Here at Prairie Creek, we offer conservation burial as a form of natural body disposition for our community. Our cemetery is certified at the highest level possible by the Green Burial Council, a national nonprofit that sets guidelines for green burial grounds, funeral homes, material producers, and others within the industry. The Green Burial Council certifies cemeteries that fall under three main categories: natural or green burial grounds, hybrid cemeteries, and conservation burial grounds.
The practical basis for all forms of green burial are the same: no burial of embalmed bodies, no vaults or grave liners used, all burial materials and containers must be biodegradable. These simple tenets serve as the foundation of a movement towards natural body disposition options.
Hybrid Cemeteries
Hybrid cemeteries offer green/natural burial as a facet of conventional cemetery operations. Often, these cemeteries will have a dedicated section within their grounds for the completion of green burial. The foundation of the practices within this facet of the cemetery operations is the same as any other green burial ground. That being said, these spaces are often manicured, visually and aesthetically mimicking conventional cemeteries. This form of land management can result in direct damage to natural ecosystems and ecological habitats. As natural burial options become more popular, many conventional cemeteries are beginning to offer such burial options in order to broaden the services they provide.
Natural Burial Grounds
Natural burial grounds operate at the heart of green burial. As with hybrid cemeteries, the foundational tenets are diligently adhered to. Additionally, these burial grounds complete a Ecological Impact Assessment. This assessment restricts areas of the cemetery from burial that are considered ecologically sensitive. This helps to guarantee that the burial practices used do not degrade soil health, plant diversity, water quality, or ecological habitat. There are additional aesthetic differentiations from conventional cemeteries that limit the markers utilized as to not infringe upon the natural landscape of the space. Notable burial density restrictions also help to maintain the health, function, and aesthetics of the natural landscape. Many natural burial grounds dedicate themselves to environmental conservation and advocacy in various other forms and degrees.
Conservation Burial
Building upon the same practices as natural burial grounds, conservation burial is the most rigorous form of natural body disposition. Operating at the highest level of certification offered, conservation cemeteries go beyond the foundation of green burial, expanding the dedication to the community and the environment. Certified conservation burial grounds operate on lands held under conservation easements, which hold the cemetery land as forever-protected greenspaces. They also work closely with accredited land-trust organizations or governmental municipalities to complete land restoration, conservation, and stewardship. As conservation burial has grown in popularity, many such burial grounds - including PCCC - have collectively formed the Conservation Burial Alliance which serves to help educate various communities about this burial option.
THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE COMPARISON OF PRACTICES AND IS INTENDED ONLY TO PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW VARIOUS CERTIFICATION LEVELS FUNCTION.
As green/natural and conservation burial become more popular throughout the United States, it is important that those interested in such options be aware of the nuance within the industry. Please consider these educational resources:
