Natural burials have become increasingly popular as more people consider the environmental impact of traditional burial practices. These burials offer an eco-friendly alternative, allowing the deceased to return to nature without harmful chemicals or non-biodegradable materials.

Because natural burials take a different approach compared to traditional burials, they often require special caskets—or none at all. Here’s everything you need to know about natural caskets and their role in environmentally conscious burials.

Understanding Natural Burials

A natural burial is designed to minimize environmental impact, from body preparation to the burial process itself. This means avoiding embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults, all of which slow down natural decomposition and contribute to pollution.

The goal of a natural burial is to preserve the environment by ensuring every part of the process follows a “leave no trace” philosophy. Even coffin nails and hinges must be biodegradable or omitted altogether.

According to Burial Planning, while many natural burial advocates prefer to forgo a casket entirely, biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds can be used as long as they don’t hinder decomposition.

Additionally, natural burials are typically dug by hand to avoid the pollution caused by heavy machinery. While “green burials” require a designated green cemetery, natural burials can take place in traditional cemeteries. However, the terms “natural” and “green” are often used interchangeably when referring to burial practices and casket materials.

Choosing the Right Natural Casket

For a casket to be considered natural, it must be biodegradable and break down with minimal environmental impact. Caskets made from steel, fiberglass, or other synthetic materials do not meet these criteria.

A truly natural casket should be made from untreated wood or other organic materials. It should also be free of metal components, such as hinges and nails, and should not be chemically treated.

According to Everplans, suitable materials for natural caskets include:

• Bamboo

• Cork

• Teak

• Willow

• Rattan (wicker)

• Recycled cardboard

• Banana leaves

• Seagrass

• Hemp

For those who prefer a burial shroud instead of a casket, materials like organic cotton, wool, and felt are also appropriate options.

Why Choose a Biodegradable Casket?

Opting for a biodegradable casket helps conserve natural resources by reducing the demand for metal and rare hardwoods. While many natural caskets are made from wood, they are designed to decompose efficiently, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Natural burials also eliminate the need for concrete vaults and resource-intensive caskets, significantly reducing carbon emissions from production and transportation. According to Burial Planning, this can make a substantial difference in minimizing the overall environmental footprint of the burial process.

Additionally, choosing a natural casket over cremation can be a more sustainable option. While cremation requires fewer resources than a traditional burial, it still consumes a considerable amount of fossil fuels, releasing carbon emissions that biodegradable caskets avoid altogether.

Where to Purchase Natural Caskets?

With the growing interest in eco-friendly burials, many funeral homes now offer biodegradable caskets. If your local funeral home doesn’t have what you’re looking for, you can find a variety of natural caskets online.

At Discount Caskets, we’re committed to providing the information and resources you need to plan a meaningful and affordable funeral. If you’re looking for a natural or green casket, we can help you find the right option while ensuring you get the best value. We’re here to guide you through the process with compassion and transparency.