Types of Green Burial Grounds
Generally speaking, there are three broad levels of green burial grounds. They are as follows:
| Hybrid Burial Ground | A conventional cemetery that offers the essential aspects of natural burial, either throughout the cemetery or in a designated section. This is the most common type of green burial ground |
| Natural Burial Ground | A cemetery dedicated in full to sustainable practices/protocols that conserve energy, minimize waste, and do not allow the use of: toxic chemicals, any part of a vault (lid, slab, or partitioned liner), markers made of non-native stone, and burial containers not made from natural/plant derived materials. |
| Conservation Burial Ground | A type of natural cemetery that is established in partnership with a conservation organization and includes a conservation management plan that upholds best practices and provides perpetual protection of the land according to a conservation easement or deed restriction. |
Green Burial Grounds in Michigan
GBC-certified burial grounds are ones that have undergone stringent standards with the Green Burial Council.
GBC-Certified
- Hebrew Memorial Gardens Nature Preserve Cemetery, Roseville (natural burial ground)
- The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery, Waterford (natural burial ground)
- Linden Meadow at Clinton Grove Cemetery, Macomb County (hybrid)
- Ridgeview Memorial Gardens, Grandville (hybrid)
Other Cemeteries Supporting Natural Burial (all hybrid cemeteries)
- Marble Park Cemetery, Milan
- West Oshtemo Cemetery, Kalamazoo
- Forest Lawn Cemetery, Dexter
- Oak Grove Cemetery, Chelsea
- Mount Carmel Cemetery, Wyandotte
- Jacobsville Cemetery, Jacobsville
- Herman Cemetery, Herman
- Peninsula Township Cemetery, Traverse City
- Chassell Township Cemetery, Houghton
- Forest Hill, Portage Township, Houghton
- Evergreen Cemetery, Houghton Township
- Park Cemetery, Marquette (pending)
- Effort in Pittsfield also pending, more information soon!
Ongoing Conservation Cemetery Efforts
- West Michigan Burial Forest, Grand Rapids
- Jeremiah Commons, planned in Jackson/SE Michigan area
Know of other cemetary efforts in wider Michigan? We want to hear about them!
Converting a Cemetery Near You
More and more existing cemeteries are converting to hybrid cemeteries, enabling natural burial alongside conventional burial. Do you have a cemetery nearby that you were hoping to be buried at? Ask them about supporting natural burial! Refer them to us to help them learn more.
Green Burial on Private Land
Michigan state law allows for the creation of private burial grounds of less than an acre outside city or village limits. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 128.111.) The property must be surveyed and recorded with the county clerk; it will then be exempt from taxation. (See Mich. Comp. Laws § 128.112.)
Before conducting a home burial or establishing a family cemetery, you will need zoning approval and a permit from the local health department.