It’s become abundantly clear that consumers are interested in green death care services, but the interest isn’t equal across the board. As death care options continue to expand, it’s natural burial that is beginning to get the most attention.
Already, over 10% of burials in the United States are natural burials. This makes it the most common type of green death care service.
The growing interest in natural burial, also referred to as green burial, is understandable given that the practices are much more similar to what many people are already used to – traditional burial. Natural organic reduction and water cremation are extremely eco-friendly, but they are a bit of a departure from the types of disposition that have been used for decades. People are unfamiliar with what’s involved, so it’s understandable that adoption could take some time.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. There are a number of clear signs that indicate natural burial at green cemeteries is about to explode in growth.
Green Death Care Market is Growing at a Faster Pace
The first sign that natural burial and green cemeteries are going to be growing in the coming years comes from market projections. Globally, the green burial sector of the death care market was valued at $2 billion in 2025. It’s expected to keep growing at a pace of 8% a year between now and 2033.
That pace is higher than the traditional burial sector showing that the growth isn’t necessarily for burial across the board. Market reports also noted that there is growth in green cremation and natural organic reduction and that the North American and European markets dominate the green burial sector.
All Generations Are Interested in Green Burial Options
Recently, we discussed revealing points from a 2025 consumer preference study that was conducted by Wake Forest Law School. The study surveyed people from multiple generations: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers.
The results were clear – while green burial was the top preference for just 1 out of 10 people in each of the generations, many others stated they were interested in it and would consider it. What was even more interesting was that 52% of those in Gen Z had the highest preference for casket burial. There’s good reason to believe many of them would opt for green burial given that 70% of Gen Zers say they are concerned about the environment.
Increased Investment in Conservation Cemeteries
Another strong indicator that natural burial is about to explode in growth is the increased investment in conservation cemeteries. A conservation cemetery isn’t like a traditional cemetery and is different from a green cemetery.
Conservation cemeteries are protected natural preserves where only green burial is allowed and the goal is for burial to be completely sustainable. The maintenance of green burial sites in these cemeteries is also minimal given that everything is supposed to stay natural.
Recent market reports note that conservation cemeteries have strong growth potential. The Green Burial Council states that right now there are only 23 true conservation cemeteries in the U.S., but there are more than 200 certified green burial sites.
Conservation cemeteries are established using conservation easements and land trusts. While a large land acquisition is needed, because far less development is required, conservation cemeteries are considered a good income generator. While the burial plots aren’t cheap, typically costing between $7,000 and $12,000, people are willing to pay the premium price since it is helping to preserve the land rather than polluting it.
This, along with increasing consumer demand, make conservation cemeteries highly desirable for investors in the death care industry. That’s why some projections estimate that 1 million acres of land will be used as conservation cemeteries in the next 25 years.
Biodegradable Burial Container Options Are Rapidly Expanding
Something else that we’ve brought attention to recently is the emergence of mushroom caskets and burial suits. It’s just one of the new types of biodegradable burial containers that are gaining interest.
Even green burial requires some sort of biodegradable casket or shroud, so it’s only logical that as natural burial becomes more common these options will expand along with it. With each new option that’s developed and brought to market, it supports that green burial is being chosen over traditional services.
More Traditional Cemeteries Are Going Green
There are over 144,000 traditional cemeteries in existence today. The operators of active cemeteries are taking note of the growing interest in green burial. They have a better gauge of consumer demand than others given that they are fielding questions from consumers and getting requests for natural burial services.
They are also paying attention to the increased investment in conservation cemeteries that are considered direct competitors. While the green burial segment is set to grow by 8% a year, traditional cemeteries have a compound annual growth rate of just 1.62% in the same time period.
Something else that traditional cemeteries are keeping in mind is that the cost of traditional burial has contributed to its decline. Often, natural burial is more cost effective, which could help some traditional cemeteries that have seen a drop in demand.
In order to stay competitive and grow revenue at a faster pace, more traditional cemeteries are going green. Not entirely, but partially by adding green burial sections. This allows them to cater to people who are interested in any type of burial and evolve to meet changing consumer preferences.
Given the religious and cultural significance of burial, it’s not disappearing even as other end-of-life services become more popular. Instead, how we bury the dead is going to change to become more eco-friendly in the coming years.
Cremation.Green offers Texas families more than clean flame cremation. We also help arrange natural burial services in traditional cemeteries, green cemeteries and conservation cemeteries. If you’d like to know more about the process, please give us a call, text or email at your convenience.