PLUS: A chart about green cemeteries by U.S. state
Green burials are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods that focus on reducing environmental impact. The core principles of a green burial include avoiding toxic embalming chemicals, using biodegradable materials for the casket or burial shroud, and allowing the body to decompose naturally without a burial vault or grave liner. Green burials aim to conserve natural resources, protect workers’ health, and promote the restoration of natural habitats.
In a green burial, the body is typically buried at a shallower depth, which helps it decompose faster and return to the earth more naturally. These burials often take place in designated natural burial grounds or hybrid cemeteries that accommodate both conventional and green burials. Families choosing green burials value the practice for its sustainability, lower cost compared to traditional methods, and the opportunity to honor loved ones in a way that aligns with environmental values.
For more information, check out the Green Burial Council and the National Home Funeral Alliance.
Cemeteries in the U.S. That Offer Green Burials
Here is a list of cemeteries in the U.S. by state that offer green burials. Each cemetery’s website is included for more detailed information.
| State | Cemetery Name | City | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Pine Forest Memorial Gardens | Brewton | pineforestmg.com |
| Arizona | Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery | Scottsdale | greenacresaz.com |
| Arkansas | Historic Mount Holly Cemetery | Little Rock | mthollycemetery.org |
| California | Fernwood Cemetery | Mill Valley | fernwood.com |
| Colorado | The Prairie Waters Memorial | Longmont | prairiewaters.org |
| Connecticut | West Cemetery | Madison | westcemetery.com |
| Delaware | St. Peter’s Episcopal Churchyard | Lewes | stpeterslewes.org |
| Florida | Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery | Gainesville | conservationburialinc.org |
| Georgia | Honey Creek Woodlands | Conyers | honeycreekwoodlands.com |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Memorial Park | Kaneohe | hawaiianmemorialpark.com |
| Idaho | Dry Creek Cemetery | Boise | drycreekcemetery.com |
| Illinois | Windridge Memorial Park | Cary | windridgecemetery.com |
| Indiana | Oaklawn Memorial Gardens | Fishers | oaklawnmemorialgardens.com |
| Iowa | New Hope Cemetery | Cambridge | iagenweb.org |
| Kansas | Green Acres Natural Burial Ground | Lawrence | greenacreslawrence.com |
| Kentucky | Hillside Memorial Park | Madisonville | hillsidememorial.com |
| Louisiana | Star Hill Cemetery | St. Francisville | starhillcemetery.org |
| Maine | Cedar Brook Burial Ground | Limington | mainegreenburials.com |
| Maryland | Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery | Baltimore | baltimorehebrew.org |
| Massachusetts | Mount Auburn Cemetery | Cambridge | mountauburn.org |
| Michigan | White Rose Cemetery | Pinckney | whiterosecemetery.com |
| Minnesota | Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens | Inver Grove Heights | prairieoaks.com |
| Mississippi | Glenwood Cemetery | Yazoo City | glenwoodcemetery.net |
| Missouri | Bellefontaine Cemetery | St. Louis | bellefontainecemetery.org |
| Montana | Glacier Memorial Gardens | Kalispell | glaciergardens.com |
| Nebraska | Wyuka Cemetery | Lincoln | wyuka.com |
| Nevada | Paradise Memorial Gardens | Las Vegas | paradisememoriallv.com |
| New Hampshire | Cedar Hill Cemetery | Northfield | cedarhillcemetery.com |
| New Jersey | Green Haven Memorial Gardens | Franklin | greenhavenmemorial.com |
| New Mexico | La Puerta Natural Burial Ground | Albuquerque | lapuertaburialground.com |
| New York | Greensprings Natural Cemetery | Newfield | greenspringsnaturalcemetery.org |
| North Carolina | Oak Hill Memorial Park | Kinston | oakhillmemorial.com |
| North Dakota | Rosehill Cemetery | Minot | rosehillcemetery.org |
| Ohio | Union Cemetery | Columbus | unioncemetery.com |
| Oklahoma | Floral Haven Memorial Gardens | Broken Arrow | floralhaven.com |
| Oregon | Restlawn Memorial Gardens | Salem | restlawncemetery.com |
| Pennsylvania | Penn Forest Natural Burial Park | Verona | pennforestcemetery.com |
| Rhode Island | Swan Point Cemetery | Providence | swanpointcemetery.com |
| South Carolina | Ramsey Creek Preserve | Westminster | ramseycreekpreserve.com |
| South Dakota | Pine Lawn Memorial Park | Rapid City | pinelawncemetery.org |
| Tennessee | Larkspur Conservation | Chattanooga | larkspurconservation.org |
| Texas | Countryside Memorial Park | La Vernia | countrysidememorial.com |
| Utah | Mount Olivet Cemetery | Salt Lake City | mountolivetcemetery.com |
| Vermont | Green Mount Cemetery | Montpelier | greenmountcemetery.com |
| Virginia | Duck Run Natural Cemetery | Penn Laird | duckrunnatural.com |
| Washington | White Eagle Memorial Preserve | Goldendale | whiteeaglepreserve.com |
| West Virginia | Gethsemane Memorial Gardens | Oak Hill | gethsemane.com |
| Wisconsin | Natural Path Sanctuary | Verona | naturalpathsanctuary.org |
| Wyoming | Lakeview Cemetery | Cheyenne | lakeviewcemetery.com |
This list and the included links provide helpful resources for those exploring green burial options across the U.S. for themselves or a loved one.
