reduce any action that can cause harm to the planet.
Here are the key aspects of a natural burial:
- No Embalming: It does not go through an intense chemical process to embalm the body but leaves it to decompose naturally.
- Biodegradable Caskets: No non-renewable material, like metal, plastics or fibreglass is used in the manufacture of caskets; but only biodegradable materials such as untreated wood, wicker or simple shrouds are used.
- No Vaults: The body is not buried in a concrete or metal burial vault instead, the body returns directly to the earth.
- Natural Markers: Sometimes the body is buried in a simple biodegradable coffin or wrapped in a shroud with natural installations such as flat stones, plants or trees serving to mark the grave.
- Eco-Friendly Practices: The whole practice has been equipped with low carbon emissions and thus there is little pollution involved in the whole process.
What is the Cost of a Natural Burial?
Different factors determine the cost of a natural burial. These may include if you prefer to have a funeral or an open viewing, location of the burial and other services.
Some services and costs are not included in green burials. For example, there is no need for embalming and casket treatment. This makes green burial a cheaper option. They can be less expensive than the average $2,597 for a standard funeral or $9,420 for a traditional burial.
Average Cost of a Natural Burial
A natural burial costs less than an average burial, and the price ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. Let’s break this down:
1- Burial Plot
The costs of burial cemeteries that have natural grounds range between $500 and $2000. The price of caskets is determined by the geographic area and the rules and regulations of the cemetery. However, prices might be lower in rural areas as compared to urban areas.
2- Casket
The price of a biodegradable casket ranges from $200 to 1,500 dollars. Some of the common choices for constructing the casket are wicker, cardboard, and untreated wood. Some may also go for a shroud and this may be cheaper for them as compared to other accessories.
3- Grave Marker
Natural markers are inexpensive. For instance, an inexpensive grave marker may just be a stone or a wooden plate that may be over $50 and go up to $ 200. Some even make no allowance for tombstones with restrictions that only flat stones or plants should be used.
4- Additional Services
These services may include body preparation, transportation, and ceremonies which further expand the charges. The on-guard services generally include the package services which may cost anything between $300 to $1500.
Cost Comparison Between Natural and Traditional Burials
Natural burials are usually lower as compared to traditional burials as they don’t involve certain services. Here is a cost breakdown of both burials to get an estimate:
| Services/Products | Green Burial Cost | Direct Burial Cost |
| Remains removal/transfer | $350 | $350 |
| Burial permit | $10-$30 | $10-$30 |
| Casket | $0-$1,500 | $2,500-$3,000 |
| Cemetery plot | $3,581 | $3,581 |
| Grave liner | $0 | $750-$1,000 |
| Grave marker | $100 | $2,000 |
What are the Benefits of Natural Burials?
Natural or green burials offer several benefits for you as well as our environment. Here are some of the key benefits:
1- Environmental Impact
Natural burials minimize the use of dangerous chemicals which can pollute both soil and groundwater systems by seeping. Moreover, they also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere through the manufacturing of conventional caskets and vaults.
2- Cost-Effectiveness
Compared to the traditional burial services that require such accessories as expensive caskets and burial vaults and the need to embalm a body, green burials are relatively cheaper. It can help alleviate some financial burdens, especially in a period of crisis.
3- Personalization
Similar to other burials, green burial gives the families a chance to develop ceremonies that befit the deceased’s life and spirit. It can bring comfort and determination to the family members who are grieving the death of their loved ones.
4- Community Support
Going for a natural burial also ensures that the burying requirements do not disturb the ecosystems by preserving novel natural landscapes. The reserved graves for those who want an environmentally friendly funeral become homes to wildlife hence enhancing the bio-diversity.
5- Simplicity and Peace
The reason, green burial can be seen as a simple activity that at the same time can help to bring peace to the dead person and the ones close to them. It also helps do away with the complex and sometimes stressful funeral plans that are otherwise needed when a body is sick.
6- Alignment with Values
People opt for natural burials in the same way that they choose their lifestyles, to suit their beliefs and philosophy on sustainable living. This decision can also give a purpose and certain satisfaction to the person taking it consolation.
Alternatives to Natural Burials
Although natural burial seems to be a perfect choice for lovers of green burial, several other options are also environment-friendly. Here are some options:
- Water Cremation (Aquamation): This process is shorter than some of the more conventional methods, as water is used instead of fire to cremate the body.
Tree Pod Burial: The body is placed in a capsule that is made from environment-friendly materials so that it is buried and a tree is planted on top of it. The tree grows tall when the body supplies its nutrients during the decomposing process. - Home Funeral: Families do not have to embalm the remains if they want to keep the body at the home after dying. This is because some families prefer to have these services done at their homes, giving a close and intimate farewell.
- Reef Burial: The ashes are incorporated into concrete and then set into the sea after the structure has been formed to provide a habitat for aquatic life.
- Body Donation to Science: Burial or cremation can be a costly affair, but donating the body to medical schools or research centers goes a long way to the development of scientific research. It also cuts costs on the environmental expenses of cremation or burial.
- Alkaline Hydrolysis: In a similar way to water cremation, the process involves using water and some chemicals, after which only bones are left which are then handed over to the family.
The Bottom Line
The cost of a natural burial is lower as compared to conventional burial methods and it is also environmentally friendly. They cost between $1,000 and $4,000 which makes them cheaper, easier and environmentally friendly than traditional burial. Still, learning cost factors helps in making the core, proper decisions for yourself. As it is important to choose a burial that reflects your values and is also affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What is the cheapest type of burial?
The cheapest type of burial is direct burial or through cremation, meaning a cheaper way to bury involves cremating the body of the deceased.
2- What is the cheapest eco-friendly burial?
The cheapest burial type is a burial vessel, including an eco-friendly one, made from biodegradable cardboard, and will cost between $50 and $500. Caskets built with natural wood, often pine, can be an inexpensive option to consider, beginning at $500.
3- Are natural burials legal in the US?
Yes, natural burial is legal in every state in the United States of America though standard requirements differ according to the region. For instance, some of the states do not allow natural burial to be conducted in areas other than the official cemetery and burial grounds while in other states it is allowed but only if the land meets the condition of the set laws and regulations.
