As sustainability becomes a guiding principle in how we live, more Americans are asking: can we also choose greener ways to say goodbye? Traditional funerals—whether casketed burials or cremations—have long been the norm, but their environmental costs are considerable. Now, alternative funeral options that honor both the departed and the planet are gaining traction across the U.S.
The Environmental Toll of Traditional Funerals
Each year, conventional burials introduce roughly 800,000 gallons of toxic embalming chemicals into the soil, while millions of hardwood caskets consume precious forests. Cremations, too, come with a heavy carbon price—emitting around 360,000 metric tons of CO2 plus harmful substances like mercury into the atmosphere.
These stark realities have fueled growing curiosity and interest in alternatives that minimize environmental impact while honoring cultural and personal values.
Mapping America’s Green Funeral Trends
Recent data from Google Trends reveals which funeral options Americans are searching for most. Vermont, Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and the District of Columbia top the list of states interested in alternative funeral methods—unsurprisingly, places known for environmental awareness and green living.
Among alternative choices, three standout methods are shaping the future of death care: green burials, alkaline hydrolysis (also called aquamation), and human composting.
Green Burial: Returning to Nature’s Embrace
Green or natural burial leads the way, being the most popular alternative in 40 states. Especially favored in the Northeast, this approach avoids embalming chemicals and uses biodegradable containers like simple wooden caskets or shrouds. The body returns naturally to the earth, nourishing soil and plants as it decomposes.
The environmental benefits are profound: green burials release about ten times less CO2 than traditional vault burials and sidestep the need for chemical embalming and heavy, resource-intensive caskets. Financially, green burials also ease the burden, typically costing around $2,000 compared to $7,000–$8,000 for conventional burials.
Plus, maintenance is minimal, with no expensive vaults or perpetual care fees—a fitting final act that reconnects us to the earth.
Alkaline Hydrolysis (Aquamation): Water’s Gentle Transformation
Aquamation is gaining popularity primarily in Alabama, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, where it ranks as the top alternative. This process uses heated alkaline water under pressure to gently dissolve the body’s organic material, leaving behind ashes that families can keep or scatter.
This method is far more eco-friendly than cremation, consuming 90% less energy and producing just a fraction of the carbon emissions—without releasing mercury or other harmful gases. However, it uses a significant amount of water and comes at a higher price point, averaging $3,000.
Human Composting: Nature’s Ultimate Recycling
Human composting, also called natural organic reduction, captures imagination especially in Washington, Wyoming, and Oregon. It transforms human remains into rich soil through controlled decomposition within organic materials like wood chips.
Unlike green burial, it requires no land plot and less water than aquamation. It boasts a minimal carbon footprint, arguably making it the greenest option available. Yet, its novelty and higher costs—up to $7,000—have kept it from becoming the dominant choice in any state, though interest is growing steadily.
Niche Alternatives: Innovation and Experimentation
Other green funeral concepts remain niche but offer intriguing possibilities. Mushroom suits—garments embedded with mushroom spores—aim to naturally break down the body while neutralizing toxins. Memorial reefs incorporate cremated remains into concrete structures that foster marine life, with Florida hosting one of the largest such reefs.
Tree burials, still largely experimental, place remains or ashes in biodegradable pods beneath trees to nourish their growth, symbolizing a return to the cycle of life.
These options reflect the increasing desire for personalized, eco-conscious farewells, even if they remain limited by cost, regulation, and availability.
Why This Matters: A Shift in Cultural Values
The willingness of many Americans to embrace greener funeral choices mirrors broader trends toward sustainability in daily life. Though the subject is often difficult to discuss, facing death with intention can align our final acts with values of care, stewardship, and respect for future generations.
Cost and convenience remain significant factors influencing decisions, but as awareness spreads and regulations adapt, greener funerals are becoming a viable and meaningful option for many.
Resources for Those Considering Green Farewells
If you or a loved one are exploring alternatives to traditional funerals, organizations like the Green Burial Council provide guidance and certification. State resources and providers specializing in aquamation and human composting are also increasingly accessible.
As the conversation around death evolves, so too does our capacity to honor life with choices that nurture the earth—truly a final gift that keeps on giving.
About the Author:
Ariane Jugieux, M.Sc., is a health and wellness journalist dedicated to covering topics at the intersection of environment and human well-being. She contributes regularly to Healthnews and other publications.