Who We Are

Our Mission

As the recognized authority on green burial, we educate on, and advocate for natural burial and sustainable deathcare  

Our Vision

A world where we leave the planet better than we found it

Our Values

  • Sustainability
    We prioritize long-term responsibility for the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants
  • Leadership
    We lead environmental stewardship in the funeral profession by developing best practices and public education
  • Integrity
    We operate with transparency, accountability, and respect
  • Credibility
    We ensure our certification standards, educational programming, and public resources are based on the latest scientific research
  • Accessibility
    We respect all funeral traditions and believe everyone deserves access to green burial regardless of religion, race, color, nationality, gender, sex, sexual orientation, economics, or disability

What We Do

Certification & Directory

We offer certification programs for burial funeral homes, cemeteries, burial products, and body care products. Our certification recognizes providers and products committed to sustainable practices in the funeral industry and the preservation of land through environmentally responsible burial. You can learn more on our [What Is Green Burial?] and our GBC Certification pages.

Green Burial Resources

If you're exploring green burial for yourself or working to offer more sustainable options professionally, our resources can help you make informed, eco-conscious decisions. Discover handouts, checklists, and tips for ensuring burials are truly green with the pre-planning tools found on our Plan a Green Burial page. Visit our Provider Resources page for cemetery start-up guidance, grave maintenance practices, and more.

Educational Webinars

Whether you're curious about green burials and want help navigating the mixed messages in the media, or you're an industry professional seeking to offer more sustainable options, our monthly webinars are here to support you. These free educational sessions feature insights from experts in green burial and related fields. Visit our Events page to learn about upcoming webinars, and check out past sessions on our YouTube channel.

Media & Academic Consulting

We aim to be the leading authority on green burial, dedicated to defining and upholding environmentally sound, evidence-based end-of-life practices. In a landscape filled with greenwashing and misconceptions, the Green Burial Council helps media outlets, researchers, and the public distinguish truly sustainable options from misleading claims—promoting clarity, credibility, and integrity. See where we’re quoted and cited on our News and Research pages.