Roselawn Memorial Park 

Green Burial 

Green Burial at Roselawn Memorial Park

A natural way to honor life.

Roselawn Memorial Park is pleased to offer green burial as an option for families who prefer a simpler, more natural approach to burial.

Green burial is an environmentally conscious form of interment that avoids many elements commonly associated with traditional burial, such as chemical embalming, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults. Instead, the body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud, allowing a more natural return to the earth.

For many families, green burial offers a meaningful way to reflect personal values, care for the environment, and create a final tribute that feels peaceful, simple, and respectful.

What Makes a Burial “Green”?

A green burial typically includes:

  • Biodegradable burial containers, such as wood, wicker, seagrass, cardboard, or cloth shrouds

  • No metal caskets or synthetic materials

  • No concrete burial vault

  • No traditional embalming chemicals

  • A burial process designed to allow natural decomposition

Green burial may also be part of a blended service, combining natural burial elements with more traditional funeral or memorial customs.

A Thoughtful Option for Preplanning

Green burial can also be included in preplanning. Choosing this option in advance allows individuals to make their wishes known and gives families peace of mind when the time comes.

Whether you are planning ahead or making arrangements for a loved one, the Roselawn Memorial Park team can explain the available options and help you determine whether green burial is the right choice for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Burial

  • Green burial is a natural burial method that avoids traditional embalming chemicals, metal caskets, concrete vaults, and non-biodegradable materials. The body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shrouds so it can return to the earth naturally.

  • Yes. Green burial is generally permitted in the United States, though specific requirements may vary by state, cemetery, and local regulations. Roselawn Memorial Park can explain the green burial options available at our cemetery.

  • No. Embalming is not required for green burial. Depending on the timing of services and family preferences, refrigeration, dry ice, or approved non-toxic preparation methods may be used.

  • Yes. Families may still choose to have a visitation, viewing, funeral, graveside service, or memorial service. Green burial can be simple, traditional, or blended with other meaningful customs.

  • Green burials use biodegradable materials such as pine, wicker, seagrass, cardboard, or a natural cloth shroud. Metal, plastic, and synthetic materials are generally avoided.

  • No. A green burial does not use a concrete burial vault, allowing for a more natural return to the earth

  • The timing varies depending on soil conditions, climate, and other natural factors. In general, green burial allows decomposition to occur more naturally than burial in a sealed casket or vault.

  • No. Green burial graves are prepared at an appropriate depth and covered with soil in a way that protectsthe burial site.

  • Green burial may reduce certain costs because it does not require traditional embalming, a metal casket, ora concrete burial vault. Final cost depends on the choices a family makes.

  • Yes. Green burial can be part of a preplanning arrangement. Planning ahead allows you to document your wishes and make decisions in advance.

  • In many cases, yes. Green burial can often be adapted to reflect a family’s religious, cultural, or spiritual preferences.

  • Many medical implants, such as hip replacements, may remain in place. Certain devices, such aspace makers, may need to be removed depending on cemetery, funeral home, or regulatory requirements.

  • Grave marker options may vary based on cemetery guidelines. Roselawn Memorial Park can explain the available choices for memorialization.

  • No. Green burial plots at Roselawn Memorial Park are not reused.

  • Yes. This is sometimes called a blended funeral. Families may choose green burial while still includingelements such as a visitation, clergy, music, flowers, printed materials, or a graveside service.

Learn More About Green Burial

If you are interested in green burial for yourself or a loved one, Roselawn Memorial Park is here to help. Our staff can answer your questions, explain your options, and guide you through the planning process with care and compassion.

Contact Roselawn Memorial Park