Sustainably Saying Goodbye: Why Natural Burials Are Gaining Popularity With Green-Minded Families

The sustainability movement has reached just about every part of modern life in recent years, including the homes we build and the food we eat. 

And today in 2025, these eco-conscious values are now revolutionizing how countless families approach end-of-life care through what’s known as natural burials. Once considered a niche ceremony, natural (or green burials) are quickly becoming more of a mainstream choice for families who want to say goodbye while honoring both their loved one and the planet.

We recently got in touch with the natural burial yellow springs Ohio experts at Jackson, Lytle & Lewis to learn more about this ongoing trend in the funeral industry, so check out the below sections to learn more about what natural burials are and why it’s a growing movement this year!

What Exactly Are Natural Burials?

Natural burials essentially are a foundational return to simplicity. Instead of using metal caskets, chemical embalming and concrete vaults, these funeral processes solely utilize biodegradable materials to better allow a decedent’s body to naturally decompose and renourish the soil. 

Natural burials often occur in designated conservation areas, forests and meadows that allow wildlife and plants to thrive—unlike perfectly manicured cemeteries. 

The whole approach behind natural burials closely aligns with a back-to-earth philosophy that prioritizes minimalism, sustainability and a deep respect for nature. And for many families around the world, natural burials represent a practical decision that reflects their personal values. 

The Growing Natural Burial Movement In 2025

The ongoing rise of natural burials goes hand in hand with much larger cultural shifts toward eco-consciousness and environmental awareness. This could be in part due to growing climate concerns, but it’s safe to say that more individuals are now reconsidering traditional funeral practices due to heavy ecological footprints. 

A lot of people don’t realize this, but conventional burials utilize formaldehyde-based embalming fluids, resource-intensive cemetery maintenance and non-biodegradable caskets. And even though cremation services are largely considered to be greener, they also emit a lot of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. 

On the other hand, natural burials entail only a small fraction of the environmental impact associated with traditional end-of-life care. Some of the key factors driving the natural burial trend in 2025 include:

• Eco-conscious Gen Xers and millennials assisting older relatives with pre-planning green funerals. 

• Wellness and faith communities embracing natural burials as a more holistic view of death.

• Conservation organizations developing more natural burial grounds that also double as protected wildlife habitats.

The Emotional Benefits Of Green Burials 

Beyond sustainability efforts, natural burials go a long way to help grieving families heal through connection. 

Many families describe natural burials as grounding, peaceful and deeply personal experiences. A lot of green burial sites also encourage friends and family to participate in the ceremonial process, which could entail loved ones lowering the body underground, scattering wildflower seeds, and even planting memorial trees. 

This type of hands-on approach undoubtedly fosters a strong sense of belonging and closure in comparison to traditional funerals. The environment itself, including birdsongs, open air and natural beauty all become a part of the renewal and reflection process. 

And in a culture that typically avoids talking about death at all costs, natural burials help remind us of the full circle of life—and how through death we all rejoin nature’s eternal rhythm. 

Environmental Stewards & Sustainable Legacies 

Choosing to have a natural burial isn’t solely about minimizing ecological harm, because it’s also strongly about creating a positive impact on the future of the planet that we leave behind.

Many green cemeteries will utilize burial fees to fund native habitat restorations and land preservations, which means that each burial tangibly contributes to long-term biodiversity and ecosystem protections. 

So, in many ways, natural burials are like one final act of giving back to the earth. And for eco-friendly families, these acts help solidify legacies of continuity and care that endure long after we pass away.

Natural Burials Offer A Holistic Way To Honor The Lives Of Our Loved Ones

Natural burials are currently growing in popularity throughout the United States and abroad because they offer a new form of mindfulness that values ecological harmony, simplicity, and the overall continuity of life. 

These ceremonies also help countless families to grieve the loss of their loved ones in a profound way that feels purposeful, authentic, and connected to the earth. 

And as more people continue embracing sustainability within various parts of their lifestyles, it’s safe to say that saying goodbye sustainably will also continue to resonate very deeply!