Certification
The Green Pet-Burial Society supports the certification program of the Green Burial Council (GBC). The GBC previously only certified human cemeteries, but with the advent of the Green Pet-Burial Society, now certifies pet cemeteries and providers (e.g., caskets, monuments, crematoria) on established ecological standards:
The Green Burial Council is an independent … nonprofit organization working to encourage environmentally sustainable deathcare and the use of burial as a new means of protecting natural areas … [and] has become the standard-bearer in this nascent field and the conduit for conservation.
Green Burial Options
The Pet Cemetery list below corresponds to the four categories of green burials (see the bottom of ‘About‘ webpage). We also provide a list of green Family Cemeteries that allow pet remains to be buried in family plots. Cemeteries are listed in alphabetical order.
Note: The vision, philosophy and policies of each cemetery are unique. Being listed here is not an endorsement by the Green Pet-Burial Society. If a cemetery does not reflect your sensibilities, try another; it is best to shop around.
Providers: Contact us if your facility is not listed below. To be certified for providing green burials, contact the Green Burial Council directly.
Pet Cemeteries
Only cemeteries with an asterisk “*” have been certified by the Green Burial Council.
Hybrid Pet Cemeteries
Pet cemeteries with designated natural burial sections, i.e., pets are interred in biodegradable caskets (all wood, paper, or wicker – no metal nails or toxic glues) and/or biodegradable shrouds.
- Deceased Pet Care – Atlanta, GA
Low-Impact Pet Cemeteries
Burial only use eco-friendly containers or shrouds in a park-like setting. The grounds follow a program of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Above the surface, these cemeteries may appear to like traditional cemeteries or memorial parks.
- Angels Rest, Kanab UT – a project of Best Friends Animal Society; caskets are not used.
Natural Pet-Burial Grounds
Pet cemeteries that inter pets in biodegradable caskets and/or shrouds, follow IPM standars, but don’t have any policies to keep their grounds as a preserve.
(none listed at this time)
Conservation Pet Burial Ground/Wildlife Sanctuary
Pet cemeteries that include above and also function as nature preserves/wildlife sanctuaries.
- *Greenhaven Preserve, Eastover, SC – in addition to family plots, they have a separate pet-burial section.
Family Cemeteries
Green cemeteries that allow pets’ remains to be buried in family plots.
- *Cedar Brook Burial Ground, Limington, ME - they operate a tree farm. A tree is planted on each grave, to be harvested in 30-40 years.
- Dust to Dust, Swansea, SC
- *Greenhaven Preserve, Eastover, SC
- *Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve, Glendale, FL
- *Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, Gainesville, FL
- *Ramsey Creek Preserve, Westminster, SC
- *Steelmantown Cemetery, Woodbine, NJ
updated December 2, 2011
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