Are Green Funerals Cheaper?

Understanding the costs of natural burial.

The concept of an all-natural burial is ancient, pre-dating the modern funeral industry and even modern civilization. For some, there is great comfort in returning to this simpler and more natural way of laying a person to rest. For people committed to a greener way of life, an eco-friendly farewell is a beautiful final expression of those values. Others may choose green burial as a cost-effective alternative to more complex traditional funerals

If you're considering a green funeral for yourself or a loved one, here's what you need to know about the costs of natural burial.

Cost of green vs traditional burial

The cost of a funeral can vary significantly, and many factors influence that price:

• Service fees
• Embalming and body preparation
• Staff and facilities for viewing and ceremony
• The type of casket or urn you choose
• Cemetery plot and grave liner
• Cremation fees or burial expenses (opening and closing the grave)
• Memorial items and keepsakes
• Flowers and decorations
• Venue and catering fees

A traditional funeral service can cost from $4,000 to more than $10,000 depending on what a family selects. When you choose a green funeral, many of these costs are reduced or eliminated. For example, green funerals forgo embalming and often skip the elaborate ceremony for a private graveside service. Green burial also avoids the use of metal or treated wood caskets, instead using containers made of untreated wood, biodegradable cardboard, wicker, or cloth. Most green cemeteries also don't require a vault or grave liner. And, of course, you have the freedom to make your funeral or memorial service as simple or elegant as you wish.

The largest expense for a green burial is usually the funeral plot in a natural cemetery. If you have private property and wish for your loved one to be buried there, obtaining permits for a home burial can trim these costs further.

In general, the total cost of a green funeral in New Mexico is usually between $1,000 and $4,000 or more depending on what gravesite you choose and what type of service you hold.

Are green burials cheaper than cremation?

Green burial is similar in price to a full-service cremation. Many people who choose cremation also opt to skip embalming and use an affordable cremation container rather than buying a casket, which keeps the costs similar. Both options also provide a chance for loved ones to gather and say goodbye at a service, whether that's a funeral, celebration of life, witness cremation or graveside service.

Direct cremation, where the body is cremated right away without a service, is generally more affordable than the average green burial. That's because the only expenses are those necessary to perform the cremation, not host a gathering. If you wish to hold a private memorial service for your loved one after their cremation, those costs will need to be considered as well.

Which should I choose?

Overall, green burial and cremation are similar enough in cost that choosing between them should be a matter of personal preference and values. You may wish to sit down with your closest family members to discuss your options and decide in advance what best aligns with your values and will help your loved ones in their grief.

You can also schedule a meeting with our staff at French Funerals & Cremations at 505-843-6333, or visit any of our Albuquerque funeral home locations, to discuss your options. We're happy to answer your questions, discuss pricing, and walk you through the steps of planning a green funeral so you can decide on the right option for you.