What Is Green Burial? How It Differs from Conventional Burial
October 26, 2026 by Mat Olejniczak and Andrew Ringa
What Is Green Burial? How It Differs from Conventional Burial
Green burial (also called natural burial) is a way of caring for a body after death that avoids embalming, uses only biodegradable materials, and allows the body to return to the earth naturally — without a concrete or metal vault slowing that process. The terms "green burial" and "natural burial" describe exactly the same thing; which one you hear often just depends on who's talking or which part of the country you're in.

At its core, green burial is less a new invention than a return to how burial worked for most of human history, before embalming and vaults became standard in the 20th century.
How it differs from conventional burial
The differences come down to a handful of choices, each optional in conventional burial but intentional in green burial:
| Conventional burial | Green burial | |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming | Common, often assumed | Not used |
| Burial vault | Usually required by the cemetery | Not used |
| Casket or shroud | Metal, finished wood, or other non-biodegradable materials common | Biodegradable materials only — untreated wood, wicker, pine, or a shroud |
| Grave marker | Upright or flush granite or bronze headstone common | Flat natural stone, natural boulder, or no marker, depending on the cemetery |
| Burial ground | Manicured lawn, uniform rows | Often a more natural, meadow-like or wooded setting |
None of these differences are about doing less — they're about choosing materials and a process that let the body return to the earth rather than resist it.
Why it's called both "green burial" and "natural burial"
There's no meaningful difference between the two — they describe the same practice. "Natural burial" tends to emphasize the process (returning to the earth naturally), while "green burial" tends to emphasize the environmental benefit. Some people use "natural burial" to refer to burial at a cemetery that makes specific efforts to maintain it as an ecological conservation site, often using an abundance of native prairie, meadow, and woodland plants. Both terms are accurate, and most providers, including us, use them interchangeably depending on context.
Where certification fits in
Because "green" and "natural" aren't legally defined terms, not every provider that uses them follows the same standards. The Green Burial Council (GBC) sets independent standards for what counts as a genuinely green burial ground, product, or provider, and certifies those that meet them. Illinois Natural Burial is GBC certified.
What this looks like at Illinois Natural Burial
We work with cemetery partners across Lake County, McHenry County, and the greater Chicago area, some offering natural, meadow-like burial grounds rather than conventional manicured lawns. If you're curious whether this is the right fit for you or someone you love, we're happy to talk it through — no pressure, just honest answers.
Call us any time: 847-242-1514
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