Green Burial

As environmental consciousness grows, more people are considering alternative methods of disposition and new alternatives to traditional burial. Green burials (also called natural burials) are an ecologically-friendly option that reduce environmental harm by avoiding use of chemicals and non-biodegradable materials. It’s a process by which the body of a deceased person is interred in the soil in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition and allows the body to recycle naturally. Interment of the body is done in a biodegradable wood or wicker casket, or a biodegradable shroud. A green burial service may be right for a person who was an avid nature lover, worked in an environmental science field, or was passionate about living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

If you plan to purchase a burial plot in advance, it’s important to know if your preferred cemetery allows this alternative burial option. Minnesota has several cemeteries that offer green burial. Though most traditional cemeteries can accommodate some level of green burial, they will likely still require a grave liner. Minnesota cemeteries that offer natural burial without a vault or liner:

• Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville

• Mound Cemetery, Brooklyn Center

• Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights

• Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens, Inver Grove Heights

• Traverse Greenlawn Cemetery, St. Peter

• Loving Earth Memorial Gardens, Barnum, MN