Green Burial Service

Yes, family members are allowed to transport the body of their loved one to a burial site. This is legal in most states, with the exception being that some states require that bodies must be embalmed if they are crossing state lines. While transportation is frequently handled by the funeral director in a green burial, transporting the body to the burial site can be a deeply intimate experience for the family, adding to the overall process of honoring the person who died.. Further, a funeral home will charge a fee to transport the body, so the decision to have family-led transportation may reduce overall costs. 

It is important to note that specific permits or requirements may be necessary to adhere to local laws regarding the transportation of the person who died. Communicating with the funeral home or cemetery can clarify any conditions that need to be addressed and help you coordinate the logistics of the process. Funeral home and cemetery staff are experienced with transporting human bodies. They can guide you on the best practices to transition a loved one to their designated burial site. 

Although family-led transportation to the burial site can be a very meaningful experience, families should also consider their comfort level, capabilities, and limitations. Moving the body of a loved one can be emotionally challenging and overwhelming for some individuals. Understandably, there are often also physical challenges in managing the transportation of the body independently rather than professionally. Individuals considering family-led transportation are encouraged to work closely with their chosen funeral home to anticipate potential issues and develop a plan for efficient and respectful transport.

Sources

“Death in One State, Burial in Another – Body Transport After Death”. San Diego Memorial Society. https://sdmsonline.com/body-transport-after-death/ 

“On the Way to the Green Burial Cemetery: A Guide for Families”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_guide_for_families.html# 

“Can I Transport a Loved One’s Body in My Own Car?” iMortuary. https://www.imortuary.com/blog/can-i-transport-a-loved-ones-body-in-my-own-car/ 

Yes, it is possible to make arrangements with a funeral home to have a natural or green burial. There are many funeral homes that have been certified by the Green Burial Council. This certification reflects the funeral home’s commitment to green funeral practices and its ability to offer green funeral goods and services. Some funeral homes do not have this certification but offer natural burials in order to serve clients who have an interest in eco-friendly funeral practices.

If you choose to work with a funeral home that is not certified, it is important to clearly define preferences regarding natural burial. As a general recommendation, contacting the funeral director to ask about their experience in arranging natural burials, what is included in the arrangements, and what to expect with their process can provide insight into how effectively the funeral home can accommodate your request. Inquiring about the availability of biodegradable caskets and shrouds or opting out of embalming can also aid in determining if the funeral home can provide options that align with your values. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has not developed guidelines or regulations for funeral homes and cemeteries that offer natural or green burials, so researching to make an informed decision regarding funeral home selection for this service is crucial. 

Sources

“Our Standards”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/our_standards.html

“GBC-Certified Funeral Homes in the ​United States”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/funeral_homes_a-n.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=144213671&gbraid=0AAAAADpwlRlRp1mBdr3OwX2l9771CwYcZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-NfDBhDyARIsAD-ILeB559n33eRSsGfsS4_jPU2ve3hA570DfXIEyD4tBc0K17SOwenQ4yQaAoqqEALw_wcB 

Arranging a Green Burial at Any Funeral Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5P1DenneG8

Planning Your Natural Funeral: Ensuring an Eco-Friendly Burial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeKiQgAmyr8

“Green Burial & Other Environmentally Friendly Choices”. Funeral Consumers Alliance. https://funerals.org/get-help/green-options/ 

As an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods, green burials can provide a unique and memorable opportunity for family and loved ones to participate in the process of saying goodbye. In fact, one of the most distinguishable features of green burials is the level of participation allowed for family and friends. Typically, green burials can be customized to meet the vision and values of the family, and likewise, develop a more personal experience that can be cherished by the attendees.

Discussing green burials and the processes that take place during them can foster closeness among family and loved ones, as well as a sense of comfort as arrangements are made. Each person can choose to participate in the stages of the burial process, such as preparing the body of the person who died, carrying the body to the burial site, or even digging the grave. It is also very common for family and loved ones to decorate the shroud and the carrier that will be used during the transportation of the body. Many of these actions can be completed together as a shared experience for familial bonding. Through active involvement, family and loved ones can develop a deeper sense of connection and closure, which are often core elements that are missing in traditional funeral services.

Green burials are not always limited to the burial process itself and can include other activities as well. Some green burials can include planting memorial trees that will serve as a living and lasting reminder of a loved one’s legacy. Another common activity is creating natural markers to commemorate the person who died. These markers are usually plants or rocks that are placed near the burial site, allowing family members and loved ones to become familiar and comfortable with the environment. 

It is crucial to note that the level of participation involved in a green burial can depend on local regulations and the policies of the natural burial ground where the burial will be conducted. Since requirements and expectations can vary, families are encouraged to research and consult with green burial providers in their area to gain more insight into the approved processes and any limitations. 

Allowing family and loved ones to participate in green burial is an important opportunity for remembrance and expression of mourning. It provides everyone with the chance to honor their loved one in a way that aligns with their personal values and wishes while maintaining minimal harm to the environment and its resources. As the culmination of personal loss, environmental stewardship, and familial bonding, participation in green burials can help further foster practices that are aligned intimately with the natural cycle of life and death.

Sources
“On the Way to the Green Burial Cemetery: A Guide for Families”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_guide_for_families.html 

“​How to Talk With Your Loved Ones About Green Burials”. Ethos. https://the-ethos.co/how-to-talk-with-your-loved-ones-about-green-burials/ 

Home funerals are a natural precursor to a green burial. During a typical home funeral, the family washes and cares for the body after death and preserves it using dry ice, gel packs or both. Friends and loved ones then come to the home to gather together and pay their last respects. Under most circumstances, the body can be kept at home for several days or longer if appropriate techniques are used. See “How Can I Prevent Decomposition?” for specific instructions on how to accomplish this. 

Like natural burial, home funerals are legal in all 50 states. However, you may need to involve a funeral director in certain parts of the process, such as filing the death certificate or obtaining a burial transfer permit. With that being said, you may wish to enlist the help of a funeral director or home funeral guide to help you make arrangements with the cemetery or assist in transporting your loved one’s body to the grave, even if that isn’t required by law. Handling these logistical tasks can be challenging, and you may wish to use your energy planning a meaningful graveside service[link to question about green burial service] instead. 

If you are considering a natural burial on private property, there may be legal ramifications to your decision that you should be aware of before you proceed. Most states have no laws restricting burial on private property, but California, Washington and Indiana currently prohibit it. (The laws in California are ambiguous, however, so it may be possible depending on where you live.)  Further, many local municipalities limit where bodies can be buried, and may refuse to issue a burial permit if they disapprove of your choice. You may need to work with an attorney to get the permissions you need. 

Know, too, that your ability to sell your property may be affected if you bury a body there. According to California attorney Barry Vogel, you will be legally required to append a “Notice of Unusual Circumstance” to the title that explains that a person is buried on the property and where (for example, 100 feet from the northern border and 100 feet from the eastern border) A prospective buyer may accept the special circumstances, but they might also try to negotiate a lower price as a result. Additionally, you might need to negotiate an easement for family members to visit the gravesite after the property is sold.

Typically, a green burial service is far more personal than a conventional burial or graveside service. In most green cemeteries, graves are 3.5 feet deep (versus the traditional 6 feet) and are dug by hand. Friends and family are encouraged to participate in the process of opening and closing the grave if they wish. Some may actually help lower the casket into the ground, or toss handfuls of soil on the casket before the grave is closed. Mourners may also transport the body to the grave site in a personal vehicle and carry it to the grave on a BIER.For some people, this is one of the most satisfying aspects of a green burial service. It can be a very loving and personal way to say goodbye. 

Other aspects of a green burial service are often deeply personal as well. As opposed to a formal graveside ceremony with a celebrant or clergy, family and friends may choose to recite poetry, tell stories about their loved one or sing songs. Mourners typically dress informally in colors of their choice rather than in somber blacks and blues. Many people choose to adorn the casket with personal mementos or items that have meaning to them, such as flowers, photographs, jewelry and the like. They may also toss personal mementos into the grave as a way of symbolically wishing their loved one well. According to Kathy Curry of Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley, California, [link to video]the beauty and simplicity of the natural landscape inspires mourners to be more participative, turning what had become a rather detached, impersonal process into a true family affair, much like it was in the days before funeral directors co-opted the process of caring for the dead. 

Sources

“On the Way to the Green Burial Cemetery: A Guide for Families”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_guide_for_families.html 

“Green Burial Stories.” Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_stories.html 

“A Natural Burial for Gracie”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_council_blog/a-natural-burial-for-gracie 

“Gallery”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/gallery.html 

“First Burial at The Forest Conservation Burial Ground, Ashland, Oregon”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/first_burial_forest_conservation.html