Additional Resources For Alternatives To Traditional Burial & Cremation
National Organizations
The Green Burial Council
Based in Placerville, California, the Green Burial Council provides information about green burial to the public and certifies green burial providers who demonstrate a commitment to “create more sustainable after-death options for you, your community, and the planet.”
The organization offers information to consumers about what green burial entails and provides an interactive map of green cemeteries, funeral homes and burial products throughout the United States.
The Home Funeral Alliance
The Home Funeral Alliance is a nonprofit that provides information and resources about family-directed after-death care, including natural death care and home funerals. The organization is currently pausing operations, but continues to provide a directory of professionals who provide guidance to families who want to care for their dead in the home, including end-of-life doulas, funeral directors, and home funeral guides, and a state-by-state guide to funeral and burial laws.
Cremation Association of North America
The Cremation Association of North America provides information on alkaline hydrolysis and a directory of alkaline hydrolysis providers in the U.S. To use the directory, search for Crematory/Alkaline Hydrolysis under Business Classification on this page of the CANA website.
Conservation Burial Alliance (CBA)
The Conservation Burial Alliance is a collaborative of conservation burial grounds and invested allies dedicated to fostering the conservation and sustainable management of land through natural burial. Formed in 2017 by stewards and operators of conservation burial cemeteries across the United States, the CBA promotes best practices, provides peer and public education, and shares resources to help establish and maintain burial grounds that protect land in perpetuity. The Alliance works in partnership with land trusts and conservation organizations, ensuring that burial practices align with broader ecological preservation goals. Their website offers a directory of conservation burial grounds and educational materials for anyone interested in this form of sustainable after-death care.
Whole-Body Donation
If you’re considering whole-body donation for medical education or research, we recommend planning ahead by contacting the programs that accept donors directly. Start by contacting the anatomical gift program at a nearby teaching hospital or medical school, as many institutions manage their own donor registries and can explain local procedures. National programs and registries can also help match you with accredited facilities and clarify eligibility, transportation, and final disposition details.
MedCure
MedCure is an AATB-accredited, non-transplant tissue bank that facilitates whole body donations for medical research and education. Founded in 2005, the organization provides state-of-the-art lab and training facilities and supplies anatomical specimens to medical and scientific professionals, enabling the hands-on experience necessary to advance healthcare and ensure patient safety. For families, MedCure covers all costs associated with donation, including transportation, permits, cremation, and the return of cremated remains to the family within 4–6 weeks. MedCure accepts donors nationwide and maintains facilities in St. Louis, MO; Orlando, FL; Henderson, NV; and Portland, OR.
United Tissue Network (UTN)
United Tissue Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing medical education and research through whole-body donation. UTN is one of only seven accredited tissue banks worldwide and the only true non-profit recognized by the American Association of Tissue Banks. The organization provides complete financial relief to families by covering all costs associated with donation, including transportation, cremation (a savings of $1,200–$5,000), two death certificates, and the return of cremated remains anywhere in the continental United States. UTN accepts donors regardless of age or BMI and offers 24/7 support for families navigating the donation process.