FAQ

Why should I choose green burial?

Green burial fosters a family and nature-centered approach to end-of-life care. Simplicity, affordability, and environmental sustainability are key features of a green burial service. A conservation burial goes a step further in allowing one’s body to return peacefully to the earth while surrounded by nature. When you choose conservation burial, you are choosing a living, natural, and lasting memorial.

Is green burial legal in Texas?

Yes. Natural burial is a time-honored tradition across our planet and within our state. Most conventional cemeteries require vaults, headstones, and caskets. Funeral homes often require embalming. State and county laws do not require these materials or processes. Green cemeteries simply provide the option of having a natural, simple burial.

The cemetery our family has used in the past now offers a "natural burial" option. How is Nature's Burial different?

Natural burial protects the sanctity of the body and burial site. Nature’s Burial and conservation burials go a step further in permanently conserving large tracts of natural land.

As a certified Green Burial Council conservation cemetery, we will adhere to a number of practices that prioritize lasting protection and restoration of the supporting ecosystem. Most importantly, conservation burial requires that an independent conservation organization, typically a land trust, serve as steward of the land and holder of the permanent protection instrument.

Conservation Burial requires an active connection to and respect for the land. By protecting imperiled ecosystems and restoring the habitat for native wildlife, every burial helps heal the land. Conservation Burial Grounds are not just cemeteries, but also sanctuaries of life, where native species can thrive, visitors can find respite in nature, students can be inspired, and so much more.

What about cremation?

More than half of the dead in the United States are cremated today, according to a report from the National Funeral Directors Association, up from an industry-estimated rate of just 4% in the 1960s. The trend toward cremation happened beginning in the 1960s when 1) people began wanting simpler, more affordable funeral services and 2) Americans wanted to protect open lands from development. Green burials achieve both of these goals to an even greater extent.

Natural burials are affordable, simple, respectful to the body, and family-directed. Green burial grounds also preserve open lands and avoid the use of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases and toxins which are unavoidable in traditional cremation. Water cremation and composting are also green options, but these options are not yet legal for humans in Texas.

We do respect those who wish to be cremated, and we permit interment of cremated remains within our cemetery’s burial plots.

What are the carbon footprint benefits of natural burial?

On average, a conventional burial produces 250 pounds of carbon. A natural burial, on the other hand, actually sequesters 25 pounds of carbon.

Will burying without caskets, concrete vaults, and embalming affect our water quality?

No. Natural lands produce much cleaner water than urban, suburban, or agricultural areas (including conventional cemeteries that rely on chemical use). The conservation cemetery and surrounding CPC preserves provide cleaner water for the surrounding watersheds. Burial depths are regulated by the state and are located high above the water table allowing the native soils and grasses to act as a giant filter. Sites are selected to protect local water sources, located at least 200 feet from any stream or wetland and far outside municipal areas. The density of burials is also only 10-30% of conventional cemeteries. As we restore the lands within our preserve back to natural prairie, we will continue to see improving water quality and soil health. (Our conservation cemetery grounds will prevent an estimated 72,000 pounds of nitrogen and 4,320 pounds of phosphorus from entering our waterways.)

After burial, the body’s natural microbiota go to work, and decomposition proceeds rapidly with the help of the surrounding soil ecosystem. Bacteria and viruses typically die within the body in a matter of hours after the temperature begins to fall. A few take days. All will be inert within a year. No known transmission of germs from a green burial ground have been recorded within the US.

Will natural burials attract animals that could dig up the bodies?

No. Natural burial is an ancient, proven method of burial. In fact, all burials were natural until around 150 years ago. Early cemeteries located in wild areas that contained many scavenger species were not disturbed. Farmers and ranchers conduct livestock burials regularly without incident. Our cemetery also follows state regulations on the proper depth of burial to prevent disturbance of the grave site. The Green Burial Council reports no evidence among any of their member cemeteries that animals are attracted to natural burial sites. The Green Burial Councils recommended depth is 3.5 feet. A minimum distance of 18 inches is needed to keep the body out of the “smell zone” - the distance between the deceased and the surface that makes the odor noticeable to humans or other animal species.

How large are the plots? How many plots will there be per acre?

Our burial plots will range from 10x15 to 10x20 feet. This is compared to 4x8 feet for a conventional cemetery plot. This larger plot size allows us to protect more habitat and avoid undue disturbance to the native flora and fauna living on the preserve. Each burial plot will be replanted with native species following a burial. Families are welcome to participate in this restoration activity.

Certified conservation cemeteries are only permitted to hold up to 300 burial plots per acre. (Conventional cemeteries house 1,000-1,200 burial plots per acre.) This lower density protects the surrounding ecosystem.

How can we be sure the cemetery will be protected forever?

Our conservation cemetery will be protected to an even greater degree than conventional cemeteries. There are four ways these lands will be protected and maintained permanently:

1. The burial grounds will be registered as a community cemetery and will include a dedicated fund for ongoing maintenance.

2. The cemetery deed will be recorded with the county clerk, and each interment record will be registered there as well.

3. Our conservation cemetery will be certified by the Green Burial Council. Certified conservation cemeteries are required to be protected permanently through a conservation easement or similar irrevocable deed that runs with the land.

4. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy, a well-established and accredited nonprofit land trust, will ensure the conservation cemetery's protection and management as a natural area forever as it does for the over 30,000 acres it already protects in Texas.

How can we be sure the preserve will be maintained as a wilderness park and wildlife habitat? How is your land conserved? Do you use prescribed fire or grazers?

Our team at the Coastal Prairie Conservancy specializes in native prairie restoration and management. The creation of a nature sanctuary will take place with a proven, multi-year restoration regime to 1) remove introduced plant species, 2) restore soil health and topography, and 3) bring back native grassland species. After the grassland species begin to take hold, the team will continue to enforce sustainable grazing and/or haying practices to maintain the natural, open prairie ecosystem. Controlled burns will also be utilized every few years to mimic these vital natural processes safely, removing woody growth and encouraging herbaceous plant diversity.

I’d like to select and purchase a plot for the future. How do I start that process?

For now, please join our email list (available on our Contact page) to follow our progress. Once the cemetery is established, we recommend you meet with us and tour the preserve. We will offer pre-selection of burial plot locations within the mapped sections of the cemetery.

Our family has used the same funeral home for many generations, will Nature's Burial be able to work with them?

We do not require you to work with any particular funeral home. We are happy to honor your wishes and work with any funeral director that you choose. The most important thing is that they understand and are supportive of your wish to have a conservation burial. The Green Burial Council also provides a national list of licensed Green Funeral Homes.

My family has land – can I be buried on my own land in Texas?

Our state does permit family and community cemeteries on private land as long as they are under 10 acres in size and a certain distance outside any nearby municipalities based on population size. It is required to register your family cemetery plat with your local County Clerk’s office and keep records of each interment. Once a burial occurs within the designated grounds, that area is dedicated as a cemetery.

I would like to be cremated; will you offer interment of ashes?

We will permit interment of cremated remains ("ashes") in a natural, biodegradable container. We will also amend the soil surrounding the remains with supplements to restore the soil’s natural pH since cremated remains are quite alkaline.

Will you offer burial of pets? Can my pets remains be buried with me?

Nature’s Burial is a perpetual-care human cemetery, licensed with the State of Texas. We are currently considering adjoining lands for pet burial. Cremated remains of pets may be interred within a family’s plot. Contact us for details.

Will the conservation cemetery be open to all? Will there be any sections designated for particular faith traditions with specific burial requirements?

The conservation cemetery will be a nature preserve open to all. Anyone who is interested in burial on our grounds may purchase interment rights or immediate need burial services.

We welcome members of all beliefs, faiths, and traditions, and we honor all funeral rituals and burial needs provided they are green and safe to accommodate on our grounds. Please contact us if you have specific burial ritual requests.

The cemetery does not currently contain any reserved sections for any particular faith traditions. Please contact us if your community is interested in reserving a section.

Will there be headstones? How will I locate my loved one’s grave?

Traditional headstones will not be used. Each interment site will have an exact GPS coordinate, verified from in-ground survey pins marking each burial plot. GPS coordinates will be provided to families following interments, and our cemetery will provide a helpful ‘walk to grave’ feature on our website along with online, interactive memorial pages. Our stewards will also be happy to help families locate a gravesite at any time. In accordance with state law, our cemetery will maintain careful records of precise burial locations within our database as well as with the county clerk. We will keep meticulous records both on paper and electronically.

What may I place on a grave? Will I be able to plant a tree or flowers?

Cut flowers or greenery may be placed on a grave. Small stones (less than 3”) may be placed as well for those who practice this tradition (common within the Jewish faith). Vases, stands and easels may be used during burial services but removed after the service is complete.

We will host memorial planting events and welcome all ages to participate. These community restoration events will be vital to the conservation cemetery’s ongoing preservation and provide a meaningful way to help care for your loved one’s place of rest.

All burial services will be concluded with a planting of native grasses and/or wildflowers. If you would like to include additional plants on your loved one’s resting place, please contact us for our approved plant list and recommended native plant suppliers.

I would like my loved one to be buried with a few personal belongings. Is that possible?

We will allow burial of mementos and personal belongings as long as they are made of natural materials – leather, paper, wood, cotton, etc. Please let the cemetery stewards know which items you would like to place in your loved one’s grave.

Will the gravesites be accessible for older visitors or those with mobility issues?

Our primary trails will adhere to ADA regulations for ease of access for all visitors. When needed for a burial, a temporary path will be mowed to provide direct access to the burial plot. The gravesites themselves will be covered over by native vegetation soon after burial.

Will you offer other activities on the grounds? Will I be able to visit anytime?

The cemetery grounds will be part of the larger Katy Prairie Preserve system, and we will offer nature-based programming and volunteer opportunities. Visitors will be welcome daily. Our policies will encourage passive recreation with respect for other visitors and burial services occurring on the site while you are visiting.