How to Arrange a Green Burial in California: A 2026 Guide

Green burial California residents are choosing today looks different from traditional funerals. This natural approach skips embalming chemicals, concrete vaults and steel caskets. Instead, loved ones return to the earth in containers that break down naturally.

More Californians want burial options that match their environmental values. Natural burial costs less while doing less harm to the planet.

Are you considering green burial options for yourself or a loved one? The team at After is here to guide you through your options with honesty, care and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.

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What Makes a Burial Green?

A burial becomes green when it removes all harmful effects on nature. The body gets no embalming fluids. Families choose only containers that break down naturally. The burial site uses no concrete vaults or man-made materials.

Natural burial grounds in California protect the land rather than change it. Some sites skip traditional headstones. Others allow small natural markers, like carved river stones. The goal stays the same: let the body return to soil naturally.

Why California Families Choose Natural Burial

Families choose green burial for two main reasons: caring for the environment and saving money. 

Traditional funerals put 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid, 1.6 million tons of concrete and 20 million board feet of hardwood (including wood from rainforests) into the earth each year.

Cremation releases around 360,000 metric tons of CO2 each year across the United States. Natural burial gets rid of these costs to nature while often lowering total expenses.

Green Burial Costs in California

Natural burial plots in California usually cost between $4,000 and $10,000. This price shows that fewer people buy them compared to traditional cemetery spaces. However, the total cost stays lower because families skip several major expenses.

You avoid paying for additional services, like embalming, which can cost up to $700. Metal caskets that cost up to $10,000 are not needed. Granite headstones costing thousands of dollars get replaced with simple natural markers or native plants.

What Containers That Break Down Naturally Cost

Biodegradable caskets or shrouds range from $100 to $700. Wicker or bamboo caskets cost $700 to $1,500. Plain, unfinished pine boxes without metal parts are $400 to $700. Natural fiber shrouds are often the most affordable option, averaging $100-$300.

Finding Green Burial Sites in California

California offers several natural burial locations across the state. These sites fall into different types based on how much they focus on protecting nature. Hybrid cemeteries set aside specific sections for green burial within regular grounds.

Natural burial grounds work only on green principles.

Conservation burial grounds combine natural burial with protecting the land forever. California currently has no conservation sites, though families can travel to nearby states like Washington for this option.

Notable Natural Burial Grounds

Several California cemeteries now accommodate green burial practices:

• Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley sits on 32 acres near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The property includes forest and meadow burial sites with Mount Tamalpais views.
  
  
• The Meadow at Westwood Hills Memorial Park in Placerville offers plots for $1,500. Opening and closing services cost $750. The site also accommodates remains in biodegradable containers.
  
  
• Joshua Tree Memorial Park near Joshua Tree National Park provides green burial sections. Plots cost $3,667 plus $1,200 for opening and closing the grave.
  
  
• Davis Cemetery District includes green burial with a vault lid system. This allows the body to contact the earth while maintaining site stability. Single plots cost $1,250 plus $1,775 for opening and closing the grave.

Legal Requirements for Green Burial in California

California law doesn’t require funeral directors. Families can handle arrangements themselves, but must get proper paperwork within specific time frames.

File for the death certificate with your local registrar within eight days. Get a Permit for Disposition ($12) from the registrar's office. The cemetery needs this permit before doing the burial.

Home Burial Considerations

California allows burial only in approved cemeteries. People in cities cannot create burial sites on private property. Rural landowners can apply to declare land as an approved home burial cemetery.

This licensing process takes a lot of time. You must plan well ahead if you want to do this. Death doulas or groups like Final Passages can guide families through home funeral processes within the legal limits.

Comparing Green Burial to Cremation

Cremation is the most common choice for California families. It skips embalming and concrete vaults, but it requires a lot of energy. Many green burial sites accept cremated remains.

Ashes are natural and clean. But some conservation areas have rules against scattering due to soil chemistry caused by high calcium levels.

Water Cremation as a Middle Ground

Alkaline hydrolysis (also called water cremation or aquamation) offers a greener choice because it uses water and heat. California allows this method. Costs range from $1,500 to $3,500, with less pollution than flame cremation.

Working With Green Burial Providers

More funeral homes now offer natural burial services. Make sure providers have experience with green practices and connections with natural burial grounds. Some cemeteries have specific rules for burial containers.

Understanding Green Burial Certification

The Green Burial Council (GBC) set up standards for natural burial in 2005. GBC approval helps families find providers that meet proven, nature-friendly standards. Look for approved providers to make sure they follow established green rules.

Making Green Burial More Accessible

Not every community offers green burial options. You can make regular burial more friendly to the environment by skipping embalming and choosing simple wood caskets, cardboard containers or shrouds.

Ask cemeteries about vault options, like concrete boxes with open bottoms. Contact local sites and city councils to show interest in greener options.

Financing Natural Burial Arrangements

Green burial costs less than traditional services, but families still need to plan for expenses. Several payment options can help cover natural burial costs.

Some families use funeral expense loans from banks, credit unions or private lenders. Compare interest rates and terms carefully before deciding. Crowdfunding websites allow friends and family to help pay for burial costs.

Religious and local groups sometimes give financial help during hard times. 

Veterans may qualify for burial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA covers up to $978 for burial expenses and $978 for plot costs for eligible service members. Service-related deaths get up to $2,000 toward burial expenses.

After is a modern cremation provider, not a green burial service. However, families who need flexible payment options can use LilyPay to spread payments across 3 or 6 months for a flat fee. 

Planning Ahead When Looking at Green Burial California Options

Planning ahead removes stress from your family during hard times. You can buy burial plots years before you need them. Many natural burial grounds allow prepayment, locking in current prices.

Write down your wishes clearly. State which burial site you prefer, what type of container you want and whether you want any markers. Share this information with family members and keep copies where people can find them.

Some families begin this process after a loved one enters hospice care or gets a terminal diagnosis. This timing lets the individual help make decisions while lowering pressure on family members later. You can learn more about cremation planning options on our website.

For those planning six months to 20 years ahead, prepaid plans lock in pricing and complete paperwork early. 

Are you wondering about your green burial California options and whether cremation might better suit your needs? The team at After is here to guide you through your options with honesty, care and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427 or explore plans online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Green Burial Legal in California?

Yes, green burial is legal in California. State law allows burial without embalming, concrete vaults or metal caskets. You need proper papers and must use an approved cemetery.

Can I Have a Viewing With Green Burial?

Yes, you can have a viewing with a green burial. The body stays cold instead of being embalmed. Some families hold viewings at home or in funeral homes before the burial.

What Happens to the Body in Green Burial?

The body breaks down naturally in a green burial and returns to the soil. This process feeds the earth and helps new plants grow. It usually takes several months to a few years to complete.

Do Green Burial Sites Require Maintenance?

No, green burial sites don't require much care. They avoid mowing, chemical fertilizers and heavy landscaping. Many keep the land natural, which helps lower costs and the impact on nature.