Natural & Green Burial Guide — Florida
Green Burial in Florida: What It Is, What It Costs, and Who It’s For
A natural return to the earth — no embalming, no concrete vault, no synthetic materials. Green burial is growing in Florida and it may be exactly right for some families.
View Our Services & Pricing →For families who feel strongly about environmental values, simplicity, and a natural return to the earth, green burial offers something that neither traditional burial nor cremation does in quite the same way — a disposition that leaves the smallest possible footprint and returns the body to the natural cycle without interference.
Green burial is legal in Florida and growing in availability. This guide explains everything families in our area need to know — what it is, how it works, where it can happen, what it costs, and how we assist. For a complete overview of all disposition options in Florida, see our Complete Florida Cremation Guide.
1. What Green Burial Is
Green burial — also called natural burial — is a method of final disposition in which the body is returned to the earth in a way that allows natural decomposition to occur without impediment. The defining characteristics are:
- No embalming. The body is not preserved with chemical embalming fluids. Refrigeration is used instead to preserve the body until burial.
- No concrete burial vault or grave liner. Traditional burial typically requires a concrete outer burial container to prevent the ground above the grave from sinking. Green burial does not use one — the natural settling of the earth is part of the process.
- Biodegradable container only. The body is buried in a shroud, a biodegradable casket, or a simple biodegradable alternative container — nothing that will persist in the earth or impede decomposition.
- No synthetic materials placed with the body. Clothing, wrappings, and any accompanying items should be natural and biodegradable.
The result is a burial that allows the body to return to the soil naturally, nourishing the surrounding environment rather than being sealed from it.
2. How It Differs From Traditional Burial
| Factor | Traditional Burial | Green / Natural Burial |
|---|---|---|
| Embalming | Common, often expected for viewing | Not used — refrigeration only |
| Container | Hardwood or metal casket | Shroud, biodegradable casket, or simple container |
| Outer burial container | Concrete vault or grave liner (usually required by cemetery) | None |
| Grave marker | Granite or concrete headstone | Natural stone, native plantings, or GPS coordinates |
| Cemetery type | Conventional cemetery | Dedicated green burial cemetery or approved natural burial section |
| Decomposition | Slowed by embalming and sealed container | Natural, unimpeded |
| Environmental footprint | Higher — embalming chemicals, manufactured casket, concrete vault | Minimal — biodegradable materials only |
3. How Green Burial Works in Practice
The legal and practical steps for green burial in Florida are similar to those for traditional burial, with the differences centered on what is and is not used in the preparation and burial itself.
- Death certificate and disposition permit are required just as with any burial. Our staff handles all required documentation.
- No embalming. The body is refrigerated at our Palmetto facility from the time of removal until burial. Florida law requires un-embalmed remains to be refrigerated within 24 hours of death — this is standard practice for us regardless of disposition type.
- A biodegradable container is selected. This may be a simple shroud, a biodegradable casket, or another natural container. The specific requirements are set by the receiving cemetery, not by us — different green burial cemeteries have different standards.
- Burial takes place at a cemetery that permits green burial. Not all Florida cemeteries permit natural burial. See Section 5 for options in our area.
- Cemetery fees apply separately. The cemetery sets and collects its own fees for the burial plot, opening and closing, and any other services. These are not part of our funeral home fees and vary by cemetery.
4. Shrouds, Biodegradable Caskets, and Containers
The container used for green burial is one of the most personal choices in the process. Options range from the most minimal to those that closely resemble a traditional casket in appearance.
Burial Shroud
A shroud is a simple, dignified wrapping — typically made of linen, cotton, wool, or another natural fiber — in which the body is wrapped for burial. It is the most ancient and minimal form of burial container, used across many cultures and traditions throughout history. A shroud leaves the smallest possible footprint and is accepted at most dedicated green burial cemeteries.
Shrouds vary in design from very simple wrappings to more elaborate woven pieces. Some families choose a shroud that reflects the deceased’s cultural background, spiritual tradition, or personal aesthetic.
Biodegradable Casket
Biodegradable caskets are made from natural materials — wicker, bamboo, seagrass, untreated pine, or recycled paper — that break down naturally in the earth without leaving synthetic residue. They provide a more familiar visual presentation than a shroud and are well suited to families who want the environmental benefits of green burial while maintaining a casket-style container.
The specific materials and styles available depend on what we are able to source at the time of arrangement. We work with suppliers to find the right option for each family’s needs and the requirements of their chosen cemetery.
Simple Biodegradable Alternative Container
For families seeking the most straightforward and affordable option, a simple biodegradable alternative container — made of unfinished wood or pressed cardboard — may be appropriate depending on the cemetery’s requirements. The managing cemetery always has the final word on what containers are acceptable for burial in their grounds.
5. Where Green Burial Happens in Florida
Finding a cemetery that permits and specializes in natural burial is the most important logistical step for families pursuing this option. Not all conventional cemeteries permit green burial — many require a concrete outer burial container, which disqualifies the site for true natural burial. Dedicated green burial cemeteries have been designed specifically for natural disposition and typically also function as nature preserves.
Heartwood Preserve
Heartwood Preserve is the dedicated natural burial cemetery we are aware of closest to our service area. Located in Trinity in Pasco County, it operates as both a green burial cemetery and a nature preserve — graves become part of a protected natural landscape rather than a manicured cemetery setting. Families are buried among native Florida vegetation, and the land is permanently preserved.
Heartwood Preserve offers natural burial services directly and also works with funeral homes. Families interested in burial there should contact them directly to understand their current availability, pricing, and container requirements, and then contact us to coordinate the funeral home side of the arrangement.
Other possible options in our area
Beyond dedicated green burial cemeteries, some private cemeteries, churchyards, and family properties may permit natural burial under certain conditions. Policies vary widely and are set entirely by the managing entity — a church vestry, a private cemetery board, a county authority, or a property owner. We recommend contacting your preferred burial location directly to ask whether they permit burial without a concrete vault and what container requirements apply. We are happy to assist with that conversation.
6. What Green Burial Costs
Green burial costs involve two distinct categories: our funeral home fees and the cemetery’s fees. These are separate and billed separately.
Funeral home fees
Our fees cover: removal of the deceased from the place of death, refrigeration and care at our Palmetto facility, all required documentation and filing, the biodegradable container, and transportation to the burial site. For current pricing on our direct and immediate burial services, see our General Price List. Green burial pricing will vary depending on the container selected and any specific coordination required for the chosen cemetery — contact us for a specific quote.
Cemetery fees
Cemetery fees are set entirely by the cemetery and are not something we control or include in our pricing. Heartwood Preserve publishes its own pricing on their website at heartwoodpreserve.com. Other cemeteries will quote their own fees directly.
How green burial compares to traditional burial on cost
Green burial is often less expensive than traditional burial because it eliminates several significant cost items: embalming ($975 at our standard rate), a hardwood or metal casket (typically $1,000–$5,000+), and a concrete outer burial container (typically $1,000–$2,500+ at the cemetery). The cost of a biodegradable container is typically lower than a conventional casket. Cemetery plot and opening/closing fees at a dedicated green burial preserve may be comparable to or higher than conventional cemetery fees depending on the location.
7. Body Donation: A Related Natural Option
Some families who are drawn to green burial for its values — simplicity, minimal footprint, the sense that something meaningful is given back — also consider whole-body donation to a Florida medical or research institution. While not identical to green burial, body donation shares several of the same qualities: a sense that the person’s remains are serving a meaningful purpose beyond themselves, and in many cases an avoidance of expensive caskets and conventional burial. In many cases, the receiving institution returns cremated remains to the family at no cost after the donation period, which may range from weeks to several years depending on the institution’s needs.
However, it is important to understand that body donation programs are not all structured the same way — and the costs to your family can vary significantly depending on which program you choose.
Florida Anatomical Board (University of Florida)
Donation to the Florida Anatomical Board, administered through the University of Florida, is one of the most well-known body donation programs in the state. This program does require embalming, and the remains must be transported to Gainesville. Because embalming is required and the transport distance is considerably greater than a local delivery, our fees for this type of donation are higher than for other options. Families should factor this into their planning and ask us for a specific quote when considering this program.
Other research and medical donation programs
A number of other medical research organizations and body donation programs operate in Florida that do not require embalming. These programs typically accept donations for specific research purposes and may have eligibility requirements based on age, cause of death, or medical history. Our fees for coordinating with these programs are generally lower than for the anatomical board, since embalming and long-distance transport are not involved.
AM Cremation & Funeral Care assists families with body donation coordination as part of our services. Because costs and logistics vary meaningfully depending on which program is chosen, we strongly recommend calling us to discuss your specific situation before committing to a particular program — we can help you understand the full picture of what each option involves and what your family can expect to pay.
8. Who Green Burial Is Right For
Green burial is not for everyone — and it does not need to be. It tends to be a strong fit for families where one or more of the following apply:
- Environmental values are important. For families where the ecological footprint of final disposition matters, green burial is the most environmentally minimal burial option available.
- The deceased had strong preferences for simplicity. For people who lived simply and wanted nothing elaborate after death, a shroud burial in a natural preserve is entirely consistent with that philosophy.
- Religious or cultural tradition calls for it. Many faith traditions — including certain Jewish, Islamic, and Christian practices — have historically preferred or required burial without embalming and in simple, biodegradable containers. Green burial cemeteries are well suited to these traditions.
- The family wants a living memorial. A grave in a nature preserve that becomes part of a protected natural landscape is a very different kind of memorial than a conventional headstone — one that continues to grow and change over time.
- Cost is a consideration. For families who prefer burial over cremation but are concerned about the cost of traditional burial, green burial can be a genuinely less expensive alternative when the elimination of embalming, conventional casket, and outer burial container is factored in.
9. How AM Cremation & Funeral Care Can Help
We offer green burial as a service and can assist families in our area who are pursuing this option. Here is what we handle on your behalf:
- Removal of your loved one from the place of death and transport to our Palmetto facility
- Refrigeration and dignified care at our facility until burial
- All required documentation: death certificate filing, disposition permit, and any other required permits
- Sourcing a shroud, biodegradable casket, or other natural container per the family’s preferences and the cemetery’s requirements
- Transportation of the deceased to the burial site
- Coordination with the cemetery on logistics and timing
What we do not handle: cemetery plot purchase, opening and closing fees, or any other cemetery-side costs. Those are arranged directly between the family and the cemetery.
