Green Burial at Ascend
Simple, natural and close to the earth. Here is what green burial means at Ascend, and what our Rules ask of every family.
Full-body burial
Embalming is not required
Ascend follows the Green Burial Council's standards for natural burial. Embalming is not needed, and refrigeration or dry ice is the preferred way to care for your loved one until the burial.
Sometimes embalming is necessary, such as when the law or an airline requires it, or when a service is delayed. In that case, only a nontoxic embalming product approved by the Green Burial Council may be used, and your funeral director will confirm the product to us in writing. Remains embalmed with any other product cannot be accepted.
Shrouds and caskets
Every shroud, casket and lowering board must be approved by us ahead of time. It must be made mostly of untreated, biodegradable, non-toxic material, such as:
- unfinished wood
- wicker
- cardboard
- natural fiber shrouds of cotton, wool or linen
Not allowed: metal, plastic, fiberglass, composite materials, toxic finishes, synthetic liners and non-biodegradable coatings. Local and regional materials are encouraged.
No vaults or grave liners
Nothing is placed between the body and the soil. Concrete, plastic and fiberglass vaults and liners are not allowed.
Clothing and keepsakes
Your loved one may be dressed in natural fabric such as cotton, wool, silk or linen. Please avoid synthetic fabric and thread, elastic, plastic, foam, treated leather, treated shoes, metal parts and non-biodegradable fasteners, unless we approve them in writing.
Letters, photos, tokens and other keepsakes placed with your loved one must be fully biodegradable and approved ahead of time.
Medical devices
Pacemakers and other battery-powered, pressurized or hazardous devices must be removed before burial. Your funeral director will confirm this to us.
Your burial space
A standard adult space is 10 feet by 10 feet. It can hold one full-body burial, or one full-body burial and one burial of cremated remains, or two burials of cremated remains. Ascend sets the location, spacing, orientation and depth of every grave.
Graves are generally 3 to 3.5 feet deep, with at least 24 inches of soil above the body. Before any space is offered, a qualified soil scientist checks the soil there, and we never place a burial where there is standing water or bedrock too close to the surface.
Taking part in the burial
Our staff prepare every grave. For safety, families do not dig full-body graves. We offer every family the chance to take part: carrying, lowering, filling the grave by hand, or a closing ceremony, with our staff alongside you. Tell us what matters to you and we will plan it together.
Scheduling
We need at least 72 hours' notice. Weather, frozen or flooded ground, or a planned burn on the land can mean moving a date. We will try hard to meet religious timing needs, though we cannot promise it every time.
Cremated remains
Cremated remains are welcome at Ascend. You may choose:
- Burial in a biodegradable urn or directly in the soil, in an approved location. A cremation burial can share a standard space with a full-body burial or a second cremation burial.
- Scattering only in areas we set aside for it, in the way we approve.
Cremated remains are spread out so they do not build up in one spot, and we may mix them with soil or compost first. Please do not leave bags, boxes, plastic sleeves, tags or temporary containers on the grounds. We may ask for paperwork showing who the person was and who is authorizing the burial or scattering.
Markers and memorials
A marker is optional. Every grave is recorded in our official cemetery records with GPS location, so you can always find it, with or without a stone.
If you would like a marker, it must:
- be approved by Ascend before it is placed
- be natural stone, preferably from this region, or another approved natural material
- lie flat with the ground, rising no more than 3 inches
- be no larger than 216 square inches on top, for example 12 by 18 inches
Engraving is welcome with approval. Polished finishes, artificial color, photo inserts, metal, and glass are not allowed.
Flowers, plantings and decorations
Fresh, natural flowers are fine to bring. To protect the land and the people who care for it, please do not leave artificial flowers, plastic, glass, balloons, flags, lights (including solar lights), wind chimes, shepherd's hooks, benches, fencing, borders, mulch, gravel or stones. Items like these may be removed. With our written approval, flags, lights, wind chimes, hooks and benches may be used during a service, as long as they are taken away when it ends.
Only native plantings we approve may be added. Over time, graves will blend into the natural landscape and will not stay set apart with lawn or garden plants.
Read the complete Rules and Regulations.