What is Natural Burial?
What Is Natural Burial?
Natural burial is the practice of returning the body to the earth without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults — allowing nature to do what it has always done.
It is the oldest form of burial there is.
A Gentle Return
With natural burial, the body is placed directly into the earth — typically in a simple shroud or biodegradable container — and allowed to decompose naturally. No preservatives. No steel. No concrete liner separating you from the soil.
The burial itself becomes part of the ecosystem.
How Is It Different From Conventional, Casketed Burial?
Most conventional funerals involve:
- Embalming with formaldehyde-based chemicals
- Casket made with non-biodegradable materials
- A concrete burial vault that resists — rather than allows — natural decomposition
Natural burial removes all of that. The body is prepared simply, buried at a natural depth, and returned to the earth.
The result is a burial that is gentle on the environment.
Why Do People Choose It?
It reflects their values. For people who care for the natural world, a natural burial is a final act of consistency — a life lived close to the earth, ended the same way.
It's meaningful without being elaborate. There's a quiet simplicity to it. No embalming, no ornate casket, no concrete vault. Just the earth, and a life that mattered.
It leaves something behind. When a natural burial site is managed as a nature preserve or conservation land, the burial itself contributes to that land — becoming part of something larger and lasting.
Where Can Natural Burial Take Place in Illinois?
Natural burial requires a cemetery that has designated space and policies for it — not every cemetery offers it, and availability in Lake and McHenry Counties is still growing.
We maintain an up-to-date list of local cemeteries currently offering natural burial options.
If the cemetery you are interested in is not listed, please let us know by filling out the form below. We're actively working to expand natural burial access, and family interest is one of the most powerful tools for encouraging cemeteries to offer it. When you share a cemetery with us, you're not just telling us your preference — you're potentially helping other families in the future.
Is It Right for You — or Your Family?
That's a question only you can answer. But if you've found yourself here, chances are something about this resonates.
If something here sparked a question, reach out.
