Green Burial Council

Green Burial Council
Approved Standards and Practices for a
Hybrid Burial Ground

The Council recognizes two categories of "green" cemeteries; one for a "Conservation Burial Ground" and another for a "Natural Burial Ground." A "Natural Burial Ground" is a cemetery that encourages sustainable and ethical practices but may not necessarily involve an established conservation organization as a long-term steward, and does not necessarily further a landscape-level conservation purpose. The GBC has also established standards for conventional cemeteries offering green burial which is referred to as a "Hybrid Burial Ground."
  1. Vaults. A Hybrid Burial Ground must:
    1. accommodate burial without the use of a burial vault; or
    2. set aside a specific area within the cemetery where vaultless burial can occur.
  2. Burial criteria.
    1. No toxic chemicals are to be used in the bodies of decedents (except when embalming has been done against decedents wishes.)
    2. No vaults are to be used (except when state law requires the use of vaults or it is necessary to accommodate winter burial.)
    3. Burial containers or shrouds must be made of biodegradable materials.
  3. Customer relations criteria.
    1. Information that might be misleading or is factually incorrect must never be given by representatives of the cemetery to members of the media or to the general public.
    2. Clients and families must be given the opportunity to be involved with the burial and ritual process so long as participation does not conflict with state law or with these protocols in form or substance.
  4. A Funeral Home on the premises of a Hybrid Burial Ground must:
    1. Be certified by the Green Burial Council; and
    2. Include in its price list information regarding the availability of green funeral services and products.