Resources
Articles
2025
Cremation or Casket? Here's the Most Eco-Friendly Burial Option by Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, December 31, 2025
Giving Our Bodies Back to the Earth: The Rise of Nature Burial by John Christian Phifer, Atmos Magazine, December 11, 2025
When I Go, I'm Going Green by Paula Span, New York Times, August 23, 2025
Exchanging Gifts by Lee Webster, Green Energy Times, July 2025
Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Conventional Cremation and Burial Practices Voices in Bioethics at Columbia University, July 30, 2025
Environmental Impacts of Conventional Burial and Cremation Processes Voices in Bioethics at Columbia University, July 2, 2025
Biomimicry & Burial: Living and Dying with Nature in Mind Climate One, Maine Public Radio, July 11, 2025 [Starts at approx. 30:00]
Reviving an Ancient—and Green—Burial Tradition by Heather Beasley Doyle, Boston Globe, May 27, 2025
2024
My Dad's Green Burial by Christine Ashley, Friends Journal, April 1, 2024
Eco-friendly burial a 'grassroots movement' on the rise by David Struett, Chicago Sun Times, April 21, 2024
Going Green After Death WMAR-2 News, YouTube video, April 19, 2024
Green burials catch on in Michigan. Cemetery controversy follows by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan, 4.3.24
I buried my parents in a farmer's field next door by Jessica Beard, This is Money, February 28, 2024
2023
More people are opting for an eco-friendly burial in nature DutchNews, September 18, 2023
Natural Burial as a Conservation Strategy by Lee Webster, Land Trust Alliance Saving Land, Summer 2023
5 Common Myths That Families Have About Green Burials by Brand Buzz, Time Bulletin, September 4, 2023
Green Burials: The Growing Appeal of New Earth-Conscious Interment WYPR Maryland Public Radio, April 20, 2023
Grief Without a Grave: Green Burial and Accessibility by Donelle Dreese, Psychology Today, April 15, 2023
Down to Earth: Peaceful conservation burials benefit the planet—a final gift from loved ones by Cathy Jesse, The National Wildlife Federation, March 31, 2023
Death Has a Big Carbon Footprint by Esta Pratt-Kielley, interviewed outtakes with Lee Webster, Maine Public Radio, February 24, 2023
Unearthing the Options by Sophia Smith and Jacob Shaddock for C-Span's 2023 StudentCam Competition, January 18, 2023
2022
Back to the Earth: Non-traditional Burials by Rosie Wolf Williams, Next Avenue, November 16, 2022
What Mama Wants podcast with Kate Manahan, June 14, 2022
In These Cemeteries, Nature Also Rests in Peace by Xander Peters, National Geographic, April 2022
From Dust You Came and to Dust You Shall Return by Raquel G. Frolich, Bull Magazine, June 2022
Saving the Environment and Cash Through Green Burials by Lindsay Kalter, MedScape, April 4, 2022
Green Burials: The Sustainable Solution for Cemeteries, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, February 1, 2022
The Push for Sustainable Death by Amanda Gokey, Concord Monitor, January 26, 2022
2021
All Things Green Burial on the inaugural episode WWHR's Let's Have Words with Lara Samuel, December 9, 2021
Green Burial? Home Funeral? Local Advocates Want You to Know Your Options by Abby Hamilton, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, October 25, 2021
Green Burial Wants to Clean Up American Funerals by Jake Maynard, Slate, February 5, 2021
Put Me in a Wooden Box by Nick Wooten, Associated Press/The Ledger Enquirer, April 24, 2021
What It's Like to Have a Funeral at Home by Christina Leimer, NextAvenue, March 24, 2021
People Who Love the Land Are Getting Interested in Green Burials by Amanda Gokee, VTDigger, January 10, 2021
2020
Brooklyn Neighbors Come Together to Bury a Stranger by Julie Walker, AP News, May 1, 2020
More catholics choose green burials, hoping for a lighter footprint by Valerie Zehl, US Catholic Magazine, April 21, 2020
The ‘green death’ movement: Scientific advances give more eco-friendly funeral options by Emily Gillespie, Fortune Magazine, April 9, 2020
Green Burial: We’re All In the Same Cycle of Life by Nancy DeVault, Natural Awakenings, April 4, 2020
It takes Less Than 30 Days to Compost a Human Body by Jef Akst, The Scientist, February 17, 2020
"Mushroom Burial Suit" Called Into Question by Diane Ionescu, Connecting Directors, February 10, 2020
The Emotional Wallop of My Friend’s Green Burial by Janet Siroto, NextAvenue, January 30, 2020
Cremation or Casket? Here's the Most Eco-Friendly Burial Option by Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, December 31, 2025
Giving Our Bodies Back to the Earth: The Rise of Nature Burial by John Christian Phifer, Atmos Magazine, December 11, 2025
When I Go, I'm Going Green by Paula Span, New York Times, August 23, 2025
Exchanging Gifts by Lee Webster, Green Energy Times, July 2025
Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Conventional Cremation and Burial Practices Voices in Bioethics at Columbia University, July 30, 2025
Environmental Impacts of Conventional Burial and Cremation Processes Voices in Bioethics at Columbia University, July 2, 2025
Biomimicry & Burial: Living and Dying with Nature in Mind Climate One, Maine Public Radio, July 11, 2025 [Starts at approx. 30:00]
Reviving an Ancient—and Green—Burial Tradition by Heather Beasley Doyle, Boston Globe, May 27, 2025
2024
My Dad's Green Burial by Christine Ashley, Friends Journal, April 1, 2024
Eco-friendly burial a 'grassroots movement' on the rise by David Struett, Chicago Sun Times, April 21, 2024
Going Green After Death WMAR-2 News, YouTube video, April 19, 2024
Green burials catch on in Michigan. Cemetery controversy follows by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan, 4.3.24
I buried my parents in a farmer's field next door by Jessica Beard, This is Money, February 28, 2024
2023
More people are opting for an eco-friendly burial in nature DutchNews, September 18, 2023
Natural Burial as a Conservation Strategy by Lee Webster, Land Trust Alliance Saving Land, Summer 2023
5 Common Myths That Families Have About Green Burials by Brand Buzz, Time Bulletin, September 4, 2023
Green Burials: The Growing Appeal of New Earth-Conscious Interment WYPR Maryland Public Radio, April 20, 2023
Grief Without a Grave: Green Burial and Accessibility by Donelle Dreese, Psychology Today, April 15, 2023
Down to Earth: Peaceful conservation burials benefit the planet—a final gift from loved ones by Cathy Jesse, The National Wildlife Federation, March 31, 2023
Death Has a Big Carbon Footprint by Esta Pratt-Kielley, interviewed outtakes with Lee Webster, Maine Public Radio, February 24, 2023
Unearthing the Options by Sophia Smith and Jacob Shaddock for C-Span's 2023 StudentCam Competition, January 18, 2023
2022
Back to the Earth: Non-traditional Burials by Rosie Wolf Williams, Next Avenue, November 16, 2022
What Mama Wants podcast with Kate Manahan, June 14, 2022
In These Cemeteries, Nature Also Rests in Peace by Xander Peters, National Geographic, April 2022
From Dust You Came and to Dust You Shall Return by Raquel G. Frolich, Bull Magazine, June 2022
Saving the Environment and Cash Through Green Burials by Lindsay Kalter, MedScape, April 4, 2022
Green Burials: The Sustainable Solution for Cemeteries, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, February 1, 2022
The Push for Sustainable Death by Amanda Gokey, Concord Monitor, January 26, 2022
2021
All Things Green Burial on the inaugural episode WWHR's Let's Have Words with Lara Samuel, December 9, 2021
Green Burial? Home Funeral? Local Advocates Want You to Know Your Options by Abby Hamilton, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, October 25, 2021
Green Burial Wants to Clean Up American Funerals by Jake Maynard, Slate, February 5, 2021
Put Me in a Wooden Box by Nick Wooten, Associated Press/The Ledger Enquirer, April 24, 2021
What It's Like to Have a Funeral at Home by Christina Leimer, NextAvenue, March 24, 2021
People Who Love the Land Are Getting Interested in Green Burials by Amanda Gokee, VTDigger, January 10, 2021
2020
Brooklyn Neighbors Come Together to Bury a Stranger by Julie Walker, AP News, May 1, 2020
More catholics choose green burials, hoping for a lighter footprint by Valerie Zehl, US Catholic Magazine, April 21, 2020
The ‘green death’ movement: Scientific advances give more eco-friendly funeral options by Emily Gillespie, Fortune Magazine, April 9, 2020
Green Burial: We’re All In the Same Cycle of Life by Nancy DeVault, Natural Awakenings, April 4, 2020
It takes Less Than 30 Days to Compost a Human Body by Jef Akst, The Scientist, February 17, 2020
"Mushroom Burial Suit" Called Into Question by Diane Ionescu, Connecting Directors, February 10, 2020
The Emotional Wallop of My Friend’s Green Burial by Janet Siroto, NextAvenue, January 30, 2020
Books We Recommend
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The Green Burial Masterclass Companion
by Holly Blue Hawkins and Lee Webster available through Amazon The Companion is designed for students of the Green Burial Masterclass at Redesigning the End, a 12-week self-paced, comprehensive online course that focuses on the tools, techniques, and technology used in operating a natural cemetery. |
Changing Landscapes: Exploring the growth of ethical, compassionate, and environmentally sustainable green funeral service
by Lee Webster with contributions from green burial thought leaders, including Dr. Billy Campbell
CreateSpace/Amazon Books
A collection of thought leaders seeking ways to honor our commitment to ethical and compassionate funeral practices that nourish the relationships between families and providers, the profession and the public, humans and the Earth
by Lee Webster with contributions from green burial thought leaders, including Dr. Billy Campbell
CreateSpace/Amazon Books
A collection of thought leaders seeking ways to honor our commitment to ethical and compassionate funeral practices that nourish the relationships between families and providers, the profession and the public, humans and the Earth
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Our Last Best Act
by Mallory McDuff Broadleaf Books available through Amazon McDuff bridges the gap between environmental action and religious faith by demonstrating that when the two are combined, they become a powerful force for the greater good. Full of practical information and support, this book equips readers to make decisions for their own end-of-life planning. |
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Corpse Care: Ethics for Tending the Dead
by Cody J. Sanders and Michael C. Parsons Fortress Press Available through Amazon Corpse Care relates the history of death care in the U.S. to craft robust, constructive, practical ethics for tending the dead. It specifically relates corpse care to economic, environmental, and pastoral concerns. |
Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death
by Josh Slocum & Lisa Carlson
Upper Access Press
Hinesburg, VT
[email protected]
802-482-2988
A guide to the legal rights of families to care for their own dead in the US
by Josh Slocum & Lisa Carlson
Upper Access Press
Hinesburg, VT
[email protected]
802-482-2988
A guide to the legal rights of families to care for their own dead in the US
Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial
by Mark Harris
Scribner; Simon and Schuster
Grave Matters follows families who found in "green" burial a more natural, more economic, and ultimately more meaningful alternative to the tired and toxic send-off on offer at the local funeral parlor
by Mark Harris
Scribner; Simon and Schuster
Grave Matters follows families who found in "green" burial a more natural, more economic, and ultimately more meaningful alternative to the tired and toxic send-off on offer at the local funeral parlor
Greening Death: Reclaiming Burial Practices and Restoring Our Tie to the Earth
by Suzanne Kelly
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
200 Park Ave. South, Suite 1109
New York NY 10003
212-529-3888
Traces the philosophical and historical backstory of the home funeral and green burial movements to help try to explain why people are clamoring for more sustainable death practices and a new model for achieving them
by Suzanne Kelly
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
200 Park Ave. South, Suite 1109
New York NY 10003
212-529-3888
Traces the philosophical and historical backstory of the home funeral and green burial movements to help try to explain why people are clamoring for more sustainable death practices and a new model for achieving them
Re-imagining Death: Stories and Practical Wisdom for Home Funerals and Green Burials
by Lucinda Herring
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-549-4270
Offers stories and guidance for home funeral vigils, and more
by Lucinda Herring
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-549-4270
Offers stories and guidance for home funeral vigils, and more
In the Checklist of Life: A Book to Help You Live and Leave This Life!
by Lynn McPhelimy
AAIP Publishing Company
PO Box 102
Rockfall, CT 06481
"Everyone knows that we all should have our affairs in order. But, how do you start? In this working book...Leave an organized personalized plan, a true gift of love."
by Lynn McPhelimy
AAIP Publishing Company
PO Box 102
Rockfall, CT 06481
"Everyone knows that we all should have our affairs in order. But, how do you start? In this working book...Leave an organized personalized plan, a true gift of love."
Last Wishes
by Lucinda Page Knox, MSW & Michael D. Knox, PhD
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley, CA 94703
A handbook to guide your survivors.
A place for final instructions, funeral details and special messages
by Lucinda Page Knox, MSW & Michael D. Knox, PhD
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley, CA 94703
A handbook to guide your survivors.
A place for final instructions, funeral details and special messages
What to Do When A Loved One Dies
by Eva Shaw
Dickens Press
PO Box 4-289
Irvine, CA 92716
800-230-8158
A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms. Good Reference. Not a workbook
by Eva Shaw
Dickens Press
PO Box 4-289
Irvine, CA 92716
800-230-8158
A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms. Good Reference. Not a workbook
Businesses and Organizations
Carolina Wild strives to be the premier source for nursery propagated native plants in the upstate region of South Carolina. They are a family-operated business with greenhouse and nursery working with native plant materials.
Conservation Burial Alliance is a a dedicated group of owners, operators, advocates, and partners working together to support the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of conservation land that incorporates natural burial cemeteries.
Final Passages This is an organization dedicated to bringing back the home funeral—not unlike the hospice movement in the 1970's that brought dying back home.
Funeral Consumers Alliance Lots of great information for those considering planning their funerals. Better information on financial issues than on green issues, but worth the surf over.
Glendale Natural Preserve This is another sister preserve in the Florida Panhandle. A beautiful site with long leaf pine and wetlands.
Global Ideas Bank The idea for Memorial Ecosystems date to before the late Nicholas Aubrey created the Natural Death Care Centre. The group initially was less green than focused on simplicity and home funerals.
Green Burial Council was founded by Joe Sehee and works to promulgate standards for conservation burial that are based largely on the Campbell Principles and have been updated to reflect the changes in practices that are required as the field matures. The Council is doing work absolutely essential for ensuring that natural burial becomes a potent land protecting tool and is the main force in educating the public about eco-friendly burial options.
Jewish-Funerals.org This page promotes traditional Jewish Funerals. It is interesting that traditional, community-run (and very green) funerals never went out of style.
Land Trust Alliance is the voice of the land trust community. As the national leader in policy, standards, education and training, they work passionately to support land trusts so they can save and secure more lands now and for future generations.
National Home Funeral Alliance is a national nonprofit that is committed to supporting home funeral education and empowering families to care for their own dead. They offer instructional books and papers to assist you in making home funeral plans that are legal, affordable, and meaningful for all.
Natural Areas Association is dedicated to empowering its members who collectively advance the preservation natural diversity and raise awareness of conservation research, advocacy and stewardship.
Shine on Brightly Decorative cremation urns and memorial objects.
Society for Ecological Restoration is a global community of restoration professionals that includes researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and community leaders from Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas. SER members are actively engaged in the ecologically sensitive repair and recovery of degraded ecosystems utilizing a broad array of experiences, knowledge sets, and cultural perspectives.
South Carolina Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of native plant communities in South Carolina.
Southern Grasslands InitiativeGrassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southern grasslands are nearly extinct and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. Find out how you can join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute to rebuild the South's forgotten grasslands.
Upstate Forever promotes sensible growth and the protection of special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The membership-based, nonprofit organization covers nine counties (Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union). They have three main programs: Land Trust, Sustainable Communities, and Clean Air and Water.
Carolina Wild strives to be the premier source for nursery propagated native plants in the upstate region of South Carolina. They are a family-operated business with greenhouse and nursery working with native plant materials.
Conservation Burial Alliance is a a dedicated group of owners, operators, advocates, and partners working together to support the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of conservation land that incorporates natural burial cemeteries.
Final Passages This is an organization dedicated to bringing back the home funeral—not unlike the hospice movement in the 1970's that brought dying back home.
Funeral Consumers Alliance Lots of great information for those considering planning their funerals. Better information on financial issues than on green issues, but worth the surf over.
Glendale Natural Preserve This is another sister preserve in the Florida Panhandle. A beautiful site with long leaf pine and wetlands.
Global Ideas Bank The idea for Memorial Ecosystems date to before the late Nicholas Aubrey created the Natural Death Care Centre. The group initially was less green than focused on simplicity and home funerals.
Green Burial Council was founded by Joe Sehee and works to promulgate standards for conservation burial that are based largely on the Campbell Principles and have been updated to reflect the changes in practices that are required as the field matures. The Council is doing work absolutely essential for ensuring that natural burial becomes a potent land protecting tool and is the main force in educating the public about eco-friendly burial options.
Jewish-Funerals.org This page promotes traditional Jewish Funerals. It is interesting that traditional, community-run (and very green) funerals never went out of style.
Land Trust Alliance is the voice of the land trust community. As the national leader in policy, standards, education and training, they work passionately to support land trusts so they can save and secure more lands now and for future generations.
National Home Funeral Alliance is a national nonprofit that is committed to supporting home funeral education and empowering families to care for their own dead. They offer instructional books and papers to assist you in making home funeral plans that are legal, affordable, and meaningful for all.
Natural Areas Association is dedicated to empowering its members who collectively advance the preservation natural diversity and raise awareness of conservation research, advocacy and stewardship.
Shine on Brightly Decorative cremation urns and memorial objects.
Society for Ecological Restoration is a global community of restoration professionals that includes researchers, practitioners, decision-makers, and community leaders from Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas. SER members are actively engaged in the ecologically sensitive repair and recovery of degraded ecosystems utilizing a broad array of experiences, knowledge sets, and cultural perspectives.
South Carolina Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of native plant communities in South Carolina.
Southern Grasslands InitiativeGrassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southern grasslands are nearly extinct and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. Find out how you can join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute to rebuild the South's forgotten grasslands.
Upstate Forever promotes sensible growth and the protection of special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The membership-based, nonprofit organization covers nine counties (Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union). They have three main programs: Land Trust, Sustainable Communities, and Clean Air and Water.
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