What is a conservation burial ground?

A conservation burial ground is a burial site within a sanctuary or protected portion of land that emphasizes the preservation of ecosystems and natural resources. They are often maintained in partnership with a conservation organization that agrees to adhere to specific protocols to ensure that burial practices will not harm the land. In comparison to traditional cemeteries, conservation burial grounds prioritize sustainability and the protection of wildlife or habitats. Many people who opt to be buried or to bury a loved one at a conservation burial ground make their selection in an effort to reduce harm to the environment and to continue a lasting legacy of environmentally sound decisions. 

Burials on conservation burial grounds differ significantly from conventional burials. Natural burial is usually emphasized, which means that a deceased loved one may be interred in a biodegradable casket or shroud to allow natural decomposition. Embalming is not allowed due to the potential to leach harmful chemicals into the soil and the inhibition of the natural decomposition of the body, which provides valuable nutrients to the surrounding environment. Additionally, concrete burial vaults are prohibited, grave markers are typically not used and are replaced by native plants, GPS, platting, or survey pins, in order to reduce the impact on the land. Every conservation burial ground has its own requirements and prohibitions, so it’s important to become familiar with the expectations prior to making arrangements. 

Conservation burial grounds are differentiated from green burial cemeteries by their unique characteristics. For example, the land must be managed with the intent to meet specific conservation goals, have minimal burial density, and operate on protected land that is affiliated with a conservation entity or land trust. Burial density refers to the depth, size, distance, and ratio of burial plots to the available land. A conservation burial ground cannot hold over 300 burial plots per acre. By contrast, conventional cemeteries have around 1000 to 1200 burial plots per acre.  

When managed properly, conservation burial grounds reduce the impact of burials on nature and promote biodiversity. They also offer unique options for memorialization, such as the ability to erect tree markers or plant native trees on a plot instead of traditional headstones or gravemarkers.

Sources

“Conservation Burial FAQ”. Green Burial Council. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/conservation-burial-faq.html 

“Frequently Asked Questions”. Larkspur Conservation. https://larkspurconservation.org/frequently-asked-questions 
“Conservation Burial for Land Trusts”. Conservation Burial Alliance. https://www.conservationburialalliance.org/what_land_trusts_need_to_know_about_conservation_burial.html