Veterans Administration Opens Green Burial Option

January 14, 2025 – Although only a few avail themselves of the option, Green Burials are a popular trend with environmentally conscious people. The idea is that your body is disposed of in a way that is friendly to the planet: no preservatives used in embalming, non-biodegradable materials, or burial methods that harm the environment.

The Veterans Administration is now making a green burial an option at certain of their cemeteries. In November 2024, VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened Green Burial sections at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona, and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The number of green burial sites at each cemetery are 152, 155 and 222, respectively.

The VA took this action based on surveys of veterans that showed significant interest in the practice. In 2014, NCA conducted a nationwide survey asking Veterans’ interest in burial and memorial options not then offered at national cemeteries. Forty-one percent of respondents agreed that VA should offer an environmentally friendly burial option, including 48% of Veteran respondents between the ages of 18 and 39. In addition, 75% of Veterans interviewed agreed that burial in a defined, naturalistic section in a national cemetery would be acceptable and dignified.

A Personal Connection – and an Adventure

My father-in-law had a green burial in 2012. His send-off was a great experience for the family, a wonderful adventure, and definitely the most interesting funeral of my lifetime. You can read all about it in ‘Why a Green Burial Is a Good Idea”.

Just What Is a Green Burial?

A green burial, also known as a natural burial, is an eco-friendly end-of-life practice that minimizes environmental impact. The goal is to allow the body to decompose naturally, returning nutrients to the earth and conserving natural resources.

Key Features of a Green Burial:

1. No Embalming Chemicals:
   • Traditional embalming uses chemicals like formaldehyde, which can leach into the soil. Green burials avoid these chemicals.
2. Biodegradable Materials:
   • Bodies are buried in biodegradable caskets, shrouds, or even without a container, using materials like untreated wood, wicker, or organic fabrics.
3. Natural Gravesites:
   • The burial site typically avoids concrete vaults or liners, allowing the body to decompose directly into the soil.
4. Eco-Friendly Cemeteries:
   • Green burials are often conducted in specially designated natural burial grounds or green cemeteries, which are preserved as natural habitats.
5. Conservation and Preservation:
   • Some green cemeteries are part of land conservation efforts, helping to restore or maintain ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

Benefits of Green Burials:

• Environmental Sustainability: Reduces waste, pollution, and carbon footprint.
• Lower Cost: Typically less expensive than traditional burials due to the avoidance of costly materials and procedures.
• Personal and Spiritual Connection: Many people feel a deeper connection to nature and prefer a simple, natural return to the earth.

Green burial practices are growing in popularity as people become more environmentally conscious and seek meaningful, sustainable alternatives to traditional burial methods.

For information about VA burial benefits, visit the NCA website at www.cem.va.gov, or call toll free at 800-827-1000.

Comments: Would you be interested in a Green Burial? Let us know in the comments section below.