Losing someone is one of the hardest things you will ever go through. If you are reading this, you may be trying to arrange a funeral quickly, hoping to make it as eco-friendly as possible while also dealing with grief. That is a lot to carry, so we want to make this guidance as straightforward as we can. This page is for anyone who would like to arrange a green funeral but may be unsure where to start or what the options are. You do not need to get everything right. Even one green choice can make a meaningful difference. Here we outline five key aspects to consider when arranging a green funeral.
1. Consider a natural burial
A natural burial is the most environmentally friendly way to lay someone to rest. With a natural burial, the body will be buried in a biodegradable coffin, casket or shroud, without embalming chemicals, in a natural burial ground set within woodland, meadow or countryside where the land is managed as a living natural habitat.
Independent research by PlanetMark in 2023 found that natural burial produces effectively zero carbon emissions during the committal process, as the carbon is absorbed into the surrounding living organisms rather than released into the atmosphere. By comparison, other methods carry a higher carbon footprint. The same research concluded that when all factors are considered, natural burial is the best environmental option available.
Beyond the environmental benefits, many families find that a natural burial ground offers something a traditional cemetery cannot. The setting is peaceful and connected to nature. There are no time restrictions on the day. Plus, families and friends can return to visit whenever they wish and spend time in a place that feels meaningful.
What if cremation is preferred?
Cremation is still the most common choice in the UK, and if that was the request of the person who has died then you will probably want to honour it. But it is worth knowing that most natural burial grounds will also inter ashes, so once a cremation has taken place, this is still an option. Interring ashes at a natural burial ground gives a permanent, peaceful place to visit, rather than scattering them and having no fixed place to return to.
You may also wish to consider the greener alternatives to traditional flame cremation that are now available. Water cremation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis or resomation) and electric cremation both significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption compared to traditional methods. PlanetMark’s research found that resomation produces around 20kg of CO₂e, compared to 126kg CO₂e for natural gas cremation. These options are not yet available everywhere in the UK, but availability is growing. It is worth asking specifically about them when speaking to funeral directors.
You can search for natural burial grounds that also inter ashes in the Dying to Go Green directory.
2. Choose a green funeral director, or consider a DIY funeral
A good funeral director takes an enormous amount of pressure off your shoulders at an already overwhelming time. They can take care of the body, handle the paperwork, arrange the funeral logistics and coordinate suppliers. For most families, appointing a funeral director is one of the kindest things they can do for themselves.
If arranging a green funeral is important to you, it is also important that you choose a funeral director who understands your needs. Most funeral directors will be used to working at natural burial grounds and will offer a range of eco-friendly coffins and flowers to choose from, but levels of knowledge and experience may very.
When you speak to a funeral director, be clear from the outset that having an eco-friendly funeral matters to you. Ask what green options they offer, whether they have experience with natural burials, and how knowledgeable they seem about biodegradable coffins and sustainable practices. A funeral director who understands and values this will make the process much smoother. If you speak to one who seems unfamiliar or uninterested, it is absolutely fine to speak to another.
You can find funeral directors who specialise in green funerals on the Dying to Go Green directory.
Arranging a DIY funeral
DIY and hybrid funeral planning is also a valid option. You absolutely do not have to use a funeral director and you can arrange things yourself, either in full or in part. Some families choose to handle all the arrangements themselves to save costs and give the greatest level of control over every element of the funeral. It requires more time and organisation, but it is entirely possible. The Natural Death Centre offers some helpful practical guidance for anyone considering this route.
3. Choose a biodegradable coffin or shroud
Many traditional coffins contain materials that do not break down naturally, including chipboard, MDF, vinyl wrapping, and plastic or metal handles. A biodegradable coffin is made entirely from natural materials that return to the earth without leaving anything harmful behind.
Materials commonly used for biodegradable coffins include:
- Solid wood, such as pine or oak
- Wicker or willow
- Cardboard made from recycled content
- Wool or cotton.
PlanetMark’s research found that a biodegradable bag produces as little as 0.3kg CO₂e, a cotton shroud 7.9kg CO₂e, and a solid pine coffin 11.1kg CO₂e. By contrast, a vinyl wrapped MDF coffin produces 32.9kg CO₂e. The difference is significant.
A shroud is a simple wrap of natural fabric, most commonly wool or cotton, used in place of a coffin. It is one of the most environmentally gentle options available, and many families find it a beautifully simple way to return someone to the earth. Shrouds are suitable for natural burial.
One practical note: cardboard coffins are generally not recommended for cremation as this will lead to higher carbon emissions during the cremation process. But for a natural or traditional burial, any coffin made from natural materials is ideal.
4. Go for locally sourced, seasonal flowers
Flowers are a beautiful part of saying goodbye, but it is worth knowing that many conventional funeral flower arrangements contain floral foam, commonly known by the brand name Oasis. Floral foam is made from plastic and does not biodegrade. It breaks down into microplastics that enter the soil and water. Large word tributes and shaped displays almost always use it.
A greener approach is to find a florist who sources flowers locally or grows their own, and who avoids floral foam entirely. Choosing flowers that are in season keeps the environmental impact low and often results in arrangements that feel more natural and fitting for a green funeral.
Seasonal flower ideas by time of year:
- Spring: daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, blossom
- Summer: sweet peas, cornflowers, peonies, lavender, wildflowers
- Autumn: dahlias, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, rosehips
- Winter: hellebores, holly, ivy, snowdrops, dried grasses.
You might also consider asking guests not to bring flowers at all, especially as shop-bought flowers are often wrapped in plastic. A meaningful alternative is to invite guests to donate to a charity that was close to the person who has died, or to bring something from their garden.
You can find eco-friendly florists who specialise in green funerals on the Dying to Go Green directory.
5. Remember – green funerals don’t have to be perfect
As a final note, please do not put pressure on yourself to make every element of the funeral eco-friendly. You are grieving. You have very little time. And you are doing something incredibly thoughtful just by looking into these options at all.
Even one green choice makes a difference. Choosing a natural burial, switching to a biodegradable coffin, or asking your florist to avoid plastic and floral foam are all meaningful steps. They do not have to all happen at once, and none of them need to be perfect to matter.
Many families also find that being in a natural setting, surrounded by countryside or woodland, brings a real sense of peace on the day of the funeral and for years afterwards. That connection with nature is something worth having, however you arrive at it.
Find green funeral suppliers near you
If you would like to explore your options, the Dying to Go Green directory is here to help you find natural burial grounds, green funeral directors, biodegradable coffin makers, eco-friendly florists and more suppliers who specialise in natural funerals, all in one place.
We wish you all the very best for your funeral planning.