What Does a Green Burial Cost: Breakdown and Examples
On average, a green burial cost is considerably more affordable than traditional arrangements. Of course, the variance is great, as preference and availability of services form the final bill.
The major contributors to the final green burial cost include the price and location of the burial site, cemetery fees, funeral service fees, and the casket material. Among the secondary factors are catering for the attendees and the presence or absence of religious figures at the ceremony.
On average, a green burial cost is $4,000-$8,000. For comparison, traditional funerals in city cemeteries is $6,000-$15,000.
Read on to understand in detail all the factors that contribute to the final price.
What Is a Green or Natural Burial and Why It Makes Sense
A green burial is a natural, eco-friendly approach to laying loved ones to rest.
It involves using biodegradable caskets instead of hardwood or metal coffins. If avoidable, embalming also is foregone, and the final resting place is at natural burial grounds.
Thanks to their sustainability and simplicity, green funeral ceremonies are increasingly popular. They resonate with a growing number of individuals seeking a more harmonious exit from life that doesn’t lead to funeral poverty.
Our detailed guide on green funerals will help you understand their appeal better.
Green Burial Cost: Breakdown and Examples
Understanding the key factors influencing green burial costs will help you manage your budget.
From burial site location to funeral service expenses, we dissect each element to shed light on the financial benefits of choosing a green and natural burial.
This way you can save on funeral costs without sacrificing the quality of the ceremony.
Location of the Burial Site
Location matters, with urban areas typically costing more. A green burial plot might cost less than a beautiful spot in a central cemetery, but they certainly don’t come for free.
Eco-friendly burial grounds or certified green cemeteries come with varying price tags for funeral ceremonies. Through burial permits and administrative charges, local regulations influence costs too.
Another consideration is the proximity and accessibility for both the funeral ceremony itself and future visits. Don’t forget to factor in commuting costs, as the distance can impact the overall expense and carbon footprint of your environmentally friendly farewell.
Beyond expenses, ensure the chosen location complies with legal standards to avoid unexpected fines or complications. Adhering to legal norms not only ensures a smooth and respectful burial process but also safeguards against any future legal entanglements.
Cemetery Fees
Factors like location, cemetery policies, and additional offered services share the cemetery fees for green burials. Green burial councils and certified green cemeteries often set unique pricing structures.
Start by exploring the Green Burial Council’s resources, guiding you to certified green cemeteries with transparent pricing. Consider the location’s impact — urban areas often come with higher fees.
Scrutinize cemetery policies, including maintenance costs and additional services offered, such as grave preparation, marker installation, memorial services, landscaping, record keeping, and perpetual care funds.
One of the biggest advantages of buying a burial plot in advance is the possibility to research carefully and plan.
Request itemized fee breakdowns from potential sites to understand all costs involved. Comparing burial plot prices is a financially prudent move that will reveal the degree of greenness of a cemetery.
Type of Burial Container
Opting for a biodegradable burial container is not only environmentally conscious but also budget-friendly. It is the easiest way to reduce the carbon footprint of a burial ceremony.
Traditional caskets range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, while biodegradable caskets, often made from cardboard or bamboo, typically fall within the $500 to $2,000 range. Simple shrouds, allowing you to be buried without a casket at all, are often the most economical choice, and can be found for under $500. Keep in mind that not all city cemeteries allow burial without caskets.
Biodegradable urns, an alternative method for keeping cremation ashes, come in various materials and shapes. They add more choices to the eco-conscious farewell.
They cost from $100 to $500, which makes them comparable or even more affordable than traditional urns.
Sustainable burial containers contribute to environmental well-being but also potentially cut significantly funeral expenses.
Funeral Service Costs
Funeral service costs can vary by type and location. Urban areas may incur higher costs, and the type of service, whether it’s a traditional funeral, memorial service, or direct cremation, also influences expenses.
However, there are straightforward ways to effectively manage the budget for sustainable funeral arrangements:
- Digital obituaries, priced around $50 to $200, are an eco-friendly and economical alternative to traditional print.
- Locally sourced, seasonal flowers for funeral arrangements range from $100 to $300, combining sustainability with budget-friendliness
- Funeral homes often provide package deals, including essential services like body preparation, viewing facilities, and transportation, with costs ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Such bundles often are much more cost-effective compared to selecting individual services, which could tally up to $7,000 or more.
With thoughtful choices, you can navigate the expenses for a green burial ceremony, creating a meaningful farewell that’s both sustainable and budget-conscious.
Additional Services and Memorialization Options
Green funerals come with diverse additional services and memorialization options, but these can impact overall costs. Still, knowing the options ensures responsible financial planning of an environmentally friendly funeral.
Some ideas include:
- Custom ceremonies — Tailor the service to reflect the individual’s life, values, and passions. This could involve personal anecdotes, favorite music, or even a specific theme.
- Eco-friendly memorabilia — Instead of traditional sympathy gifts, ask guests for environmentally conscious tokens like seeds for planting, which is both greener and cost-effective.
- Memory stations — Create interactive stations featuring photos, mementos, and stories, allowing attendees to contribute their cherished memories.
- Artistic expressions — Incorporate art, whether through live painting or sculptural installations, to provide a tangible and personal connection to the departed. Using local artists or students can help reduce costs.
- Certified green funeral products — Explore environmentally friendly options for caskets, urns, and memorial items certified by organizations promoting sustainable practices.
Natural Burial vs Traditional Burial: Cost Comparison
According to the National Funeral Directors’ Association, interest in green burials over traditional burials has risen to 60%, due to the financial and environmental benefits.
Eco-friendly burial costs range from $4,000 to $8,000, compared to conventional burials, which can extend from $6,000 to $15,000. (And that’s without considering truly expensive options like mausoleums.)
This is due, in part, to reduced usage of embalming, more cost-effective materials for caskets (bamboo or cardboard as opposed to metal or hardwood), and fewer regulatory requirements.
Cemetery fees for green burial grounds tend to be cheaper as well, as they opt for natural landscaping, reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers, and limited infrastructure. Modern urban cemeteries use burial vaults as well to maintain their structural integrity.
This nuanced cost comparison highlights the financial benefits of embracing natural burial practices, combining fiscal prudence with a commitment to eco-conscious choices.
Price Difference Between Cemeteries
When comparing green burial ground costs to traditional ones, a notable trend emerges: green cemeteries often present more cost-effective alternatives.
For instance, Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, offers traditional ground burials ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. This encompasses the gravesite, grave opening and closing, perpetual care, and amenities like memorial markers.
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, starts traditional burial plots at around $4,000, covering the gravesite, opening and closing services, and perpetual care.
In contrast, a green cemetery price analysis reveals that cemeteries like Ramsey Creek Preserve in South Carolina charge $2,500 for a burial plot, which includes perpetual care and emphasizes natural burials without embalming or non-biodegradable materials. To reduce costs, Ramsey Creek relies on community volunteers for maintenance.
Natural Path Sanctuary in Wisconsin offers eco-friendly burials for $1,500 per plot, utilizing natural markers and emphasizing conservation.
Traditional cemeteries, with varying pricing structures, tend to incur higher costs due to additional maintenance and significant infrastructure expenses.
Tips for Managing Green Burial Costs
When managing green burial costs, it is important to compare burial container options and their prices.
Traditional coffins can be expensive, as can burial vaults. Exploring alternatives like biodegradable caskets or shrouds can help save money.
Additionally, considering DIY green burial options can be beneficial. Families can forgo traditional funeral home services and handle the preparations themselves, which can significantly reduce expenses.
Lastly, compare prices between different green cemeteries for affordability. Some cemeteries and conservation burial plots offer more affordable pricing for green burials, so researching and comparing options can help manage costs.
Expenses in DIY Funeral
In a shift away from traditional funeral services, many families are opting for DIY funerals to manage costs while personalizing their loved one’s funeral. DIY funerals involve families taking charge of the funeral process, from preparation to ceremony, often within the comfort of their own homes.
To embark on this journey, families should be aware of legal requirements, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and prioritize safety considerations.
Resources such as online guides and community deathcare networks provide valuable information on DIY funeral arrangements. А DIY approach enables families to tailor ceremonies to their unique preferences.
What’s more, home funerals can play a pivotal role in the healing process. From hosting a home-based vigil for farewells, and designing homemade memorial items to handling paperwork, families find solace in actively participating in their loved one’s final journey, creating a more budget-friendly alternative to traditional funeral services.
Home Funeral Services
Home funeral services offer a compassionate alternative to traditional funeral services:
There are, however, a number of legal and logistical requirements to obtain and consider:
- Death certificate — Official death certificate needs to be obtained
- Transportation permit — Secure permission for the transportation of the deceased
- Burial/cremation permit — Acquire the necessary permit for your chosen disposition
- Health department notification — Notify the local health department about the home death arrangements
- Embalming waiver — If not embalming, sign a waiver confirming your decision
- Refrigeration — Arrange for proper refrigeration to preserve the body before the final arrangements
- Zoning/land-use permits — Check for any specific regulations on home burials
Consulting a funeral director, even if you aren’t going to use the full range of their services, can help mightily in navigating these practical challenges.
Emotional support is crucial during this process, and resources like home funeral guides can guide families through each step.
Conclusion
With green funeral costs averaging around $2,000 to $4,000, considerably lower than conventional options, these eco-friendly burial ceremonies minimize financial burdens.
By considering factors like location, biodegradable burial containers, and funeral service costs, individuals can make conscientious decisions that align with their values.
Opting for a green burial is a meaningful step towards a sustainable farewell that emphasizes the importance of responsible and affordable end-of-life planning.
