Can You Be Buried without a Casket? 

When we think about final arrangements, our thoughts often turn to what we consider a "traditional" funeral. This includes a memorial service and then a burial where the remains are placed into a casket and then laid to rest in a cemetery. But can you be buried without a casket?

Caskets: Not Necessarily a Requirement

The short answer is yes, you can be buried in the ground without a casket. This is known as green burial, or sometimes even a natural burial. In fact, these types of burials are becoming increasingly popular as people become more concerned about the environmental impact of traditional burial practices. That green and natural burials can often be less expensive than traditional burial has also had some impact on their growing popularity.

While green burials can and do happen in traditional locations such as cemeteries, they also often occur in a natural setting such as a woodland or meadow. These types of burials are typified by their lack of any embalming fluids or other non-biodegradable materials in and on the body. Instead, the remains are wrapped in a shroud or placed in a simple casket made from sustainable materials, such as pinewood, cardboard, or even woven from wicker or bamboo.

Where Can You Be Buried Without a Casket?

If you're interested in this type of green burial, there are several places where you can be buried in the ground without a casket. Some cemeteries offer designated green burial sections, while others allow green burials on any available plot. There are also a number of organizations that promote green burials and can help you find a suitable location.

It's important to note that in most states in the United States, green burials can be conducted on private property. If you want to be laid to rest on your own property, it's perfectly legal to do so; you can also be given a burial without a casket on someone else's private property, so long as you seek permission first.

Additional Information About Green Burials

Green burials that don't involve the use of traditional caskets have some other aspects to them that you should know about. This includes how embalming is not required for a green burial. In fact, it is discouraged, as it can contaminate the soil and groundwater. Additionally, burial vaults are also not required for a green burial. They are typically used to prevent the casket from sinking into the ground, but this is not a concern with green burials, as the bodies are not buried in concrete vaults.

Meanwhile, the cost of these types of burials can sometimes be less expensive than traditional burials. The lack of any requirement to use a casket or vault, and the fact that they are often done in natural settings that do not require the purchase of a burial plot, directly contribute to lowering the general expense of a green burial. However, if the deceased practices a specific religion, be sure to first speak to a religious leader to ensure that green burial isn't prohibited by the tenets of their faith or if there are aspects that must be changed in any way. Also consider that if a green burial is desired, it's often still preferable to do so in a cemetery, with a specific place loved ones can visit to pay their respects, and where you know the landscape will always be well maintained.

More Things to Keep in Mind If You Want a Non-Traditional Burial

If you are considering a burial that doesn't involve a traditional casket, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you will need to find a location that allows green burials. As specified above, you'll need either a cemetery that offers them or a site on private property that will be suitable for the burial. Second, you will need to choose a casket or shroud that is made from sustainable materials.

Finally, you will need to make arrangements for your body to be transported to the burial site. This last step can be handled by a funeral home, especially if you're also holding a memorial ceremony prior to burial. These types of burials are often considered a beautiful and meaningful way to say goodbye to a loved one, especially someone who was known to be deeply passionate about the environment in life. A memorial service where this is stressed contributes to the overall meaning of the burial.

Learn More About Being Buried Without a Casket

A green or natural burial that doesn't make use of a traditional casket might seem irregular today, but the choice is growing increasingly popular as time goes on. The benefits of such a burial include reducing the environmental impact we have on the planet as well as potentially managing the costs of that burial. Additionally, it's important to note that the "traditional" burial as we know it today is only a few hundred years old. If you're looking to truly follow tradition, humanity has been burying their dead in shrouds and simple wooden caskets for thousands of years.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to be buried without a casket is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to this choice, as it depends on the beliefs and values of the deceased. If you're planning a funeral for a loved one, or if you're simply doing your own advance planning, be sure to speak to close friends and family members to get their opinion on the matter, as well as any relevant religious leaders. Finally, always remember that your funeral director can act as an expert guide and an invaluable resource in learning more about what goes into being buried without a casket in a green or natural burial.

At MemorialPlanning.com, we have a network of hundreds of cemeteries and funeral homes. Our experts would be happy to answer your questions.