A vault is essentially a large box made out of concrete. Originally developed to deter grave robbers in the late 18th century, vaults are sold today as being necessary to keep the ground from sinking and markers from moving. For many years, this kind of settling was dealt with by mounding extra dirt atop a grave and renovating the soil. There are no state or federal laws that require the use of a vault, though a cemetery can insist that one be used. Many cemeteries now make vaults a requisite for burial. Vaults cause Americans to bury each year 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete. And vaults that drain out the bottom can cause toxins and heavy metals from to go into the ground, and sometimes ground water, at much higher levels than if they were not used.

Not by federal law. Some funeral practitioners say embalming is vital for preventing the spread of disease. But the Green Burial Council — which has set standards for the practice — argues that "there is no evidence suggesting that embalming provides any public health benefits." In green burials, bodies are preserved using dry ice or a cooler for up to three to four days.

Though the EPA regards formaldehyde as a "probable" carcinogen, other international agencies, including the World Health Organization, consider it a far more dangerous chemical.  Embalming fluid containing formaldehyde has the potential to seep into ground water.  It also creates unnecessary health risks for workers who are exposed to the substance.  Many funeral practitioners (including some who own allegedly "green" cemeteries) act as if the practice still serves a vital purpose. Some mislead consumers into believe that embalming is necessary in certain instances when it is not, such as a funeral with a viewing.  Others defend it as being necessary to "prevent the spread of air borne pathogens." But there's not one shred of evidence that suggests embalming provides any public health benefits.

The Green Burial Council is working to facilitate green burial within existing, traditional cemeteries.  If you do not live near a green cemetery, the best thing to do is contact your local cemeteries directly until you find one who will allow burials without a casket, vault, or liner.

Clearly we see problems at older "traditional" cemeteries.  Many have few or no trees; in others, the grounds have been destroyed through the use of herbicides.  Drainage problems can occur and herbicide use leads to water pollution.

Cemeteries can play an important social and environmental role. More than 2.2 million acres were lost to development according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation report issued for 1997 through 2001. 

A green burial takes place in a natural environment where native flora and wildlife flourish. A green cemetery provides habitat for endemic birds and animals, returning lands to their native grasses, flowers and shrubs.  A green burial reduces environmental impact and conservation easements preserve our open spaces.

Also called “green burials,” natural burials reject chemical preservatives, traditional metal coffins or hard-wood caskets (which are typically made from wood harvested in rainforests), and other features of costly modern burials. Going green is a low-cost, highly personal alternative to a conventional burial. Un-embalmed remains are kept cool for viewing, then put directly into the ground, either shrouded in cloth or buried in natural caskets made of biodegradable materials, such as cardboard, wicker and pine. Burial vaults – underground, concrete reinforcement used to ensure that graves do not collapse – are not used.

The principle is to follow the natural cycle of life by returning the body to the earth and embracing the Biblical philosophy of "ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

Advocates also cite their reduced environmental impact over conventional burials, as well as land-preservation benefits and affordability. Traditional burials, they argue, are a waste of resources: Each year, cemeteries bury millions of feet of wood, thousands of tons of steel, copper and concrete, and hundreds of thousands of gallons of embalming fluid — which contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Cremation uses far fewer resources than burial. But the process involves burning fossil fuels. It takes a lot of energy to cremate a body — roughly the equivalent of driving 4,800 miles — and it can produce emissions including dioxin, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfur dioxide and mercury (from dental fillings).

Natural burials can take place at a conventional cemetery. Natural burials are held at a growing number of green cemeteries that aim to preserve the natural landscape.  So far, only about 10 green cemeteries have sprouted up in a few states — including California, Florida, Michigan, New York, South Carolina and Texas, but more than 40 more are in various stages of development.  In this sense, natural burials are a very real part of the conservation movement. Some green cemeteries use flat native fieldstones to mark graves, as well as shrubs and trees. Green cemeteries are also going geek — using GPS coordinates to locate graves.

Many traditional cemeteries are also devoting up to 20 percent of their land to burials where remains are not embalmed and vaults are not used.

Some green cemeteries use flat native fieldstones to mark graves, as well as shrubs and trees. Green cemeteries are also going geek — using GPS coordinates to locate graves.

Green burials traditionally cost in the neighborhood of $2,500 — about the same as cremation when the ashes are interred. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a traditional funeral is $6,500 — excluding cemetery costs such as a lot, vault and plot marker. Many funerals run well over $10,000.