End of Life Planning Guide | Eco Funeral Options | Updated April 2026
Why choose a natural burial today?
Our funeral rituals have been changing over the last decade. There has been a significant shift towards cremation services, which now account for 63% of all dispositions nationwide. But at the same time, we are seeing a growing societal concern about climate change and carbon emissions.
Is it time to look for more sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to death care? This guide to green burial will answer your questions about sustainable death care options in New York.
Key Takeaways – Green Burial in New York
- Green burial is legal in New York: Families can choose natural burial options that avoid embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete vaults.
- Several cemeteries now offer natural burial sections: Some traditional cemeteries provide designated green burial areas, while others operate as dedicated conservation burial grounds.
- Green burial can be more affordable than conventional funerals: Costs are often lower because embalming, vaults, and expensive caskets are not required.
- Biodegradable burial containers are typically required: Natural burials usually use simple pine caskets, wicker coffins, or burial shrouds made from natural fibers.
- Families may still hold meaningful memorial services: A graveside gathering or celebration of life can be arranged at the burial site or at another meaningful location.
- Planning ahead helps families explore eco-friendly options: Preplanning a green burial ensures your environmental wishes are clearly documented.
According to a recent consumer survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, 61.7% of Americans are considering a green funeral, and 72% of cemeteries report increased demand for natural burial options.
A green burial can reduce your ‘final’ carbon footprint and will cost less than a traditional funeral, as many expensive items, such as a steel casket and a concrete burial vault, are not required.
What makes a funeral ‘green’?
A green funeral is a disposition with a lower environmental impact. To achieve the ‘greenest’ funeral, the body is not embalmed and is buried in an eco-friendly biodegradable container straight into the ground with no vault. Green burial sites that meet high green standards will use only eco-friendly grave markers (such as a local rock marker) and may plant shrubs or trees to help restore the natural habitat.
What does a natural burial cost in New York?
The cost of a green funeral or natural burial may be broken into 2 elements. The cost for a natural burial plot, and the cost for a professional green burial funeral service. The average cost for a green burial service in New York is between $2,400 and $4,300. This is for the services of a funeral home to prepare the deceased for a natural burial, obtain the death certificates and permits, and transportation to a green cemetery.
Typical Green Burial Costs in New York
The cost of a natural burial in New York can vary depending on the cemetery, burial container, and services selected. The estimates below illustrate common price ranges.
| Green Burial Expense | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Natural burial cemetery plot | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Opening and closing of grave | $800 – $2,500 |
| Basic funeral home services | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Biodegradable casket or burial shroud | $200 – $1,500 |
| Total typical green burial cost | $3,500 – $8,000 |
Costs can vary by cemetery location and services chosen. Some conservation burial grounds also charge land stewardship fees that support habitat preservation.
Prices for a green burial plot vary by cemetery. Typically, the average cost for a natural burial plot is $1,000 to $4,000. Many cemeteries also offer the option for the natural interment of cremated remains. The average price for cremated remains burial is $450.
This means that in New York, the total minimum cost to conduct a green burial (funeral service fee + green cemetery plot) is likely to be $3,600 or more. Taking into account the funeral director’s fees and the lowest cost cemetery plot.
How much does a green funeral service cost?
New York has strict rules governing funeral services and licensing. It is one of a few states where a family is required to hire a funeral director for the transportation of the deceased and to file for permits and death certificates with the county.
This can impact the cost of natural burial in New York, as you are required to use a licensed funeral director’s services rather than arranging transport to the burial site and obtaining the permits.
To employ the services of a funeral home to deliver a green funeral service, you will find that there are a number of funeral service providers who offer green burials. As mentioned above, the cost for a green funeral service ranges from $2,400 to $4,300, plus the burial plot and cemetery fees.
We have included below the details of funeral homes in New York known to offer green funeral services. Click here to view green funeral service providers.
Why More Families Are Choosing Green Burial in New York
Green burial has become increasingly popular in New York as families look for environmentally responsible end-of-life options. Unlike traditional burial practices, natural burial avoids the use of embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults.
Instead, the body is returned to the earth using biodegradable materials, such as pine caskets, wicker coffins, or natural-fiber burial shrouds. Many natural burial grounds also focus on land conservation, allowing burial sites to function as protected natural landscapes.
For families seeking a simpler, more environmentally conscious farewell, green burial offers an alternative that can be both meaningful and cost-effective.
Finding a natural burial cemetery site in New York
We have 11 green burial cemeteries listed in our Natural Burial directory for New York. There are 3 classifications of green burial sites as certified by the Green Burial Council (GBC).
Hybrid – where an existing traditional cemetery has a separate green burial section.
Natural Burial – a cemetery committed to natural burial and maintaining the existing landscape.
Conservation Burial – dedicated natural burial site backed by a conservation organization, where the commitment to conserving and restoring the natural habitat is paramount.
There are no conservation burial sites in New York, but there are 8 natural burial cemeteries and 3 Hybrid green burial cemeteries.
Use our green burial directory to locate your nearest green burial location.
Surprisingly, New York has more green burial cemeteries than any other state. Many upstate rural cemeteries are older county or Catholic cemeteries with designated natural burial sections (Hybrid). And burial plots in rural upstate cemeteries are extremely affordable, with a single plot costing as little as $500 – $800. (Opening fees still apply of $700).
How to find a Green Funeral Service Provider
There are a number of funeral service providers in New York that offer green funeral services alongside their traditional funeral service offerings. You can use the list below of New York funeral homes that offer green funerals.
New York funeral laws for natural burial
New York has some rather restrictive funeral laws that some would consider quite archaic in light of how the funeral industry has evolved in recent years. New York is one of only a few states that require a funeral director’s involvement in final arrangements for disposition.
A removal or burial permit can only be issued to a funeral director (NY Public Health Law 4140), meaning you need a funeral director to transport the deceased and oversee the burial/interment. A funeral director must also file for the death certificate within 72 hours of the death, and before a burial or cremation permit can be issued.
Can you conduct a Home Funeral in New York?
Due to the strict laws mentioned above, conducting a home funeral is more difficult than in many other states. It is possible – but you will need the help of a funeral director willing to support your wish to conduct a home funeral.
New York law does allow for a person to dedicate private land for use as a family cemetery. It cannot exceed 3 acres and not be located within 300 feet of a dwelling. The designation of land as a family cemetery must be registered with the local county clerk.
More information about Home Funerals can be found at DIY Funeral Care: Family-directed Funerals.
Is Cremation a ‘greener’ funeral alternative?
Cremation has become more popular in the last decade. Some would say it is more environmentally friendly than traditional burial – eliminating embalming toxins and steel and concrete from the death care process. However, carbon emissions from flame cremation and the use of gas (the equivalent of a 500-mile car trip) still result in a significant carbon footprint.
Many natural burial cemeteries do offer the natural burial of cremated remains. In cremation, the body is reduced to its natural organic elements. So, it is possible to arrange a natural burial of cremated remains.
Is Aquamation, Water cremation, or Bio Cremation available in New York?
As water cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) offers a much ‘greener’ cremation alternative, more states are adopting (or changing) legislation to legalize this process for the disposition of human remains.
A bill was introduced in the New York Congress in 2011 to legalize aquamation, but it was opposed by religious groups. At present, there are no laws or regulations governing aquamation in New York. As the public begins to demand more eco-friendly death care alternatives, we are witnessing an uptake of water cremation in more states. However, there seem to be few states in the northeast that have yet approved aquamation.
Hopefully, the current political focus on climate change and reduction of carbon emissions may drive an agenda to explore regulating the adoption of alternative eco-dispositions such as alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction (NOR), otherwise known as human composting.
Read more about Aquamation as a green alternative. Or our Guide to Human Composting: Natural Organic Reduction Explained.
At present, the only 2 states in the Northeast with aquamation are Maine and Vermont.
Can cremated remains be interred in a natural burial site?
Yes, many green burial cemeteries offer the option to bury cremated remains. The cremated remains will need to be buried in a biodegradable urn container.
Where Can You Scatter Ashes in New York in an Eco-Friendly Way?
Families choosing cremation as part of an environmentally conscious end-of-life plan often consider scattering ashes as a simple and meaningful memorial option. In New York, cremated remains may be scattered in several locations as long as certain guidelines are followed.
Private Property
Ashes may be scattered on private land with the permission of the property owner. Many families choose meaningful locations such as a family home, garden, or rural property where their loved one had a personal connection.
Scattering at Sea
Federal regulations allow ashes to be scattered in the ocean, provided the scattering takes place at least three nautical miles from shore. After the scattering, the event should be reported to the United States Environmental Protection Agency within 30 days.
Public Lands and Parks
Some families wish to scatter ashes in scenic locations such as forests, lakes, or mountains. In many cases this is possible, but permission may be required from the managing authority, such as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation or the National Park Service for federal lands.
Cemetery Scattering Gardens
Many cemeteries offer designated scattering gardens where cremated remains can be scattered or buried. This option provides a permanent memorial location while still maintaining a natural setting.
Environmentally Friendly Scattering
Families choosing an eco-friendly memorial may wish to use biodegradable urns or scattering tubes, which break down naturally and reduce environmental impact.
What type of burial container do you need for a green burial?
There are various biodegradable burial container options accepted by green burial cemeteries. Some cemeteries may have certain restrictions on what containers are permitted, so always check with the cemetery.
Typical green burial vessels are wicker or bamboo woven caskets resembling baskets, wool, muslin, canvas, or linen burial shrouds, or cardboard caskets. Wood caskets may be accepted in some cemeteries, but usually with no metal nails or handles, and to be truly sustainable, no toxic glue or varnish.
A green funeral service provider will typically offer a range of sustainable, biodegradable burial containers. Prices for a green burial container range from $450 to $1,800.
Sometimes, families will opt to use a favorite fabric of the deceased or even a memento quilt as a burial shroud. Blank canvas shrouds can be personalized and decorated to commemorate a loved one.
Want to learn more about green burial? Read 5 Reasons to Choose a Natural or Green Burial.
Green Burial Council (GBC) – certified green standards
The Green Burial Council was established in 2005 as a non-profit educational organization to help steward, educate, and establish universal standards in sustainable death care practices.
The GBC provides certification for green burial cemeteries to ensure the public has assurance of the standards achieved and maintained by a GBC-certified provider.
GBC certification falls into 3 main categories:
Hybrid cemetery, Natural Burial Ground, and Conservation Burial Ground.
You can read more about each of these certifications and what they mean on our Guide to Green Burial.
Directory of Funeral Service Providers in New York, known as Green Funeral Providers
| Location | Funeral Home | Phone Number | Green Funeral Service Price (not including cemetery fees) |
| Brooklyn | Greenwood Heights Funeral & Cremation Services | (718) 768-1212 | |
| Brooklyn | Fitting Tribute Funeral Services | (718) 338-8080 | From $2,395 |
| Manhattan | Crestwood Cremation & Funeral Services | (212) 431-6080 | |
| Rochester | James R. Gray Funeral Home | (585) 247-6360 | From $2,030 |
| Rochester | Crawford Funeral Home | (585) 482-0400 | |
| Rochester | Miller Funeral & Cremation Services | (585) 424-3700 | From $2,960 |
| Cazenovia | Michael E. Brown Funeral Services | (315) 655-4615 | |
| Tarrytown | Hudson Green Funeral Services (Dwyer & Michael’s Funeral Home) | (914) 631-0621 | |
| Tarrytown | Coffey Funeral Home | (914) 631-0983 | |
| Middletown | Dewitt-Martinez Funeral & Cremation Services | (845) 343-6918 | |
| Island Park | Kleinberg Funeral Services | (516) 400-5580 | |
| Binghamton | Bednarsky Funeral Home | (607) 797-2053 | From $1,795 |
| Waverly | Blauvelt Funeral Home | (607) 565-7301 |
FAQs – Green Burial in New York
Yes. Green or natural burial is legal in New York. State law does not require embalming for burial, allowing environmentally friendly burial options. However, burials must take place in an approved cemetery, and a burial permit must be obtained before interment.
No. Embalming is not required by law in New York unless a body must be transported under certain conditions or kept for an extended time. For natural burial, refrigeration or prompt burial is usually used instead of embalming.
New York law does not require burial vaults, but some cemeteries may require them as part of their internal policies. Green burial cemeteries or designated natural burial sections typically prohibit vaults in order to allow the body to return naturally to the earth.
Yes. Many families still hold a graveside ceremony or celebration of life during a natural burial. Others choose to hold a memorial service later at a church, community venue, or family gathering location.
Green burial can sometimes be more affordable because it avoids embalming, vaults, and expensive caskets. However, the total cost depends on cemetery plot prices and services selected. Some conservation burial grounds may charge higher plot fees because they support land preservation.
Natural Burial Cemeteries in New York
Several cemeteries in New York now offer natural or environmentally friendly burial options.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Located in Sleepy Hollow, this historic cemetery offers a designated natural burial area where biodegradable caskets and shrouds are permitted and burial vaults are not required.
Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve
One of the best-known conservation burial grounds in New York. The cemetery focuses on environmentally responsible burial and habitat preservation in a protected natural landscape.
Willowbrook Cemetery
Willowbrook offers a natural burial section where families can choose eco-friendly burial options without embalming or vaults.
Foxfield Preserve
A dedicated green burial preserve that emphasizes conservation and natural burial practices, allowing biodegradable burial containers and natural landscape memorialization.
