Guide to Green Burials
Green, or natural, burials offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional funeral options, designed to minimize impact on the earth. They typically avoid embalming fluids, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults. Instead, biodegradable materials like pine or wicker caskets, or linen, cotton, or silk shrouds, are used to allow the body to decompose naturally and return to the earth.
Green Burial vs. Natural Burial
Green Burial refers to both the preparation of the body and the burial process.
Natural Burial refers specifically to the burial method—graves are dug by hand, and no heavy machinery or synthetic materials are used.
Why Choose a Green Burial?
Green Burials are a personal and meaningful choice, often made by those with a deep love for nature or a desire to give back to the planet. For some, it aligns with their values of simplicity, conservation, and sustainability.
Where Can Someone Be Buried Naturally?
There are over 220 natural burial cemeteries in the U.S., according to U.S. Funerals Online. These fall into three main categories:
Conservation Burial Grounds – Focused on ecological restoration and habitat protection.
Natural Burial Cemeteries – Dedicated solely to natural burial practices.
Hybrid Cemeteries – Traditional cemeteries with designated green burial sections.
Natural Burial Cemeteries Near Madison, WI
Natural Path Sanctuary (Verona, WI) – Part of the Farley Center for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability.
Circle Cemetery (near Barneveld, WI) – Part of Circle Sanctuary.
Brenda Emerson, a Funeral Director at Ryan Funeral Homes, volunteers at Natural Path Sanctuary and often helps hand-dig graves alongside colleagues, family, and friends. “I told the [Farley] Center I’d like to help and for them to call on me if they needed help with digging grave sites. I just wanted to help and to learn,” Brenda shared.
Green Burial Costs
Cemetery plot: Typically ranges from $1,500 – $4,000
Natural Path Sanctuary: $3,500 ($1,000 for the plot + $2,500 donation to the Farley Center)
Ryan Funeral Home Green Burial Packages: Start at $4,500, averaging $5,000 – $8,000
Many families choose to host a traditional funeral service or visitation before the green burial.
Getting Started
You can:
Contact our team at Ryan Funeral Homes for help with arrangements.
Reserve a burial plot directly through a green cemetery like Natural Path Sanctuary.
Discuss options for combining a green burial with visitation, a community event, or volunteer activity in honor of your loved one.
Pre-planning and pre-paying for your services can bring peace of mind, ensuring your wishes are met and costs are covered in advance.
Meet Brenda Emerson and Learn More
Watch Brenda’s story and see what a green burial looks like at Natural Path Sanctuary:
📺 Watch on YouTube
Questions or Ready to Begin?
Visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com/contact-us
Or Start the Pre-Planning Process