Natural burial in maryland. Serenity Ridge is a natural burial cemetery. Natural Burials are...

Natural burial in maryland. Serenity Ridge is a natural burial cemetery. Natural Burials are low impact, use less energy, and consume fewer resources than traditional burials. Carewell Cremations supports sustainable practices. In the last decade, she says, interest in this type of memorial has grown as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional burial or cremation. As opposed to traditional burial practices, Serenity Ridge focuses on eco-friendly principles and emphasizes a return to nature. GBAM Nov 11, 2025 · Natural burial laws in Maryland bring new options for families who want eco‑friendly arrangements with clarity about regulation and process. Dedicated natural burial grounds and true green sections typically prohibit vaults and liners, while conventional cemeteries often require them. , and nearby states. To learn more about Morris Orchard and to be kept updated on their progress go . , including classification of burial grounds & guides about local natural burial services. It represents a method of honoring the departed with reverence while ensuring minimal ecological footprint. Certified by the Green Burial Council – the national organization setting the standards nationwide. In 2023, the Berg brothers -- Richard, David and Howard -- completed five years of working with the community and local civic leaders to open Serenity Ridge as the first cemetery dedicated to only natural burials in Maryland. What states allow natural burial or green burial? Aug 26, 2025 · Why More Maryland Families Are Choosing Natural Burial Across the state, from the rolling countryside of Harford County to the more densely populated suburbs, families are rethinking traditional funeral models. Use only biodegradable materials (no hardwood trees, copper, brass, steel or concrete), thus reducing carbon emissions. Meetings for site selections are made by appointment only, Monday – Friday. After licensing, Green Legacy says it will become Maryland’s first provider to specialize in Aquamation®, NOR and other funeral care options that are “radically compassionate. Natural burial conserves resources, reduces carbon emissions, protects workers’ health, and preserves or restores natural habitats. Please note that May 9, 2024 · The Frederick County Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a site plan for a “natural burial” cemetery, where remains could be interred without the use of embalming chemicals, concrete We spoke to KFF Health News reporter Paula Span and Montgomery County mortician Lily Buerkle to get the basics of green burials and why they're on the rise in the region. It is simply placed in a biodegrad-able cofin or shroud and interred without a concrete burial vault. Mount Olivet Cemetery Hybrid Cemetery 515 S. offers a variety of funeral services, from traditional funerals to competitively priced cremations, serving Baltimore, MD and the surrounding communities. Serenity Ridge, Windsor Mill Manor. –Maryland–Virginia) region. This guide walks you step-by-step through how natural burial works in Maryland, what Natural burial—also known as green burial—is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families across Maryland and the greater DMV (D. Apr 18, 2024 · Green or natural burials have been around for thousands of years, said Jennifer Downs, president of the Green Burial Association of Maryland. Frequently Asked Questions Where is Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum located? We are located in a country setting at 2406 Ridge Road, Windsor Mill, Maryland. com Reflection Park In progress Silver Spring MD 413-840-6775 www. Established in 2024 by Michael Judd & Jane Dennison to help bring life full circle in ways that honor our loved ones and the earth. Once defined by manicured lawns and symmetry, these spaces are evolving into natural sanctuaries—restorative environments anchored by native wildflowers. Our Natural Burial section - Wildflower Garden - is designed with the natural environment in mind. Lawmakers recognized the demand for sustainable funeral alternatives and the environmental impact of traditional methods. Certification by the Green Burial Council allows consumers to rest assured that the green or natural burial services that they are receiving have been thoroughly vetted against stringent and up-to-date standards – created and continuously reviewed by a team of environmentalists, scientists, lawyers, and representatives from the funeral industry. Can I use a funeral home for a natural burial? Many funeral directors are open to natural burial, but you might have to specifically ask. Both human composting and green burial encourage natural decomposition. HB 1060 - Natural Organic Reduction – Q&A A Natural Option for Maryland Families What does this legislation do? HB1060 amends current law by adding natural organic reduction (NOR) as another choice Maryland families would have after death, providing a sustainable alternative to cremation and burial. Nov 28, 2022 · A deer watches visitors walk through Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum, which is billed as Maryland’s first dedicated green burial cemetery. 662. We serve communities statewide, including Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick, Silver Spring, and the Eastern Shore, with an earth-friendly and meaningful alternative to conventional burial or cremation. S. Woodlawn Memorial Park is proud to offer a Natural Burial Section - being one of only two cemeteries in Maryland offering true Natural Burial. Serenity Ridge is the first 100% natural burial cemetery in the state of Maryland, open since January 2023. Jul 11, 2024 · Green or natural burials have been around for thousands of years, says Jennifer Downs, president of the Maryland Green Burial Association. Serenity Ridge natural burial cemetery is the first exclusively natural burial cemetery in Maryland. The company is planning to launch a full-service funeral home in Montgomery County that will earn Green Burial Council certification. Environmental concerns, simplicity, and a desire for more personal memorials have made green burial a meaningful alternative. Choose an eco-friendly farewell with Natural Burial Services in Northern VA. Jan 14, 2026 · Planning for a natural burial at Morris Orchard is made easier with our specially designed Planning Guide. You can find directions under our “Tours/Events” and “Contact” Pages. Find eco-friendly natural green burial cemeteries near you across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Historically, Jewish burial customs have favored wooden caskets and simple shrouds to facilitate a natural return of the body to the earth. In the United States, funeral and burial regulations are set by individual states, and some states have been slower to adopt green burial practices than others. Natural decomposition also respects the body Aug 22, 2023 · Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum — the state’s only exclusively green/natural burial cemetery — seeks to provide an alternative to conventional burials. If your family is searching “vault requirement green burial Maryland,” the fastest path is to ask the cemetery directly and request written confirmation. How does human composting compare to green burial? Human composting takes place in a closed, reusable vessel while green burial refers to the practice of burying an unembalmed body in a designated green burial cemetery with a simple casket or shroud. We also offer funeral pre-planning and carry a wide selection of caskets, vaults, urns and burial containers. The Garden of Remembrance (Gan Zikaron) Memorial Park in Clarksburg, Maryland – the region’s only nonprofit cemetery serving the entire Jewish Community – is the first Maryland cemetery certified as a Green Hybrid Burial Ground by the Green Burial Council (GBC). At least one Maryland funeral home is marketing itself as a green funeral provider. Known interchangeably as natural burial, this practice has been the customary way of laying the deceased to rest across many cultures throughout history. In it, you’ll learn about what you’ll need for visiting the natural burial ground, purchasing your preferred grave space, care and preparation before arrival, and what to expect and plan for during the funeral service. The following funeral homes have green burial Nov 1, 2024 · The land has been family-owned since 1965. At Sol Levinson, we consider ourselves to be experts in green burial. mountolivetcemeteryinc. It focuses on simplicity and environmental sustainability. This shift is more than aesthetic. A. Feb 12, 2025 · Choosing a green burial in Maryland provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional interment methods. Apr 28, 2025 · Across Maryland, an understated transformation is reshaping how we think about burial grounds. We’re dedicated to serving the community with compassion, dignity, and respect and we are completely non-denominational. In 2023, the Berg brothers — Richard, David and Howard — completed five years of working with the community and local civic leaders to open Serenity Ridge as the first cemetery dedicated to only natural burials in Maryland. Mar 2, 2026 · This list consists of cemeteries and burial grounds that have been reported to provide natural burial options, including conservation preserves, natural burial grounds, hybrid cemeteries that allow some space for burial without a vault, and even a handful of known municipal cemeteries that simply do not require vaults that do not intentionally identify themselves as green. This guide walks you step-by-step through how natural burial works in Maryland, what First, exclusively natural burial cemetery in Maryland. A natural burial reduces environmental impact while offering families a meaningful and personal way to say goodbye Feb 17, 2026 · Natural burial in Maryland & DMV explained: green cemetery options, burial laws, costs, containers, and how to plan a simple eco-friendly burial. She said this type of memorial has seen a surge in interest over the last decade as an environmentally friendly alternative to a conventional burial or cremation. Our historic nut orchard has become a sacred space where life and legacy comes full circle. Considering Jewish views on green burial, it's significant to recognize that biodegradable materials resonate with the belief in life's cycle, emphasizing the natural decomposition of the body. Mar 28, 2023 · So, the day after she died, her father, Chris Zinn, visited Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum in Baltimore County, a 45-minute drive from the family’s home in Abingdon, Md. The grave site is allowed to return to nature. Among the serene and picturesque options is Serenity Ridge Maryland, the first and only natural burial cemetery in Maryland. They are the ninth and tenth to join a growing list of states with human composting bills on the books, making the option increasingly accessible across the United States. 459 likes · 5 talking about this · 7 were here. For the Berg family, it all started with a 177-acre parcel of land in their family since the 1960s. 301-663-3416. Maryland families are embracing natural burial for a lasting, eco-friendly legacy that honors both loved ones and the environment. Opening in January 2023, this natural burial cemetery will promote ultimate recycling of nutrients from interred remains back to the earth. Burials here follow green burial principles: no embalming, no vaults, and only biodegradable caskets or shrouds. Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam is Maryland's source for Green Funeral options. Who We Are The Green Burial Association of Maryland promotes environmentally sound burial practices in the State of Maryland through public education, funeral industry outreach, legislative advocacy, and support for creating conservation burial grounds. What is green burial? Green (or natural) burial emphasizes simplicity and environmental sustainability. Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia also have “hybrid” cemeteries that offer green burials on a portion of their land, and the options are expanding. The first natural burial cemetery and arboretum in the state of Maryland. At Morris Orchard, you or your loved one may be returned to the earth without chemicals or precious materials Natural burial—also known as green burial—is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families across Maryland and the greater DMV (D. Michael Cordes, board member, and Oct 31, 2024 · The land has been family-owned since 1965. Green Burial Options in Maryland A natural burial (or green burial) is a simplified and natural way of returning the body to the earth. Plan a green burial, bury cremains, or attend an open house. $10. com United Hebrew Cemetery Hybrid Natural grave markers, such as flat river stones or native plantings, are used to mark the grave site. Green Burial Association of Maryland – Maintains an updated list of cemeteries and funeral homes offering green burial options in Maryland, Washington, D. It sits inside of a nature preserve and nationally registered arboretum. Jan 25, 2023 · The Chesapeake Bay portion of Virginia has two cemeteries offering natural burials, one of them certified, like Serenity Ridge, by the national Green Burial Council. The goal is complete decomposition of the body and its May 21, 2024 · Maryland and Delaware—have legalized human composting. Jul 27, 2021 · Green burial? Natural burial? Green cemeteries? What's the deal? Sometimes also referred to as natural burials, green burials or green funerals are burials that are intended to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Aug 8, 2023 · When it comes to exploring burial options in Maryland there are many different options based on preferences and beliefs. Please send us an email or call the Serenity Ridge line to schedule an appointment to choose a site. But, until very recently, Maryland did not have an all-green or natural cemetery devoted solely to conservation and green burials. Visitors must not Feb 14, 2025 · Maryland’s Legalization of Body Composting A Shift Toward Green Burial Laws Maryland became one of the few states to legalize natural organic reduction, joining Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and California. This approach honors the natural cycle of life and death, allowing individuals to rest in harmony with the earth. Nestled in the serene foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland, Morris Orchard is a historic nut orchard that has become a sacred space where life and legacy comes full circle with natural burial. Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum, situated in the heart of Windsor Mill, Maryland, is a tranquil oasis designed to commemorate lives while also respecting and preserving the environment. Aug 8, 2023 · Human Composting: Maryland bill could offer new burial alternative that transforms body into soil BALTIMORE - When's the last time you've taken a moment to think about how you'd like to say your By Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun - In the 1990s, Kim Holcomb battled for curbside recycling pickup as president of Owings Mills Green Action. The body is neither cremated nor prepared with chemicals such as embalming fluids. It is bordered with natural tree lines and split rail fencing, and planted with Maryland native flowers. Green Burial conserves resources, reduces carbon emissions, protects workers’ health, and preserves or restores natural habitats. Oct 5, 2023 · The Historical Perspective While the Maryland Natural Burial trend might seem like a new-age concept, in reality, it draws from ancient burial practices. Carewell is a Cremations and Natural Burial guides you to green burial grounds and sustainable funeral options. Return Home offers compassionate Maryland human composting services, providing an eco-friendly alternative to burial and cremation. She’s been interested in environmental issues ever since. Sagel Bloomfield, a trusted name in funeral services in Rockville, MD, and the greater DMV area, is proud to expand our Green Funeral Division by partnering with Recompose, a pioneering leader in human composting. Annapolis MD 21401 410-841-6255 All Natural Green Burial Bestgate Memorial Park is currently the only cemetery offering Green/Natural Burial in Maryland that is overseen and operated by a licensed funeral establishment. Michael Judd & Jane Dennison are creating a public natural burial ground at the Morris Orchard, the third green burial ground in Maryland. 1164 www. Berg, a gardener and Baltimore native with a deep appreciation for the natural world, read up on the idea of natural burial and even drove to New Jersey to visit the closest such cemetery. Jan 16, 2026 · Vault requirements are usually cemetery policy, not a statewide legal requirement. Earth offers Maryland families a gentle, low-impact return to nature through our human composting process. Green-natural burials, cemeteries & funeral homes. Here, everything that goes in the ground must be biodegradable—shrouds are cotton or linen, coffins are more sustainable poplar or pine, and may not have metal liners, nails, or Feb 6, 2024 · It sits on a portion of a 177-acre property that Berg’s father bought in 1965. There will be an open fire and roasted chestnuts. Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum was founded on the belief that our community needed a simpler more natural place of burial, open to everyone. In addition, there are a number of natural burial grounds in surrounding states. Honoring life, preserving nature. Feb 24, 2023 · A few conventional cemeteries in Maryland have green burial sections that eschew embalming, fancy caskets, and concrete vaults. reflectionpark. Nov 1, 2024 · Maryland's first natural burial cemetery, Serenity Ridge, provides a green and intimate burial option, allowing families to return loved ones to the earth without embalming or vaults. Nov 1, 2021 · There are few natural burial sites in Central Maryland, and there appear to be none that are exclusively reserved for natural burials, according to a list of U. May 1, 2023 · Memento Mori: Returning to the Land: Green Burial and Its Impact on the Future May 1, 2023 By Susan Cushing, International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association As we become more conscientious about reducing individual carbon footprints, the effort to preserve natural resources is now a commitment that is literally carried to the grave. 2. See Resources. . We have created a 'green' or natural burial cemetery as an alternative to conventional burial, while offering compassionate care to individuals and families as they grieve and process the transitions of life and death. The cemetery is open to visitors daily from 9:00AM-5:00PM. Natural burial pays special attention to returning the body back to the earth in a safe way that is simple and natural, allows for greater family interaction, and is a more reasonable cost compared to conventional burial. Before the modern era, most cultures around the world buried their deceased in a simple, unembellished manner, allowing the body to return to the Earth. Those who’ve done it describe it as a gentler way to send off a loved one. Nov 7, 2021 · BALTIMORE — A sprawling field in the Windsor Mill area of Maryland may soon become Baltimore County’s first natural burial ground, an increasingly popular option for loved ones to bury their Aug 15, 2024 · Learn important burial and cremation laws in Maryland, including how to get a death certificate and where to legally bury a body or scatter ashes. Nestled in the serene foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland, Morris Orchard is more than just a natural burial site—it's a sanctuary of peace, renewal, and connection. org Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery And Arboretum Windsor Mill, MD 21244 410-419-3012 www. ” Serenity Ridge is the ONLY 100% Natural Burial cemetery in Maryland. With growing awareness around environmental impacts and a desire to make sustainable choices, many families are turning to natural burial as a respectful and meaningful way to reduce their ecological footprint. News & Community Maryland’s First Natural Burial Cemetery Makes Death an Act of Conservation At Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum in Windsor Mill, "the idea is to care for the dead with minimal environmental impact. Market Street Frederick MD 21701 301. Natural burial, whether in a hybrid, natural, or conservation cemetery setting, creates opportunities for family-led and family-designed body care and vigil, ceremony, and healing participation by family and friends, often including processionals to the grave, lowering of the body, and closing the grave by shoveling soil. Green Burial Council – Provides information about environmentally sustainable death care and lists cemeteries and funeral homes across the United States. Explore a Green burial cemetery map worldwide to find certified natural burial sites and community locations. In current times, green burial is also rooted in the spirit of social and environmental change. serenityridgemd. Mar 20, 2025 · Plan an Eco-Friendly Funeral in Maryland with natural burial choices that reflect your values and protect the environment. Dec 20, 2022 · Green Burial - Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation Service, P. The natural burial cemetery reflects the same ecological values as the preserve: Bodies return naturally to the earth without chemicals or vaults, Burial areas are managed as meadows, forests, and conservation land Sep 20, 2025 · In 2025, families across Maryland weigh natural burial against aquamation, using new law, fresh data, and clear questions to guide decisions. And so, when she learned that Baltimore County would host Maryland’s first natural burial ground, Holcomb felt called to sign on for a plot. Our practices and policies follow the guidelines set forth by the Green Burial Council (GBC). Reflection Park is a nonprofit, multi-faith natural burial ground serving Maryland, DC & Virginia. For green burial: Serenity Ridge, located in Windsor Mill, provides immediate access to natural burial in a dedicated conservation cemetery. " By Christianna McCausland | February 2024 Oct 26, 2023 · Discover the guide that explores planning a natural burial and what you need to know to for a meaningful and eco-friendly experience. Apr 2, 2024 · Natural cemeteries are a trend that is growing in the state—the first such cemetery in Maryland was Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum in Baltimore County in January 2023—and Nov 29, 2022 · But Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum in Windsor Mill will be Maryland’s first cemetery dedicated to the practice, according to the Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight. The first such burial ground is Serenity Ridge, a 177 acre plot of land in Windsor Mill near Baltimore. Nov 1, 2024 · Father Patrick Carrion, director of Cemetery Management for the Baltimore Archdiocese noted that burying without embalming has been done for centuries. Jun 20, 2025 · Eco burials in Maryland honor nature and legacy by using natural materials and preserving native land without harmful chemicals 814 Bestgate Rd. Natural burial—also known as green burial—is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families across Maryland and the greater DMV (D. In 2023, the Berg brothers – Richard, David and Howard – completed five years of working with the community and local civic leaders to open Serenity Ridge as the first cemetery dedicated to only natural burials in Maryland. Use of biodegradable casket and/or shroud – a casket or shroud made of organic Dec 24, 2025 · Maryland’s new law creates legal permission, but infrastructure takes time to develop. green burial sites from New Get answers to common questions about natural burial, green cemeteries, costs, and what to expect at Reflection Park in Silver Spring, Maryland. The seven-part GBC certification assessment process reviewed all aspects of the Garden of Remembrance to evaluate our Jul 8, 2021 · Maryland Montgomery County’s first fully green cemetery makes its way through development process A green burial is a natural burial with no chemicals or non-biodegradable caskets. Oct 31, 2024 · Natural burial – or green burial, as it is sometimes called – is done without embalming, and uses either a biodegradable shroud only, made of cotton, linen, hemp, wool or other natural fibers, or a shroud and a biodegradable casket, made of bamboo or soft woods such as pine or bark. Natural grave markers, such as flat river stones, or native plantings are used to mark the grave site. Dec 18, 2025 · The Chesapeake Bay portion of Virginia has two cemeteries offering natural burials, one of them certified, like Serenity Ridge, by the National Green Burial Council. Apr 15, 2024 · Denise Koch visited the Baltimore County cemetery called, appropriately, "Serenity Ridge," a non-denominational, only exclusively natural burial cemetery in Maryland. Vaults and liners prolong the return of the body to the earth and therefore aren’t considered “green” 3. May 23, 2024 · Natural Organic Reduction and Aquamation will soon be possible in Maryland. Green funerals offer a profoundly organic means of returning to the earth. Discover green burial options and plan now. Home Page M aryland Green Burial is a Maryland based company set up to oversee the implementation and authentication of green or “natural” burials held in both urban and rural cemeteries in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. Serenity Ridge is a nature preserve, surrounded by another nature Natural burial pays special attention to returning the body back to the earth in a safe way that is simple and natural, allows for greater family interaction, and is a fraction of the cost of conventional burial. Green Burial is a growing national movement that supports environmentally sound ways of returning the body to the Earth in a natural, simple and dignified way. Aug 16, 2022 · B&L designed and implemented an environmental assessment of the first exclusively natural burial cemetery in Maryland, Serenity Ridge. A new water cremation and natural organic reduction law in October. Many people are looking for a simpler, more environmentally conscious, and often more meaningful alternative to conventional funerals. The cemetery is Green Burial Council certified and operates as Maryland’s first exclusively natural burial ground. May 30, 2025 · Talk and tour at the Morris Orchard, Frederick County’s first natural burial site. Absence of a vault/liner – Maryland law does not require the use of vaults/ or liners however they are commonly required by cemeteries to keep the earth above stable for landscaping purposes. Aug 18, 2025 · A new and greener kind of death care is coming to Maryland: water cremation. Flowers provided as part of interment process. C. Jan 29, 2024 · Maryland’s Only Natural Burial Cemetery Makes Death an Act of Conservation Internment at Serenity Ridge is like the dust-to-dust burials of the pre-Civil War era. As Maryland’s first dedicated natural burial ground, Serenity Ridge provides a sanctuary where families can lay loved ones to rest in harmony with the land. Green Burial upholds natural resource and land conservation, worker health protection, and reduction of pollutants and carbon emissions. Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia also have “hybrid” cemeteries that offer green burials on a portion of their land, and the options are expanding. This sustainable process, known as natural organic reduction (NOR), offers a gentle, earth-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation, transforming human remains into Directory of all green burial sites in the U. zqc ttjqheym hjamkdo evw nanwa rin kndtsrs jmyu gtasp dml