Reclaiming a Dying Tradition
Green burial is a way of returning bodies to the earth after death. Called “green” burial for its ecological soundness, it is also commonly known as natural burial.
A green or natural burial uses no embalming, no metal casket, and no burial liner or vault; the marker, if used is typically flat. Proponents often refer to it as “traditional” burial because it reclaims the Civil War—one that is still used by some 90% of people elsewhere in the world. Because only biodegradable materials are used, in green burial a human body and its burial container enrich the soil.