Getting Started

We hear from a lot of green burial enthusiasts eager to make green burial available near them, but they don't know where to begin. It is virtually impossible to create a blueprint that will suit every region, type of cemetery, and budget, but we have done our best to cover some of the basic issues most will encounter in our white papers.
Opening, Closing, and Maintaining a Green Cemetery
Topics covered include:
  • Best safety practices
  • Grave preparation
  • Burial procedures
  • Opening and closing techniques​
  • Markers and plant material choice
  • Invasive species and nuisance management
  • Mowing and grazing best practices
  • Visitation management
Start-Up Tips for Green Burial Cemetery Operators
Topics covered include:
  • Knowing the Law
  • Forming Your Plan
  • Developing a Financial Strategy
  • Determining Your Governance Structure
  • Knowing the Players
  • Acquiring the Right Property
  • Filing the Application
  • Application Follow-Up Process

Find Professional Assistance

LANDMATTERS Consulting
Heidi Hannapel and Jeff Masten
​Durham, NC
[email protected]
(919) 451-9236
[email protected]
(919) 621-4661

Heidi and Jeff have more than 30 years of experience working with land trusts and conservation organizations. They formed their consulting firm Landmatters in 2016 to support conservation in the Triangle, and continue their research on the value of natural and conservation burial grounds. In 2022, they launched Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in Cedar Grove, North Carolina. They are currently advisors to land trusts developing conservation burial projects. They welcome visits to Bluestem, and when available, can provide a tour of their project. 

Specializing in land trust conservation burial projects
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Memorial Ecosystems Consulting
Billy Campbell
Kimberley Campbell
​390 Cobb Bridge Road
Westminster, SC 29693
[email protected]
​​(864) 647-7798

Billy and Kimberley brought the concept of conservation burial to the US in 1997 and have continued to grow the movement for over 20 years. They have generously given their time and unique expertise to encourage new cemeteries that further land protection and restoration.
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Specializing in conservation burial cemetery start-ups
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​Last Respects Consulting
​Holly Blue Hawkins
PO Box 2094
Aptos, CA 95001
[email protected]
(831) 588-3040

Concept design, project implementation and site management; retired estate planning paralegal, former member Board of Trustees of Funeral Consumers Alliance of California; co-founder Natural Deathcare Initiative; former Gamliel Institute faculty, current Ben Zakkai Institute cofounder and faculty, 20+ years Jewish Burial Society (inherently “green” tradition), stewardship of 2 historic cemeteries; available for phone consultation, Zoom conferencing and on-site.
Kuehne Cemetery Consulting
Stephen Kuehne
Orlando, FL
[email protected]
(443) 440-7693

With more than ten years of hands-on funerary practice and cemetery operating experience, Steve has developed an informed and compassionate approach to creating sustainable natural cemeteries that are accessible by the public and environmentally responsible. Whether starting from scratch or seeking changes in existing cemetery spaces, Steve offers an evaluation and accountability process and implementation plan that respects the history along with the goals of your cemetery for future success.

Specializing in natural cemetery builds and in hybrid conversions and expansions

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Cemetery Management Solutions
Jeff Hodes, CCE
​2630 Meadow Hall
Herndon, VA 20171
[email protected]
​Office (703) 787-6715 Mobile ( 703) 577-1735

Jeff has been active in the cemetery industry since 1979, including the Green Burial Council. He is considered to be in the forefront as one of the leaders in developing green burial properties. He is eager to help aspiring green cemeterians ask the right questions.

Specializing in green burial cemetery startups and management
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Disclaimer: This directory is provided as a public service only. Inclusion on this webpage does not constitute endorsement or indicate a financial exchange of any kind between the Green Burial Council and those businesses listed. Any business conducted between a member of the public and a listed consultant is purely between the parties involved

Conservation Burial Self-Assessment

While the GBC encourages green burial at all levels, conservation burial grounds are especially in need. They are also more complex since they entail burial in a cemetery plus commitment to conservation land trust best practices and principles. Anyone considering developing a conservation level burial ground is urged to use the following questions to assess whether this is a project they are prepared to commit to for the long term. Thanks to conservation burial consultants Heidi Hannapel and Jeff Masten of LANDMATTERS for their help in developing these insightful questions.
PictureHeartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, Trinity, FL
​Project 
1. Have you researched your state’s Cemetery law?
2. Do you have a green burial model in mind? 
3. Who is leading the project? (Hello, Champion?) 
4. What is your background? 
5. Do you have land available?
6. Who would run the cemetery?

General 
1. What brings you to green burial?
2. What attracts you to the idea?
3. Have you visited any green burial sites?
4. Are you aware of the distinction between green burial and conservation burial?
 
Personal Goals
1. What are your goals for the project?
2. What resources are you bringing?
3. What influence do you have?
4. What are your limitations, barriers, obstacles? 
5. Is timing an issue?

Relationship with Land Trust
1. Do you have relationships within the conservation community? 
2. Do you have with the land trust?
3. Is this your first contact with the land trust or are you helping their board develop a cemetery committee?
4. Are you proposing a project on land the land trust already owns?
5. Are you proposing a project on new land the land trust must acquire?
6. Do you have other community partners identified?