Green BURIAL

Green funerals & burials

Green Funerals & Burials in Maryland

Our Staff recognizes that preservation of our earth is extremely important. With so many of us using reusable grocery bags, buying organic and doing all we can to reduce our carbon foot print, why not make an eco-friendly choice that will benefit the earth forever by choosing Green Burial?

Green Funerals and Burials are exclusively available through Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care - Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam and our privately owned cemetery Bestgate Memorial Park.

caring for our environment

Green Burial Packages

We offer a natural Green Burial option in our privately owned section of Bestgate Memorial Park.

Caskets are made of biodegradable materials like wicker or wood, with no outer enclosures allowed. No embalming is used, and onsite refrigeration allows time for family gatherings.

To minimize environmental impact, graves are hand-dug, and a custom river rock memorial marks the site. Cremated remains can also be buried using eco-friendly urns made of pressed cotton, wood, and other biodegradable materials.

Traditional Green Burial Tribute - $13,277

Basic services of the funeral director and staff (including posting of newspaper notices, social security and filing of the death certificate)
Three days temp. refrigeration (embalming not permitted with Natural Green Burial)
All natural graveside services at Bestgate Memorial Park Green Burial Section
Motor equipment (local transfer of remains to funeral home & transport to gravesite)
Eco-friendly casket
Seasonal Loose Flower Arrangement
Single grave in Bestgate Memorial Park Green Burial Section
River rock memorial stone with engraving
Opening and closing of grave performed by hand

Green Burial Service Tribute - $14,127

Basic services of the funeral director and staff (including posting of newspaper notices, social security and filing of the death certificate)
Sanitary care & dressing of unembalmed remains
Three days temp. refrigeration (embalming not permitted with Natural Green Burial)
One hour private family viewing
All natural graveside services at Bestgate Memorial Park Green Burial Section
Motor equipment (local transfer of remains to funeral home & use of hearse)
Closed casket funeral service at funeral home or other facility
Eco-friendly casket
1 dozen roses or loose flowers
Single grave in Bestgate Memorial Park Green Burial Section
River rock memorial stone with engraving
Opening and closing of grave performed by hand

Green Burial Caskets

These caskets are constructed of renewable Northeastern hardwoods, contain no metal parts and use only biodegradable glues and finishes. They are approved by the Green Burial Council and are suitable for burial or green cremation. Green caskets are designed to move the funeral and burial process to a greener and more human-centered place. We can only achieve this through continuous attention to the environmental impact of our products and practices and by attentively listening to our client's ideas for meaningful ceremony.

Green Burial Options in Maryland

A natural burial (or green burial) is a simplified and natural way of returning the body to the earth. Natural Burials are low impact, use less energy, and consume fewer resources than traditional burials. 'Going green' often does not involve embalming and is instead focused on making more natural choices such as simple, biodegradable caskets.

If you have decided upon natural burial in a green cemetery, then you'll choose a naturally-finished casket made of biodegradable materials or a simple shroud. Some green cemeteries in Maryland require that the selected casket, urn or shroud are made from materials that are biodegradable, non-toxic and harvested in a sustainable manner.

Looking for More Information?

If you have questions or need further information about Green Funerals & Burials, please fill out the contact form below. Our team is here to assist you with any inquiries or concerns you may have.