Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the top questions we get pertaining to natural burial in Michigan. Do you have more?
What is “natural burial”?
Also known as “green burial” or “simple burial,” this ancient practice involves direct burial into the earth in a sustainable way.
-Uses biodegradable containers or wraps
-Declines the use of chemical embalming
-Does not use a concrete vault or grave liner
-Uses a natural grave marker
Source: Global Green Burial Alliance
Wait a minute, is this legal in Michigan?
Yes! Natural burial is completely legal in Michigan. The trick is finding cemeteries and deathcare providers that support this option. As always, planning ahead helps immensely.
We aim to have some more detailed guides available soon to make it easier to pursue this option. Check back!
Where can I have a natural burial in Michigan?
You can find a growing list of cemeteries supporting some level of natural burial in Michigan at the link below. Do you know of more? Please submit them!
Can I be buried in my backyard?
Yes, possibly! 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 your local health department.
We aim to have more resources on this process soon as one of our Collaborative members is getting started with it on her own land. Check back in a few months for more details.
How do I convince a cemetery near me to support natural burial.
Start with a simple friendly inquiry about whether or not it’s an option there. If it’s not an option, what is their reasoning? Understanding another’s perspectives with an open heart is always the best first step.
There is a lot of misinformation that circulates within modern deathcare industry about natural burial. It is not uncommon for cemeteries, professionals, and communities to have misconceptions about the safety of this ancient and well-proven burial practice. Education and community building can be a good first step, and we hope that our growing Member Directory will soon be able to help connect you with local likeminds to back you in this process.
We aim to have more supportive information and resources on helping convert more cemeteries soon. Please check back.
What about Conservation Cemeteries? What are they?
Cemeteries supporting natural burial are often broken down into a hierarchy of ecological benefit. Conservation cemeteries are the highest tier, and we do not yet have one in MIchigan.
| 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 natural burial option in Michigan. We have many of these, including a few certified by the Green Burial Council. Check out the map above. |
| 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. We have a few of these, certified by the Green Burial Council. Check out the map above |
| 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. We don’t have one of these yet in Michigan, but there are a few efforts working to establish a conservation burial ground. Check out the West Michigan Burial Forest (Near Grand Rapids), which is furthest along. Jeremiah Commons (aiming to establish near Jackson, MI) is another early effort. |
*Adapted from the Green Burial Council