A quiet but significant shift is taking place in how Americans approach death. Green burials—natural interments that avoid embalming chemicals, synthetic caskets, and concrete vaults—are becoming increasingly popular among environmentally conscious individuals seeking a simpler, more sustainable end-of-life option.

Once a niche practice, green burial is now entering the mainstream. The number of cemeteries offering these eco-friendly services has more than tripled in less than a decade, growing from just 150 in 2016 to nearly 500 across the United States by 2025. This expansion is being driven by rising public awareness of environmental issues and a desire to reduce the ecological impact of traditional funeral practices.

Conservation burial grounds, such as Larkspur in Colorado, are partnering with land trusts to preserve natural landscapes while offering burial plots that help protect open spaces. In these settings, graves are often marked with native stones or GPS coordinates rather than headstones, and the land remains largely undeveloped, supporting wildlife and native vegetation.

Though cremation still dominates in terms of numbers—largely due to its affordability and convenience—interest in green burial is growing, particularly among aging baby boomers. This generation, which has long championed social and environmental causes, is now turning its attention to deathcare practices that align with those values.

Green burial involves placing the body in a biodegradable casket, shroud, or simple pine box and forgoing embalming altogether. The process allows for natural decomposition and return to the earth, with minimal disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. Many green burial advocates also emphasize the importance of family participation. Rather than delegating all responsibilities to funeral professionals, loved ones are often involved in preparing the body, digging the grave, and participating in personalized rituals.

Beyond the personal and spiritual dimensions, green burial offers tangible environmental benefits. Traditional burial methods consume significant resources—metal caskets, hardwood coffins, and concrete burial vaults all require energy-intensive manufacturing. Embalming fluids contain formaldehyde, a chemical classified as a probable human carcinogen. Cremation, while avoiding many of these materials, releases carbon dioxide and mercury emissions into the atmosphere.

As urban sprawl and development pressure intensify, land use has become a pressing concern. Some conservation burial sites are located on ecologically sensitive land that would otherwise be vulnerable to commercial or residential development. By choosing a green burial, individuals not only lower their own environmental footprint but also contribute to land preservation efforts.

There is also a cultural dimension to the movement. Advocates argue that green funerals foster deeper connections between the living and the dead, reintroducing families to more hands-on, communal mourning practices. These ceremonies often take place outdoors, in natural settings, and may include storytelling, music, and participation in lowering the body into the earth.

The growing acceptance of green burial reflects a broader societal shift toward sustainability and personalization in how people live—and how they choose to die. As more cemeteries adapt to meet this demand, green burial may well become the norm rather than the exception in years to come.