Average Cost Breakdown Of A Natural Burial

There are many options available to the modern funeral consumer, including eco-friendly burial, traditional burial, cremation, and memorials. While it may seem logical to assume that the most affordable option would be the one that doesn’t involve embalming or other costly procedures, this simply isn’t true when it comes to natural burials. Here are some things you should know about the cost of natural burials before you decide to take that route with your loved one’s final arrangements.

Burial Permits

Before you can bury a body, you have to get permission from local officials. Permits for burials are often tied to cemeteries, which means that if you want to bury your loved one on your own property or elsewhere, it’s going to cost money. In some areas, securing a burial permit is as simple as paying an annual fee and filling out paperwork; in others, it can be prohibitively expensive or downright impossible.

Burial Plots

A natural burial plot can run anywhere from $500 to $10,000. Several factors determine its cost, including whether it’s on an existing piece of land or in a new area designated for natural burials. This fee is usually in addition to any services provided by your funeral home, and it may be waived if you purchase your plot directly from them. If you have specific needs, you might also have to pay more for your plot. For example, if you want to be buried with non-biodegradable products like caskets or vaults. And once you’ve been laid to rest, there are still expenses associated with being memorialized, where headstones or cremation urns generally cost extra.

Funeral Services

Planning your own funeral can be a daunting process. Not only do you have to choose what kind of funeral service you want, but you also have to figure out how much it will cost. Most people are surprised to learn that burials come with unexpected costs like embalming and grave digging. While there’s no way around these expenses, there are ways to minimize them.

Burial Vessels

A burial vessel, also called an urn or cremation urn, is just what it sounds like. It’s used to hold your loved one’s ashes after they’ve been cremated. The vessels are typically made out of stone, glass, or ceramics. They can range in price depending on the design and materials used. If you want to have your loved one buried next to you, try looking for used vessels. Some families choose to keep their beloved’s vessel at home, while others find it comforting to have it buried along with them in their final resting place. If you decide that you don’t want any coffin or vessel, ask about using an earth-friendly shroud instead.

Burial Clothing

The clothes you wear when you are alive are not meant to last forever. In a natural burial, it is no different. Your body will be wrapped in an eco-friendly shroud made from natural fibers like linen, hemp, or cotton. You can choose to be buried in your own clothing, which your family members will need to treat with special care. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, one option is burying in silk — the soft fabric can soften the contours of your body and will decompose quickly when exposed to air and moisture. Silk burials can be expensive; most families opt for less expensive but equally beautiful options like cotton or wool, which come in many colors and styles depending on how formal you want your funeral service to be.