Green Burial

At The Groffs Family Funeral Home, we are deeply committed to honoring life while respecting the environment. Our partnership with the Green Burial Council reflects our dedication to offering meaningful, sustainable options for families who value environmentally conscious practices.

What Is a Green Funeral?

What Is a Green Funeral?

A green funeral incorporates environmentally friendly options to meet the needs of families requesting sustainable services.

It may include any or all of the following:

  • Forgoing embalming entirely, or using organic, formaldehyde-free embalming products.
  • Choosing sustainable, biodegradable clothing, shrouds, or caskets.

The Groffs Family Funeral Home is among a select number of funeral homes that meet the Green Burial Council’s criteria for providing green funeral services. We are proud to be a 3-Leaf Certified Provider, meeting the Council’s highest standards.

The Green Burial Council is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging environmental sustainability in funeral service. Green burial offerings allow a funeral to take place without the use of toxic or non-biodegradable materials or chemicals. Natural, sustainable, and locally sourced products—as well as GBC-approved caskets and shrouds—are available for enclosing and transporting the body.

Appropriate preparation of the body for a green funeral service may include refrigeration, the use of topical sprays or compounds, or arterial embalming with GBC-approved fluids made from a complex blend of essential plant-based oils. Home wakes, public visitations at the funeral home, church funerals, and graveside services are all options that may be arranged.

For additional information, please visit the Green Burial Council at: www.greenburialcouncil.org.

What Is a Natural or Green Burial?

In a “purist” natural or green burial, the body is buried without embalming in a natural setting.

Any shroud or casket used must be biodegradable, non-toxic, and made from sustainable materials. With this type of burial, traditional standing headstones are usually not permitted. Instead, flat rocks, plants, or trees may serve as grave markers, and some cemeteries use GPS coordinates to mark grave locations.

Natural or green burials may represent a significant departure from funeral traditions that many families have followed for generations. Some of the requirements for green burial locations may feel restrictive, and the limited time frames involved can be challenging for family members traveling long distances. Special circumstances—such as a coroner’s involvement or an autopsy—may also necessitate adjustments to green burial plans.

What Is a Green Burial Site?

Cemeteries offering green or natural burial sites strive to minimize the use of:

  • Fossil fuels
  • Toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides or formaldehyde-based embalming fluids)
  • Practices that disrupt the natural flora, fauna, and appearance of the burial site

Are There Religious Considerations for a Green Burial?

Green burial is compatible with a wide range of faith traditions and personal beliefs. Families who wish to incorporate specific religious or cultural customs into their services are encouraged to share those needs with us. We will work closely with you to honor those traditions while maintaining environmentally responsible practices.

Environmentally Friendly Merchandise for Green Burials

Environmentally Friendly Merchandise for Green Burials

We offer a variety of eco-conscious merchandise approved by the Green Burial Council, including:

  • Willow, seagrass, and bamboo caskets (GBC-approved)
  • Caskets made from renewable wood featuring:
    • Plant-based glues
    • Water-based, non-toxic finishes
    • Natural nut oil or beeswax finishes
    • Unbleached cotton, wool, bamboo, or hemp interiors
  • Bamboo burial shrouds (GBC-approved)