Frequently Asked Questions
What is green burial?
Green burial is burial that can take place without the use of formaldehyde-based
embalming, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults. It's essentially the way most
of humanity has cared for its dead for thousands of years up until the late 19th century.
In some instances, green burial can also be used to facilitate ecological restoration and
landscape-level conservation.
How can green burial bring about restoration or conservation?
The Green Burial Council requires that its certified conservation burial grounds engage in
both restoration planning and stewardship. Our Natural Burial Grounds (hyperlink) are required
to have in place a deed restriction to ensure that a green cemetery now remains one in the future.
GBC Conservation Burial Grounds (hyperlink) are required to have a conservation easement held
by an established land trust. The key to success we believe is in requiring transparency
and accountability, and a system of checks and balances.
What's so bad with a green cemetery that isn't certified?
What if a cemetery operator decides, despite representations they may have made to the public
that they want to accommodate conventional burial in a place that was to have been permanently
protected as a natural area? What if the operator increases the density to a level that would
degrade the local ecosystem? What if the operator sells the cemetery to someone who doesn't
have an ethic rooted in ecological responsibility, or an entity which has no interest in continuing
to run the facility as a green burial ground? There are too many potential ways a green cemetery
can devolve, which is why having independent, third party certification is so important.
What's wrong with embalming?
The Council doesn't think any end-of-life ritual or disposition option is "wrong." We only want to
ensure that services/products are available to people who wish to minimize their environmental impact.
The primary environmental issue with embalming fluid is that contains formaldehyde; a "probable"
.carcinogen according to the US Environmental Protection Agency and a known carcinogen according to the
World Health Organization. Embalming creates health risks for workers and it's associated with several
diseases such including nasal cancer and leukemia. In very few circumstances is embalming actually
required by law, and a "funeral with a viewing" is not one of them. GBC approved funeral directors
make available refrigeration and/or dry ice as an alternative to embalming.
What are the environmental issues associated with vaults?
Originally developed to deter grave robbers in the late 19th century, vaults are required today by many
cemeteries in order to help prevent the ground from sinking and markers from moving. There are no state
or federal laws requiring the use of a vault, though cemeteries are allowed to have policies that do.
Some conventional cemeteries now offer consumers the option of paying additional amounts of money in an
endowment care funds to handle potential maintenance associated with vaultless burial. Many however,
offer vaultless burial at no additional charge. While the concrete and metal in vaults are considered
"natural" to some, the manufacturing and transporting of vaults utilizes a tremendous amount of energy
and contribute to 1.6 tons of reinforced concrete being produced. Vaults are not required in GBC approved
Hybrid Burial Grounds (hyperlink) and prohibited in Council certified Conservation and Natural Burial Grounds.
Is cremation an eco-friendly form of disposition?
Cremation uses far fewer resources than almost any other disposition option but it also has an environmental
impact and "carbon footprint." Cremation burns fossil fuel and some older cremation facilities can use
significantly more energy compared to newer ones. Mercury is also emitted when a person with dental amalgam
fillings is cremated, though just how much is widely debated. The GBC has recently begun to certify cremation
disposition programs that create or protect habitat. We will also be requiring that mercury pollution be mitigated
by our approved cremation facilities by 2010 when cost-effective technologies are expected to be available.
What is a home funeral and how does it differ from a home burial?
Home funerals allow for families to care for a decedent, and all aspects of a funeral, at home, and were quite
common up in the US until the mid-20th century. A family can facilitate a home funeral on their own; with the
assistance of a home funeral practitioner; or in conjunction with a licensed funeral director. Some states require
the latter. Home burial is an alternative to burial in a cemetery. It's allowed for in most parts of the country,
but usually requires some minimum number of acreage. Home burial has historically been quite common in rural areas.