A natural burial in Texas is a beautiful way to honor your loved one while caring for the environment. Even though a green burial in Texas can be customized, certain guidelines and laws must be followed. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about natural burials, the process, and our Cemetery. We also have a wealth of helpful information on our Resources page. Finally, check out our Facebook page. If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, just Contact Us.
Your Questions Answered
What You Can and Cannot Use for Burial?
First, there is no embalming of the body. Second, the composition of the casket, urn, or burial shroud is non-toxic and made from bio-degradable materials.
As Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery is restoring the burial ground to a natural environment, we do not allow vases, artificial flowers, stuffed animals, or other non-biodegradable decorations to remain on the gravesite. Any items are left on the grave, after a few days they will be removed from the site and returned to the family if possible. We welcome any natural items placed at a site, for example wreaths made exclusively of natural materials or flowers. Any direct plantings will need to be approved in advance by us.
At Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery, our grave markers are engraved flat natural stones. We provide those as part of many of our packages, or you can purchase them from us separately. If would like to provide your own marker, it needs to be approved by us before placement.
Certainly! Natural coffins are made from materials that readily biodegrade. Consider using renewable or recycled materials. A shroud can be as simple as an all-cotton sheet or as elaborate as a quilted piece of art using silks, linens, or other natural fabrics.
No. Surprisingly the scattering of ashes are not environmentally friendly. The high alkalinity of cremated remains is harmful to plants and inhibits their growth. However, gravesites are available for cremated remains that may be buried either directly in the ground or in a biodegradable container.
Accessories
Because of the nature of a green burial, caskets 100% biodegradable. To that end, a green casket contains no plastic, glass, or metal. Generally crafted from natural materials such as unfinished wood, woven materials such as willow, seagrass, or bamboo, they are designed to offer a warm, handcrafter appearance.
The goal of a green burial casket is to provide a dignified that honors the person you loved while minimizing any environmental impact of their final resting place.
Essentially, a burial shroud is a cloth to wrap the deceased. A shroud is free of metal or plastic, including buttons, zippers, or embellishments. Due to their ease of biodegradability, select a shroud of cotton, wool, hemp, or other natural fibers. In addition, a shroud may have biodegradable handles to carry and lower the body into the grave.
Home funerals allow families to care for a deceased loved one in the familiarity of their own home. After-death care in the home was the norm until the early part of the 20th century. A family can manage a home funeral themselves or in conjunction with a licensed funeral director. If you would like to know more about this, you can go to the National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA) website.
Similar to a green burial casket, a green urn is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Prices
Contact Us if you have other questions.
Can You Explain Natural Burials?
Yes! Natural burials are legal in Texas when the rules are observed.
A green burial, sometimes called a natural burial with the focus on minimal environmental impact. In contrast to traditional burials, where the body is often embalmed with chemicals and encased in metal or hardwood coffins, green burials allow the body to decompose naturally. The focus is on simplicity and sustainability, using biodegradable materials and avoiding practices that could hinder the natural return of the body to the earth.
The essentials of a green burial typically include using a coffin, shroud, or casket made from natural, biodegradable materials such as untreated wood, wicker, or even wool. Burial sites are usually chosen for their natural beauty and ecological value, often resembling meadows, woodlands, or pastureland rather than formal cemeteries. The graves are often unmarked or marked with a simple, natural memorial like a tree or a small, discreet plaque.
There are unique factors of a conservation cemeteries like Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery. A conservation cemetery is much like a green cemetery in the burial practices that are followed, however there are a few distinct features that make our type of cemetery unique. The first unique factor is that a conservation cemetery is located on conservation land. This type of land has special easements and the uses are limited. The primary goal is to preserve and protect the land.
A conservation cemetery also has to be certified by an entity like the Green Burial Council. Earning the special designation is what separates conservation cemeteries apart.
As a Conservation Burial Ground in south-central Texas, Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery has set the standard for environmentally-friendly burials. We are part of protected lands in a conservation land trust. Most importantly the natural, scenic, historical, agricultural, and open spaces will preserve the wildlife of the Texas ranch lands.
At some natural burial grounds, grave markers are not allowed. However, at Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery, each plot is marked with an engraved natural sandstone grave marker.
Actually, approval of Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery required a complete study of the property, including the water table, flora, and fauna. As a result, the land gained approval as a conservation burial ground.
No, Unbroken Circle Green Cemetery is not a funeral establishment. As a cemetery, we receive bodies that have been prepared for a natural burial from licensed funeral directors or directly from the family. Texas law allows for transportation of the deceased in a private vehicle, as long as you follow the legal and public safety guidelines.
For a natural burial a body is prepared without the use of embalming chemicals or disinfectants. Washing with soap, essential oils and warm water, and keeping the body cool is adequate preparation. Licensed funeral establishments will hold a body for natural burial in a refrigerated unit until the scheduled burial. Home funeral practice generally involves keeping the body cool using dry ice or frozen gel packs. If clothing is desired, selecting items of cotton and/or other natural products is encouraged. The body may be buried in a biodegradable coffin, casket, or shroud (fabric) of natural fibers, such as linen, silk and cotton.
The law in Texas states that a body must be buried, cremated, embalmed, OR refrigerated within 24 hours, but allows for a longer period of time as long as the body poses no danger to the public health. Refrigeration is a typical service provided by funeral homes and it can also be accomplished at home with ice packs or dry ice. Embalming is not required by law in any state but is often the policy of a funeral home if visitation is desired. Most funeral homes will readily adjust to accommodate a client who requests a green burial.
Pre-Planning & Plot Reservtions
First, make a reservation and come out for a tour. We’ll help you pick a spot. Then, sign a contract, make a payment, and we’ll mark the spot with a temporary marker.
Whether yours or a loved one’s death, pre-planning is, as it is for many important events. is important to be sure things are done the way you want them. Visit with us, take a tour of the Cemetery, and we can help put together a personal plan.
Other Questions
Indeed. Catholics and the Catholic Church and both practice and support natural burials, approving the physical burying of the dead with care for the earth.
We’re always looking for your feedback.
Still Have Questions?
Hopefully, these questions and answers will give you more detailed information about many of the questions asked by our visitors and clients.
If you still have questions, or want to discuss your specific need, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
