All Natural Green Burial Services

What Is a All Natural Green Burial?

Green burial, sometimes called natural burial, is an approach to burial designed to allow the body to return to the earth naturally. Rather than attempting to significantly slow the natural process, green burial generally uses biodegradable materials and avoids conventional embalming chemicals.

Depending on the requirements of the cemetery selected, a natural burial may include:

• Refrigeration instead of conventional embalming
• A biodegradable wood, willow, or bamboo casket
• A natural burial shroud
• Burial without a traditional concrete burial vault
• A graveside funeral or memorial ceremony
• Burial within a natural or conservation-oriented cemetery setting
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Our funeral directors can explain the available options and help your family determine which choices are appropriate based on your wishes and the requirements of the cemetery.

All Natural Green Burial Costs & Package Plans

All Natural Green Burial Casket Options

Families may choose from environmentally responsible burial options.

Also available: Natural Burial Shroud $425

Biodegradable Caskets & Natural Burial Shrouds

An important part of green burial is selecting materials capable of returning naturally to the earth.

McComas Family Funeral Homes offers several environmentally conscious burial choices, including natural pine, willow, and bamboo caskets as well as natural burial shrouds.



Our funeral directors can explain the differences between these options and help you select merchandise that meets both your preferences and the requirements of the green burial cemetery you choose.

A Meaningful Funeral Can Still Be Part of a Natural Burial

Choosing a natural burial does not mean giving up the opportunity to gather, remember, and say goodbye.

Families can still create a personalized funeral experience that reflects the life, beliefs, traditions, and personality of their loved one. Depending on your family's wishes and the timing and requirements associated with natural burial, services may include a private family viewing, visitation, funeral ceremony, religious service, celebrant-led service, or graveside gathering.

Music, prayers, scripture, readings, personal reflections, photographs, and other meaningful elements may also be incorporated into the service.



Our goal is to help families create an experience that feels personal and meaningful while respecting the principles associated with natural burial.

Green Burial Planning in Maryland

One of the most common questions families have is where a natural burial can take place.

Not every cemetery permits green or natural burial, and individual cemeteries may have different requirements regarding caskets, shrouds, burial containers, grave preparation, memorialization, and other aspects of burial.

McComas Family Funeral Homes can help coordinate the funeral arrangements with an appropriate green burial cemetery and work directly with cemetery personnel, clergy, celebrants, and other participants involved in the service.



Whether you are making arrangements following a death or researching green burial as part of funeral preplanning, our team can help you understand the process before decisions need to be made.

Why Families Choose Natural Burial

Families consider natural or green burial for many different reasons. For some, environmental responsibility is especially important. Others appreciate the simplicity of returning naturally to the earth or prefer a funeral that uses fewer manufactured materials and conventional burial products.

Natural burial may appeal to families who value:

• Environmental sustainability
• Simplicity and minimalism
• Biodegradable and natural materials
• Conservation of natural surroundings
• Reduced use of conventional embalming chemicals
• A meaningful connection between life, death, and nature
• A more intimate graveside experience



There is no single approach that is right for every family. Our role is to explain your choices clearly so you can select the type of funeral and burial that best reflects your wishes.

Natural Burial Preplanning

You do not have to wait until a death occurs to explore green burial.

Natural Green Burial Funeral preplanning provides an opportunity to discuss your preferences, learn about natural burial cemeteries, consider biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and document the type of service you would like.

Planning ahead can also make your wishes clear to your family and reduce the number of decisions they may need to make at the time of your death.

McComas Family Funeral Homes can meet with you to discuss natural burial preplanning and answer your questions without obligation.

Natural Burial & Green Burial FAQs

Is natural burial the same as green burial?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Both generally describe burial practices intended to allow the body and burial materials to return naturally to the earth while reducing the environmental impact associated with some conventional burial practices.

Is embalming required for a natural burial?

Natural burial typically avoids conventional embalming chemicals. Refrigeration and other appropriate care may be used instead. Our funeral directors can explain the care options available for your particular arrangements.

Can we have a viewing with a natural burial?

Yes. McComas Family Funeral Homes' Natural Burial Package includes a private family identification or viewing. Additional visitation options may also be available depending on the family's wishes and circumstances.

Do you need a casket for a green burial?

Not necessarily. Depending upon cemetery requirements, families may be able to choose a biodegradable casket or an appropriate natural burial shroud.

What types of caskets can be used for natural burial?

Biodegradable options may include caskets made from natural pine, willow, bamboo, and other natural materials. McComas offers several natural burial casket choices as well as a burial shroud.

Is a concrete burial vault required for green burial?

Green burial cemeteries generally seek to avoid conventional burial vaults because natural decomposition and direct contact with the earth are central principles of natural burial. Requirements, however, vary by cemetery, so our funeral directors will help confirm the rules of the cemetery you select.

Can we still have a funeral service with a green burial?

Yes. Choosing natural burial does not prevent your family from having a meaningful funeral or memorial ceremony. Depending on your wishes, a service may include family and friends, clergy or a celebrant, music, readings, prayers, personal reflections, and other personalized elements.

Can a natural burial be preplanned?

Yes. Natural burial can be discussed and planned in advance. Preplanning allows you to document your wishes, explore cemetery choices, select the type of biodegradable burial container you prefer, and discuss the type of funeral or graveside service you would like.

Does McComas Family Funeral Homes offer green burial services in Harford, York & Northern Baltimore County?

Yes. McComas Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Memorial Center assists families interested in natural and green burial throughout Harford & Northern Baltimore County, MD, York County, PA and surrounding communities. With locations in Bel Air, Abingdon, and Jarrettsville, our funeral directors can guide your family through the arrangements and coordinate the funeral and burial with an appropriate green burial cemetery.

Where can natural burials take place in Maryland?

Natural burial must take place in a cemetery or burial ground that permits the type of green burial arrangements you select. Because requirements differ among cemeteries, McComas Family Funeral Homes can help families identify appropriate options and coordinate arrangements with cemetery personnel.