How Conservation Cemeteries and Memorial Forests Differ

If you represent a land trust considering an easement that provides for burial or scattering of cremated remains, you may be surprised to learn that conservation burial has been happening in the US since 1998, and that there are more than a dozen cemeteries operating on protected land, with double that in the works. You may also be surprised to learn that those cemeteries have carefully incorporated burial of cremated remains for years. Recent attention has highlighted the practice of scattering burying cremated remains on land that is not protected as a cemetery but which promises to be conserving land. Before making any decisions, take a look at the list below and download a full explanation of how these two models are different. (See What Land Trusts Need to Know About Conservation Burial for questions to ask, and learn more about the cremation process below.)  

Conservation cemeteries that bury cremated remains:

• Bury full bodies and cremated remains
• Are usually limited to one location or region
• Accept cremated remains for cemetery burial from $650 - $4,000
• Are licensed as a cemetery, providing perpetual protection and access for families and friends
• Partner with a land trust entity for monitoring and land management in perpetuity; follow conservation best practices
• Qualify for Green Burial Council certification at the highest level
• Are usually funded locally by donors and others with personal ties to the land
• Bury cremated remains at the appropriate depth while protecting root channels mechanically and/or using proven soil amendments that neutralize high pH levels that are toxic to plants and roots
• Usually allow memorialization through native plantings and installations according to the cemetery plan

Memorial forests:

• Bury/scatter cremated remains
• May operate as or similar to a syndicate
• May charge prices for cremation scattering that exceed those in local cemetery plots or in conservation burial grounds
• Are required to be a licensed cemetery if state law stipulates burying human remains for payment
• Deeds may not provide perpetual protection or legacy access for families
• May create their own conservation entity that is not actively exercising best conservation practices
• Do not qualify for Green Burial Council certification at any level unless organized as a cemetery
• May be primarily supported by uninvolved investors
• May bury or scatter on or under tree roots; may bury with soil amendments not proven to protect roots from the negative effects of cremated remains
• May imply or guarantee ownership of trees on the property, with or without a replacement plan

To download a full comparison chart with recommendations, go to
​Differences Between Conservation Burial and Memorial Forests

Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Partner

Is your land trust considering holding an easement the will allow cremated remains scattering or burial? There is a lot to consider, including the difference between conservation burial and memorial forest scattering of cremated remains. Before making the leap, we recommend learning more about the environmental repercussions of the cremation process (below) and considering the potential issues related to scattering cremated remains on conservation land. Take a look at and download the FULL LIST of potential questions you will need answers to below. We are always open to suggestions and questions that help everyone make informed decisions.

Organization and Transparency

• Is there a syndicate concern with the operating company?
• Are the company’s holdings transparent and easily accessible in public documents?
• Is it immediately clear where the property is located in all promotional materials?

​Terminology

• Is the language being used as defined by conservation and green burial experts? (See Definitions, developed in conjunction with the Green Burial Council)
• Is the language being used to describe goals in promotional materials compatible with land trust best practices?

​Financials

• What is the assessed value of the property at initial sale, and has it changed hands since purchase?
• Who will benefit financially from commercial sales and how will the proceeds be distributed?
• Are the prices for burial commensurate with licensed cemeteries in the area?​
• Are there any mortgages or liens on the property?

​Licensing, Certification, and Insurance

• Is the burial property eligible for certification through the Green Burial Council or other entity? Is there required licensing?
• Is the burial of human remains, including cremated remains, protected from litigation by the entity?

​Protections

• Is the property protected as a cemetery even if not required by law?
• Does the deed reflect an intention that the land will be protected in perpetuity? What other legacy protection instrument is being used?

Conservation Compatibility

• Does the deed or other instrument include clearly identified, conservation-worthy attributes?
• Where will cremated remains burial occur on the property?
• What impact might they have on water and soil quality?
• Have natural resources inventories, ecological impact assessments, and/or integrated pest management plans been conducted?
• Are other records readily available, such as proof of boundary line markers, elevation maps, zoning maps with flood zones and aquifers, wildlife and wetlands data checks, forestry plans detailing what the current woodlands are comprised of, survey maps, parking and signage plans, planting plans, etc.?
• What are plans for community involvement with the property, including recreational or educational activities?
• If rights to trees are being sold, what state departments are involved (Environmental Services, Agriculture, Plants, Forestry, etc.)? What does the tree replacement plan entail?​

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Burial Tech

• Does the company have a conservation plan and what does it say? Does it address burial density?
• What mechanical and procedural protections, including mitigating amendments, do they use for root and fragile forest floor plants?
• Are the remains going to be scattered over roots and flora or buried beneath or amidst existing root systems?
• Who will manage the burials?
• How will cremated remains burial impact the land trust’s management plan?
• How will visitation, trails, traffic, and signage be managed?
• Are experts and officials in state and local government included in their planning? Are field and extension service experts consulted?
• What data check tools and mapping have been utilized?
• How will soil disturbance and traffic impact be minimized?

To download these and MORE  QUESTIONS, go to ​Questions Land Trusts Need to Ask

Learn More About the Cremation Process and Its Environmental Impact

Summary of Cremation Science Factoids

• Cremation is an incomplete process, leaving 7 – 10+ lbs. of pulverized bone
• Crematory retorts each burn fossil fuels (usually natural gas) a minimum of 2-3 hours between 1700° F and 1900° F
• Mercury, nitrous oxide, and particulate matter is released into air and water despite improved scrubbers (Britain study 16%, Minnesota study 14%)
• Risk of radiopharmaceutical contamination to crematory operators (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2.26.19)
• Produces 139 lb. of CO₂  per cremation = 1.74B lbs. US emissions annually
• Cremation was responsible for releasing 25,000 metric tons of carbon in 2017
• Average release is 250 lbs. of carbon per person (as opposed to 25 lbs. for a green burial)

• Final product = calcium phosphate and sodium (200 – 2000x what plants can tolerate) with a pH of 11.8
• Scattering can cause phosphorus run-off into nearby waterways, creating algae bloom that kills fish, plants, and other water life; girdling trees with them damages surrounding plant communities
  

— Compiled by Lee Webster, New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy

Additional Resources for Cremated Remains Information
The Environmental Impact and Potential Human Health Effects of Cremation
Bob Jenkins of Let Your Love Grow Green Burial Council Blog post April 2019 
Disposition Statistics Regarding Cremation 

Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man."
​— Stewart Udall