A Greener Goodbye: CA's Eco-Friendly Funeral Trend

CALIFORNIA, CA — Earth Day 2025 is upon us, and while the day serves as an annual reminder to consider the environmental impacts humans have on the planet in life, another question being asked is: how one might give back to Mother Earth in death?

While the embalming and traditional burial process we know today gained traction as far back as the Civil War, the method has been criticized by environmental advocates for its use of soil-leeching chemicals and non-biodegradable materials.

Brad Walker, spokesperson for the National Funeral Director's Association, told Patch that greener burial and funeral alternatives are growing in popularity across the United States, lending options to Americans beyond the traditional pinewood box.

What is a "green funeral?"

A green funeral, according to Walker, may include any or all of the following:

• no embalming;
• embalming with formaldehyde-free products;
• the use of biodegradable clothing, shroud or burial container;
• or using recycled paper products.

"I think it is really beautiful to be able to have a family look at ways that they can give back. And sometimes that may not be the greenest option, but it could be a shade of green, right? Something like: 'Hey, we’re going to plant a tree in memory of our loved one,' or 'we’re going to scatter cremated remains at a place that would help us to remember the beauty that they’ve given in their life,'" Walker said.

So what are the methods of holding a green funeral? Walker broke it down into five different categories.

1. Cremation.

According to the National Funeral Director's 2024 Cremation and Burial Report, 61.9 percent of Americans chose cremation in 2023, with that number expecting to rise to 82.1 percent by 2045.

Cremation, while by far the most popular and most cost-effective "green" option, still has its consequences. According to EarthFuneral, a single cremation will release roughly 535 pounds of CO2 into the environment, the equivalent of a 609-mile car ride in an average-sized car.

However, Walker said that cremation still has some green components—while traditional burial practices have none.

2. Natural Organic Reduction (Human Composting).

Natural organic reduction—alternatively known as human composting or recomposition, is a process that transforms a human body into soil. The burial process was legalized in California in 2022, though it has yet to be widely implemented while specific procedures and policies are under development, according to Stateline.

Cost for natural organic reduction ranges from $2,000 to $7,000 in California, making it one of the costlier methods of burial—however, the benefits are numerous. The process does not use fossil fuels or land consumption and produces nutrient-rich soil that can be used for numerous things.

However, Walker advised anyone interested in this method of burial to be aware: human composted soil should not be used in gardens where edible fruits, vegetables or other plants are grown.

3. Alkaline Hydrolysis.

Alkaline hydrolysis—or water cremation—is a process that breaks down the human body using lye and heat. The body is placed in a specialized chamber filled with water and an alkaline solution, and heat and pressure accelerate the breakdown of tissues, leaving behind a sterile liquid.

The remaining bones are processed into a fine powder, Walker said, similar to cremated ashes.

Cost for alkaline hydrolysis typically runs from anywhere between $2,000 to $5,000 while consuming less energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gasses than flame-based cremation, Walker said.

4. "Green burials."

A "green burial" is a burial in which the body is buried without embalming or a vault in a natural setting. Additionally,, any shrouds or caskets used are biodegradable, nontoxic and of sustainable material.

With this type of burial, Walker said, memorial markers are limited in type, size and visibility. Flat rocks, plants and trees are commonly used as grave markers.

"I would invite families to utilize a local funeral home or funeral director—they often have a lot more information, and can be a great community resource and value to what they’re looking at," Walker said.

5. "All the Shades of Green in Between."

According to Walker, there are several "shades" of green possible when planning an eco-friendly funeral—all of which can be explored with the help of a funeral home director and a little extra effort.

"If they have a little food or luncheon that’s after the funeral, they can cater locally-sourced food, have organic food, buy local flowers or do something as simple as carpooling to a service," Walker said. "There are definitely these availabilities for people who want to offset their carbon footprint."

Residents interested in exploring options for a greener burial this Earth Day were urged by Walker to take up their questions with a local funeral home.

"A lot of times families feel that they have and know the resources at hand—but a local funeral home or funeral director often has a lot more," Walker said. "They can talk to these families and say, 'Oh, I see what your hopes and wishes and desires are, and let’s show you some of the options and alternatives that maybe you weren’t aware of.'"

"Families don’t have to go at it alone, they need to know that they have a trusted community resource that could be able to help them, even preparing ahead of time so that they’ll know how to execute and carry out their wishes and desires when that time does come."