What is Green Burial?

• A. Embalming is required for all burials.
• B. The burial of an unembalmed body in a biodegradable shroud or casket without vaults/grave liners.
• C. Use of a concrete vault is mandatory.
• D. Cremation is required before burial.

Answer: (B)

Green burial emphasizes returning the body to the earth with minimal environmental impact. The way this is typically done is by burying an unembalmed body in a biodegradable shroud or casket and avoiding vaults or grave liners. This approach eliminates the use of embalming chemicals and reduces materials like metal and concrete, aligning the burial with natural decomposition.

The other options don’t fit because they either require embalming, mandate using a concrete vault, or require cremation before burial—each of which adds materials or processes that green burial aims to avoid.