Natural Funeral: Costs and rules for your last journey in harmony with nature
- Debby
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
What does a natural grave cost?
If you choose a place that feels good and appeals to you, you can pay for it immediately, and the natural cemetery will estimate and invoice after death. The natural cemetery arranges the grave, the burial in the cemetery and later the maintenance. The other funeral costs are usually borne by the funeral director, such as guidance, coffin or enfolding, care (for example, you can have the deceased cared for by a thanatopractor, thanatopraxia is a more sustainable conservation method than embalming). This can be a pleasant way to say goodbye. Furthermore, funeral transport, flowers, funeral card, refreshments and, for example, the coffee table.
Is a natural burial insured? Financing an eco-friendly farewell
New development
Natural burial is a relatively new development, which is why it is not always included in funeral insurance policies. The costs for the grave and burial can then be borne by you. This means that when reserving a natural grave, it must initially be paid for from your own resources. When reserving a living spot, this must be pre-financed. It is therefore good to check whether you are insured for natural burial.
There is a lot of choice in funeral insurance and you can always check with your own insurance to see what is and is not covered. If it no longer suits you, inquiring about another funeral insurance policy might be a good idea.
Insurances
Capital insurance: With a capital insurance policy you take out insurance for a certain amount of money. This way, the money released after death can be used to purchase the grave and the funeral and any maintenance.
In-kind insurance: With in-kind insurance for a natural funeral you have a kind of basic package for the funeral. The insurance reimburses part of the funeral costs according to the conditions in the policy, generally comparable to a traditional funeral or cremation. The policy states exactly which (standard) services are included in the insurance. Please note: there may be additional costs for a natural burial that are not covered by insurance.
One-off costs
The one-off costs for a natural grave usually include development costs of the natural cemetery, administration costs, guidance in choosing a grave, maintenance of the natural cemetery and nature development. Furthermore, a natural cemetery has a forester and/or grounds manager who ensures the maintenance of the natural cemetery. Finally, investments are also made in nature development at the natural cemetery itself or in the vicinity of the natural cemetery. The exact costs vary per natural cemetery, a price list can usually be found on the website of your natural cemetery. The costs depend on the location, the desired funeral and the funeral insurance.
Emotion and value
In addition to the costs, emotion also plays a very important role in the choice of natural burial. The peace and nature experience of a natural cemetery are valuable to many. People often choose natural burials because they like the idea of resting in nature. The idea that natural burial is better for the environment can also help. Natural burial is on average no more expensive than a traditional funeral. The choice for natural burial is often an emotional choice. Emotion cannot be expressed in money, so you can say that natural burial is 'priceless' in that sense.
What are the rules for natural burial?
I have listed the most important rules for you:
Location: Natural burials are only permitted in designated areas.
Accessibility: The natural cemetery must be accessible to relatives and visitors.
Maintenance: The natural cemetery must be properly maintained.
Natural values: The natural values of the area must not be affected by the natural cemetery.
Grave monuments: Traditional grave monuments are usually not allowed in natural cemeteries. There are alternatives, such as wooden discs or boulders.
Biodegradable Materials: Coffins and urns must be made of biodegradable materials.
No Embalming: Embalming of the deceased is not permitted. There are good natural alternatives for this.
Other rules:
Some natural cemeteries have rules about the clothing of the deceased.
In some natural cemeteries music or sound amplification is not allowed during the funeral.
Pets are not allowed at some natural cemeteries.
Natural burial is becoming increasingly popular in for example the Netherlands. It is expected that more and more natural cemeteries will be added in the coming years. It is therefore expected that the rules surrounding natural burials will be further developed and harmonized.
Green Funeral: the journey to a natural burial
Another sustainable consideration could be a funeral bus or funaral limosine. I was told that this is a very nice and pleasant way to take your loved one away together. The funaral limosine suitable for small groups and the funeral bus for bigger groups. No funeral procession with separate cars, but one shared journey with the deceased and loved ones.
Instead of driving behind the hearse spread across several cars, this provides a moment for connection and closeness. Depending on the number of surviving relatives, a funeral bus is also a sustainable way of mourning. A natural cemetery may even already have a sustainable bus or limosine available.
Indication:
Average between €2,500 and €5,000 one-time (comparable to a traditional burial) |
So, in short, choosing a natural grave means resting peacefully in a beautiful, green place cared for by the cemetery. You usually pay upfront for the grave, while other funeral costs are handled separately. Natural burial is often similar in cost to traditional funerals but may not always be covered by insurance, so it’s good to check your policy. Fortunately it is getting more popular, whereby the chance of insurance becomes increasingly greater. There are simple rules like using biodegradable coffins or urns and no embalming, and the cemeteries will be helpfull offer a meaningful, gentle way to say goodbye while honoring nature.
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