Natural burial—also known as green burial—is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families across Maryland and the greater DMV (D.C.–Maryland–Virginia) region. Many people are looking for a simpler, more environmentally conscious, and often more meaningful alternative to conventional funerals.
This guide walks you step-by-step through how natural burial works in Maryland, what the law requires, where you can arrange it locally, and what it typically costs.
What Is a Green Funeral or Natural Burial?
A natural burial is a burial without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete burial vaults. The body is laid to rest in a biodegradable casket or a simple shroud, allowing natural return to the earth.
Key features:
- No embalming (unless required for special circumstances)
- No metal caskets
- No outer burial vault (in true green cemeteries)
- Biodegradable container (wicker, pine, cardboard, or shroud)
- Burial in a conservation or green-designated cemetery section
Natural burial focuses on simplicity, sustainability, and minimal environmental impact.
Is Natural Burial Legal in Maryland?
Yes. Natural burial is fully legal in Maryland.
Maryland law does not require embalming unless:
- The body will be transported across state lines, as required by the receiving state.
- The body cannot be buried or refrigerated within a reasonable timeframe.
For most natural burials in Maryland, refrigeration (rather than embalming) is sufficient.
A licensed funeral director must typically:
- File the death certificate
- Obtain the burial transit permit
- Coordinate with the cemetery
In Maryland, families cannot easily bypass a funeral director because a licensed professional is usually required to handle documentation and transport. This article explains Home Funeral Planning or Conducting a DIY Funeral in more detail.
Can You Have a Natural Burial in the DMV Area?
Yes — but planning is important.
The DMV region includes:
- Maryland
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
Not all cemeteries allow green burial. Many traditional cemeteries require:
- Concrete vaults
- Metal or hardwood caskets
- Embalming in some cases
You must specifically choose:
- A certified green cemetery, or
- A cemetery with a designated natural burial section
Some families in Maryland also choose burial just across state lines in Virginia, depending on availability and cemetery policies.
Where Can You Be Buried Naturally in Maryland and the DMV?
Maryland has several cemeteries that permit natural burial, including:
- Hybrid cemeteries (traditional cemetery with a green section)
- Conservation burial grounds (focused on land preservation)
Availability changes, so it’s essential to confirm:
- Vault policy (must allow no vault)
- Container requirements
- Grave depth requirements
- Marker policies (many allow only flat stones or natural markers)
If you are working with a provider such as the DFS Memorials affordable Provider Carewell in Fairfax, they can help coordinate burial in approved green cemeteries throughout the DMV region.
For Green Burial Advice – Call (571) 506-4464
Does a Body Have to Be Embalmed For a Green Funeral?
No, and embalming is not part of natural burial.
Instead:
- The body is kept refrigerated.
- Burial usually takes place within a few days.
- Dry ice may be used temporarily.
This is one reason natural burial can be more affordable than a conventional funeral.
How Much Does a Natural Burial Cost in Maryland?
Natural burial plot and service costs vary based on:
- Cemetery grave cost
- Opening and closing fee
- Funeral director service fees
- Transportation
- Container
Typical cost range in the DMV area is $3,500–$7,000 total, depending on cemetery fees and funeral services. You can reduce the total cost by arranging a home funeral and transferring the deceased directly to a natural burial cemetery for interment.
For families seeking a simple, affordable natural burial option, contact our Featured Affordable Green Burial Provider at (571) 506-4464.
Natural burial services start at $3,695, and they serve families throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
This Green Burial Package typically includes:
- Professional services
- Filing of the death certificate
- Transportation
- Coordination with the cemetery
- Refrigeration (no embalming)
- Guidance on biodegradable container options
Cemetery costs are usually separate.
What About Home Funerals in Maryland?
Maryland does allow families to care for their loved ones at home for a short time before burial.
However, do note that:
- A death certificate must still be filed.
- A burial permit must be issued.
- Most cemeteries require a funeral director to coordinate interment.
If you are considering a home vigil or home funeral before natural burial, speak with a knowledgeable provider early in the process.
Can You Pre-Plan a Natural Burial?
Yes — and it is highly recommended.
Pre-planning allows you to:
- Choose the cemetery in advance
- Confirm vault-free burial
- Lock in service pricing
- Clearly document your wishes
- Reduce stress on your family
Many families in the DMV area pre-plan natural burial to avoid unwanted embalming or traditional funeral upselling.
What Happens on the Day of a Natural Burial?
Natural burials are often:
- Small and intimate
- Held outdoors
- Family-participatory
Families may:
- Help carry or lower the casket
- Say prayers or share stories graveside
- Mark the grave with a natural stone
Some cemeteries require mechanical lowering equipment; others allow manual lowering.
The atmosphere is usually peaceful and less formal than a conventional funeral.
What Type of Burial Container is Permitted for a Natural Burial?
One of the most common questions families ask is: “What kind of casket can we use for a natural burial?”
The simple answer is: only biodegradable containers are permitted.
Natural burial is designed to allow the body to return to the earth naturally. That means no metal, no synthetic materials, and no sealed or reinforced caskets.
✔ Containers Typically Permitted for Natural Burial
Most green cemeteries in Maryland and the DMV area allow:
- Unfinished pine caskets (no metal handles or hardware)
- Wicker or willow caskets
- Seagrass or bamboo caskets
- Cardboard eco-coffins
- Cloth burial shrouds (linen, cotton, wool)
These materials break down naturally and do not introduce toxins into the soil.
Some cemeteries also allow:
- Wooden dowel construction instead of nails
- Natural rope handles
- Plant-based interior linings (no synthetic padding)
❌ Containers Not Permitted
True natural burial grounds generally prohibit:
- Metal caskets
- Hardwood caskets with varnish or sealant
- Fiberglass or composite caskets
- Sealed “protective” caskets
- Concrete burial vaults or grave liners (in dedicated green cemeteries)
Hybrid cemeteries (those with a designated green section inside a traditional cemetery) may still require certain liner systems — so it is always important to confirm cemetery-specific rules.
What About Burial Vaults?
In a true green cemetery, vaults are not allowed.
The absence of a vault:
- Reduces concrete use
- Allows natural soil contact
- Supports full decomposition
However, some traditional cemeteries in Maryland or Northern Virginia require vaults to prevent ground settling. If choosing a hybrid cemetery, confirm whether a vault-free burial is permitted.
Can You Use a Burial Shroud?
Yes — and many families choose this option for its simplicity.
A burial shroud:
- Is made of biodegradable fabric
- Wraps the body instead of enclosing it in a casket
- Is often secured with natural ties
Some cemeteries require a rigid board beneath the casket for lowering and transport, even when using a shroud.
Does the Funeral Provider Supply the Burial Container?
Most natural burial providers can:
- Provide approved biodegradable caskets
- Help source certified green burial containers
- Confirm cemetery compliance
- Ensure no prohibited materials are used
For families in the DMV area, our Featured Green Burial Provider can coordinate approved biodegradable container options and ensure the burial meets both cemetery and state requirements.
How Much Does a Natural Burial Container Cost?
Approximate price ranges:
- Cardboard eco-coffin: $300 – $800
- Pine casket: $800 – $2,000
- Wicker or willow casket: $1,200 – $3,000
- Burial shroud: $200 – $800
Costs vary based on craftsmanship and supplier.
Why the Burial Container Matters
Natural burial is built around three core principles:
- Simplicity
- Environmental responsibility
- Returning naturally to the earth
The burial container plays a major role in meeting those goals.
Before purchasing anything, always:
- Confirm cemetery requirements
- Verify no synthetic components are included
- Ensure the funeral provider approves the container
With proper planning, choosing a permitted natural burial container in Maryland or the DMV area is straightforward — and often more affordable than conventional casket options.
Are There Environmental Benefits in Opting for a Green Burial?
Yes, absolutely. More families are considering the environmental impact of their ‘final journey’ and are concerned about climate issues, emissions, and how to have a sustainable death care plan. Natural burial:
- Eliminates embalming chemicals
- Avoids concrete vaults
- Reduces metal and hardwood consumption
- Uses less energy than cremation
- Supports land conservation (in conservation cemeteries)
For families concerned about environmental impact, this is often the primary motivation.
Is Natural Burial Cheaper Than Cremation?
Not always; it depends on who is selected to perform the cremation. You can use our Guide to Cremation Costs in Maryland to find typical, affordable direct cremation. A direct cremation will range from $1,395 to $ 5,300.
However, cremation still involves:
- Fossil fuel use
- Carbon emissions
- Industrial equipment
Natural burial may cost more than basic cremation but less than a traditional funeral with viewing and vault burial (which can exceed $10,000–$15,000).
The Featured Green Funeral Service Provider for Maryland and the DMV offers a natural burial service package for $3,695. This does not include the cemetery plot.
You can use our Green Burial Cemetery Directory to locate natural burial sites in MD, Northern VA, and D.C.
How Do You Arrange a Natural Burial in the DMV?
Here’s a simple step-by-step outline:
- Confirm death and obtain medical certification.
- Contact a provider experienced in natural burial.
- Choose a green-approved cemetery.
- Select a biodegradable container.
- Schedule the burial within a few days.
- Hold graveside service (optional).
Working with a provider who understands both Maryland and Northern Virginia regulations significantly simplifies the process.
Why DMV Families Choose Natural Burial Today
Families in the DMV often cross state lines to coordinate services.
Working with Carewell in Fairfax enables US Funerals Online to direct DMV families to simple, transparent, and affordable sustainable funeral options instead of expensive traditional burial. Whether this is opting for a direct cremation at $1,395 or a simple natural burial starting at $3,695.
We can help families with:
- Arranging simple, dignified services
- Avoiding unnecessary upselling
- Understanding natural burial requirements
- Transparent pricing starting at $3,695
- Serve families throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Their approach aligns with families seeking simplicity, environmental responsibility, and affordability.
Natural burial in Maryland and the DMV area is:
- Legal
- Increasingly available
- Environmentally conscious
- Often more affordable than a traditional burial
- Deeply meaningful for many families
The key is to plan ahead and choose a provider that understands green burial regulations and cemetery requirements.
If you are exploring a natural burial for yourself or a loved one, speak with a knowledgeable local provider early — confirm cemetery policies, clarify total costs, and ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
Simplicity, transparency, and sustainability are at the heart of natural burial — and with the right guidance, arranging one in Maryland is entirely achievable.
Locating a Suitable Natural Burial Cemetery in Maryland & the DMV Area
Below, we compiled details of known natural or green-friendly burial cemeteries in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. These include true green burial grounds, hybrid cemeteries that allow green burial, and designated natural burial sections.
| Green Cemetery / Natural Burial Ground | Location | Notes & Contact |
| Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery | 2406 Ridge Rd, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 | Dedicated green burial cemetery; no vaults, biodegradable requirements; certified natural burial ground. |
| Reflection Park | 16621 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905 | Non-profit, multi-faith natural burial ground / conservation cemetery. |
| Morris Orchard Natural Burial | 9489 Pear Ln, Frederick, MD 21702 | Natural burial orchard site; biodegradable burials; peaceful meadow/woodland setting. |
| Bestgate Memorial Park (Green Burial Section) | 814 Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401 | Hybrid cemetery with dedicated green burial section (hand-dug graves and river rock markers). |
| Columbia Gardens Cemetery | 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 | Traditional cemetery with some green-friendly burial options. |
| Cool Spring Natural Cemetery | Cool Spring Ln, Berryville, VA 22611 | Natural burial option; rural cemetery environment. |
| Panorama Natural Burial | 3550 Reas Ford Ln, Earlysville, VA 22936 | Green burial on historic farmland; biodegradable materials. |
| Circle of Life at Congressional Cemetery | 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC 20003 | Historic cemetery with natural ‘Circle of Life’ eco burial offering. |
(Additional hybrid sites may exist; those above are widely referenced locally.)
Notes & Tips For Choosing the Best Green Cemetery for Your Needs
- Hybrid cemeteries (like Garden of Remembrance and Columbia Gardens) are traditional burial grounds that allow green-friendly burial options without fully being conservation cemeteries.
- Some cemeteries require specific biodegradable containers or limit grave marker styles — always check before planning.
- Availability and policies can change, so it’s wise to contact each cemetery directly for the most current details.
Optional: Green Burial Council Certified Sites
The national Green Burial Council (GBC) maintains a cemetery provider map where you can locate certified and conservation burial grounds (including some not listed above). Not all small natural burial cemeteries apply for certification.
If you are interested in working with an end-of-life doula in preparing and planning for a natural burial, you can use our EOLD directory to locate death doula services in Maryland.
