In a natural burial, the body is kept cool rather than embalmed, wrapped in a shroud or placed in a simple biodegradable casket, and buried directly in the earth without a vault, usually in a meadow or woodland cemetery. The grave is often shallower than a conventional one, family members can take part in the burial, and the site is marked with a natural stone or native plants rather than a large headstone. Over time the body returns to the soil and the grave becomes part of the landscape.
This guide follows the process step by step, from the time of death to visiting the grave years later. For the bigger picture, including costs and the types of green cemeteries, see what green burial is.
Step 1: Choosing a natural burial ground
The first decision is where. Options include:
- Natural burial grounds, dedicated entirely to green burial
- Conservation burial grounds, which also permanently protect the land, usually with a land trust
- Hybrid sections within conventional cemeteries that allow vault-free, embalming-free burial
You can browse natural burial grounds and green cemeteries in the directory, or search near you with the near me page. Many people choose a site in advance and visit it first, which is especially helpful because natural cemeteries vary a lot in look and rules.
Step 2: Caring for the body without embalming
Natural burial skips conventional embalming. Instead, the body is kept cool until the burial, using:
- Refrigeration at a funeral home or other facility
- Dry ice or cooling packs, commonly used when the family keeps the body at home for a vigil or home funeral
Because the body isn't embalmed, the burial usually happens within a few days. That said, cooling allows time for family to gather and for a viewing if you want one. Some traditions, such as Jewish and Muslim burial, already call for prompt burial without embalming.
Families can use a funeral home that is familiar with green burial, or in most states handle much of the care themselves. Rules about paperwork, permits and who may transport a body vary by state, so check what applies where you are.
Step 3: Washing and dressing
Many families find meaning in washing and dressing the body themselves, sometimes with a funeral director's guidance. Clothing should be made of natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool or silk, since synthetics don't break down easily. Some families prefer simple wrapping without clothing.
Religious communities often have their own practices here. Jewish communities may use a chevra kadisha (a burial society) to perform tahara, a ritual washing, and dress the body in simple white shrouds. Muslim communities perform ghusl, a ritual washing, and wrap the body in plain white cloth.
Step 4: Choosing a shroud or casket
Natural burial grounds require containers that fully biodegrade. Common options:
| Container | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shroud | A large cloth wrapping, often cotton, linen, wool or silk | Usually used with a board or carrier for support when lowering |
| Plain wooden casket | Untreated pine or other local wood, with wooden pegs or simple fastenings | No metal hardware, varnish or synthetic lining |
| Woven casket | Wicker, willow, seagrass, bamboo or banana leaf | Light, natural look |
| Cardboard casket | Heavy-duty cardboard, sometimes decorated by family | Often the lowest-cost option |
Some cemeteries also accept home-made caskets or shrouds as long as they meet their material rules. Ask before buying.
Step 5: Preparing the grave
Graves in natural burial grounds are dug by hand or with small machinery, depending on the cemetery and the soil. Many natural burial grounds dig graves shallower than conventional ones, often around three and a half to four feet deep, so the body rests in the upper layer of soil where microorganisms, insects and roots are most active. The grave must still meet the state's rules for soil cover.
There is no vault, liner or concrete box. The body goes directly into the ground. Some cemeteries line the grave with evergreen boughs or flowers before the burial.
Step 6: The burial
Natural burials often feel more hands-on and personal than conventional ones. Families commonly:
- Carry the body to the grave, sometimes on a bier or with a simple cart
- Lower the shroud or casket themselves using straps or ropes
- Place flowers, soil or letters in the grave
- Help fill the grave with shovels, alone or with cemetery staff
Any ceremony is welcome, from a full religious service to a few words among friends. Because the setting is outdoors, the weather and the season can shape the day, so it is worth asking about shelter, seating and walking distances.
Once the grave is filled, the soil is usually mounded over it. The mound settles over the following months as the container and body break down.
Step 7: Marking the grave
Natural burial grounds take different approaches to markers:
- Flat fieldstones, sometimes engraved with a name and dates
- Native trees, shrubs or wildflowers planted on or near the grave
- No visible marker at all, with the location recorded on a map
Almost all natural burial grounds record each grave's location precisely, often with GPS coordinates, so the family can always find it again. Ask for a copy of the map or coordinates for your records. Upright polished headstones are rarely allowed in natural and conservation grounds, although hybrid sections in conventional cemeteries may be more flexible. Our guide on headstones vs grave markers explains the different types.
Step 8: The land over time
Over the months and years after burial, the body and container return to the soil. The cemetery manages the land as a natural area, typically with native plants, limited mowing and no pesticides. In conservation burial grounds, the fees help pay for protecting and restoring habitat, often with long-term legal protection for the land.
Visiting a natural burial ground can feel more like visiting a park or nature reserve. Paths may be mowed trails rather than paved roads, and the grave will look different with each season.
Can cremated remains have a natural burial?
Many natural burial grounds accept cremated remains, usually buried in a biodegradable urn or placed directly in the soil. Cremated remains don't decompose the way a body does; they are mostly mineral and can be quite alkaline, so some cemeteries have specific rules about how and where they are buried. See burial vs cremation for a broader comparison.