Green burial.
A simple return to the earth, the way people were buried for most of history.
About 2 minutes to read
Green burial lays the body in the earth as simply as possible: no embalming, a shroud or plain wood casket, and no concrete vault, so the ground can take it back naturally.
What makes it green
- No embalming. Cooling keeps the body until the burial.
- A shroud or plain casket, of wood, wicker or cloth, that returns to the earth
- No vault, so the ground settles on its own
- A natural marker, like a flat stone, a native plant or a tree
Where it can happen
In a natural burial ground, some of which protect the land for good. In a green section of a conventional cemetery. Sometimes on family land, where local rules allow.
Read more: faith and green burial
Jewish and Muslim burial traditions already follow many of the same customs: no embalming, a simple shroud or wood casket, and burial soon after death.
In your plan, you’ll decide
- A natural burial ground, or a green section of a cemetery
- A shroud or a simple wood casket
- A marker: a flat stone, a plant or a tree
- Who gathers, and what is said at the grave
Make it part of your plan.
Start from our green burial sample, and change anything.