How to Be Buried as a Tree

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you’re an environmentally conscious person, you may have heard of tree pod burials, or natural burials. This eco-friendly alternative to a traditional burial not only saves you money, but it’s great for the environment as well. If you’d like to learn more about being buried as a tree, read through this article for everything you’ll need to know, including locations, cost, and legality.

Things You Should Know

  • With tree burials, a tree is planted alongside a buried pod full of your remains. Over time, the pod breaks down and provides nutrients for the tree to grow.
  • A tree pod usually costs between $400 and $500, not including any funeral services.
  • Tree burials are legal in the USA, and most states even allow you to have your burial take place on private property.
Section 1 of 5:

What is a tree pod burial?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Rather than a casket, the human body goes into a biodegradable pod that will break down over time. The pod is buried in the ground, and a tree is planted on top of it. As the tree grows, the person’s remains will provide nutrients for the tree. [1]
    • In a tree pod burial, the human remains can be whole, or they can be cremated.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

How much does a tree pod burial cost?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Depending on the company you go through and what you end up purchasing, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars on the burial pod alone. Keep in mind that this cost doesn’t include any additional funeral services or the burial process itself. [2]
    • In general, a full funeral with a tree burial pod costs around $1,000 to $2,000.
    • Biodegradable urns are usually cheaper; those typically range from $65 to $300.
Section 3 of 5:

Where can I be buried as a tree?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Home burials are legal in the majority of the United States, with the exception of Washington, California, and Indiana. In some states, you must work with a funeral director to have a home burial, but in others, you can simply request a home burial. [3]
  2. While traditionally cemeteries only focused on funeral services with caskets and a headstone, more and more are opting for natural or biodegradable options. If you have a cemetery nearby, reach out to the director and ask if they do any natural burial services. [4]
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Companies that Provide Tree Pod Burials

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Living Urn sells biodegradable urns that you can purchase with or without a tree. Shaped like a large pot, the urns get buried directly into the ground, and you can either plant your own local tree or continue growing the one that came with your urn.
  2. Capsula Mundi is one of the most popular tree pod burial companies. Currently, they offer biodegradable urns that you can bury cremated remains in and then plant a tree on top of. They hope to get their egg-shaped biodegradable pods that hold whole human remains on the market soon.
    3. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Are tree pod burials legal?

PDF download Download Article
  1. However, it’s worth looking into your local zoning laws to figure out the specifics of a home burial. Laws tend to vary from state to state, and a funeral director can give you the specifics on your local laws. [5]

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is the actual body in the pod or ashes?
    Blokboy 780
    Community Answer
    The actual body is in a pod buried underneath the tree. The body may be ashes if it is cremated prior to the burial.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 11
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Does it Mean to Dream About a Funeral?
      Why Are Some Caskets Only Half Open?
      What Should Men Wear to a Funeral?
      How to
      Dress For a Funeral
      How to
      Not Cry at a Funeral
      Are Caskets and Coffins the Same Thing? (Plus, How to Pick One)
      How to
      Sell a Burial Plot
      How to
      Have an Islamic Funeral
      What to Do at a Jewish Funeral for Non-Jews (Gentiles)
      How to
      Create a Funeral Order of Service
      How to
      Give a Speech at a Funeral
      How to
      Bring an Urn or Ashes on a Plane
      How to
      Throw Ashes in the Ocean
      How to
      Act at a Funeral
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://choicemutual.com/blog/tree-pod-burial/
      2. ↑ https://www.lhlic.com/consumer-resources/green-burial/
      3. ↑ https://www.romemonuments.com/home-burials
      4. ↑ https://www.naturalburialcompany.com/where-to-go/
      5. ↑ https://www.romemonuments.com/home-burials

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 58,768 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        May 16, 2023

        "My sister and I are elderly, 68 and 72 years old. We do not want to burden our sons to pay for expensive funerals. ..." more
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement