Certification Process: Becoming a Recognized Green Burial Provider and Differentiating Your Funeral Home
Green burial market growing 10-15% annually. Certification establishes credibility, attracts eco-conscious families, and commands 15-25% premium pricing. Learn the steps to certify and market your green services.
Key Takeaways
• Green burial market: 2-3% of arrangements nationally, growing 10-15% annually• Certified providers command 15-25% premium vs standard burial pricing• Three main certification bodies: Green Burial Council, local conservation land trusts, state regulations• Certification requires burial site assessment, staff training, and documented protocols
The Green Burial Market Opportunity (And Why Certification Matters)
Green burial is currently 2-3% of funeral arrangements nationally, but it's growing 10-15% annually. In progressive markets (California, Colorado, New England), green burial captures 5-15% of arrangements. This is the fastest-growing segment in the funeral profession.
Here's the critical point: Certification signals credibility to eco-conscious families—and they pay for it. Research from the Green Burial Council shows that families choosing green burial prioritize environmental impact over cost. Certified providers command 15-25% premium pricing compared to non-certified competitors.
Additionally, certification helps you navigate complex state regulations. Green burial has different legal requirements than traditional burial (no vaults, specific site requirements, etc.). Certification ensures you're compliant and protected from regulatory risk.
The Financial Case for Certification
Is certification worth the investment? Consider the math:
Scenario: 30 funerals/month, targeting 5% green burial adoption rate
Without Certification:
• No green option offered
• 5% of families go to certified competitors
• Lost revenue: 1.5 green burials/month × $1,100 avg × $440 profit = $660/month = $7,920/year
With Certification (Year 1):
• Certification cost: $1,500 (one-time) + $200 annual maintenance
• 5% adoption = 1.5 green burials/month
• Profit per green burial: $1,100 retail, $450 cost = $650 profit
• Monthly green burial profit: $975
• Annual green burial revenue: $11,700 (at 5% adoption)
• Annual profit: $11,700 - $1,500 cert = $10,200 net Year 1
ROI: $10,200 / $1,500 = 680% return in Year 1
Note: This assumes you can achieve 5% adoption. In progressive markets, adoption rates reach 10-15%.
The Three Certification Paths
Path 1: Green Burial Council Certification (National, Most Recognized)
Cost: $750-$1,500 application fee + $200-$400 annual membership
Timeline: 3-6 months from application to approval
What you get: Green Burial Council certification seal, listing in GBC provider directory, national marketing credibility, compliance assurance
Requirements: Site assessment, environmental documentation, staff training, no-embalming policy, family disclosure forms, annual reporting
Marketing value: Highest. GBC is nationally recognized. Families specifically search "GBC certified funeral homes" in your area.
Who should pursue: Funeral homes in markets with 5%+ green burial demand (CA, CO, NY, OR, NC, MD, DC area)
Path 2: Conservation Land Trust Partnership (Local, Community-Focused)
Cost: $0-$500 partnership fee (often waived for nonprofits joining their mission)
Timeline: 1-3 months negotiation and site assessment
What you get: Access to land trust-managed green burial sites, community credibility, environmentalist positioning
Requirements: Shared burial land (land trust manages), conservation agreement, community involvement, compliance with land trust standards
Marketing value: High locally. Positions you as environmental partner. Often generates local media coverage.
Who should pursue: Funeral homes in areas with strong land trust presence (rural/suburban areas with conservation movements)
Path 3: State Licensing & Compliance Only (Minimum Baseline)
Cost: Included in existing funeral home licensing ($0 additional)
Timeline: Already part of state regulations
What you get: Legal permission to offer green burial, state compliance, regulatory protection
Requirements: Meet state environmental/burial standards, documentation, compliance with FTC Funeral Rule
Marketing value: Minimal. Doesn't differentiate you—any funeral home can claim "green burial available"
Who should pursue: Funeral homes in early-stage green burial markets, or as starting point before pursuing GBC certification
Green Burial Council Certification: Complete Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Qualification Assessment (Week 1)
Before investing time/money, verify you meet GBC requirements. Contact GBC directly (greenburialcouncil.org) and discuss your situation. Key requirements:
• You have or can access a burial site (or partnering with one)
• The site meets environmental standards (soil, groundwater, etc.)
• Your state allows green burial (verify with your state funeral board)
• You're willing to implement no-embalming and biodegradable-only policies for green burials
Step 2: Site Evaluation (Weeks 2-4)
Your responsibility: Gather documentation on your proposed burial site. You'll need:
• Site location (GPS coordinates)
• Land survey (showing exact acreage, boundaries)
• Soil composition report (contact your local agricultural extension office—often $50-$200)
• Groundwater depth assessment (from geological survey or well records)
• Native vegetation inventory (flora already growing on site)
• Site photos and maps
• Land ownership documentation (deed or lease agreement)
Cost of documentation: $300-$800 depending on what you already have and what requires professional assessment.
Step 3: Operational Documentation Package (Weeks 5-8)
GBC requires detailed operational documentation:
1. Burial Protocol Documentation - How you'll handle green burials. Include:
• No-embalming policy (written)
• Biodegradable casket/shroud requirements (what materials are acceptable)
• Burial site preparation (how graves are dug, depths, spacing)
• Grave marking system (native plantings, small stones, GPS coordinates)
• Environmental monitoring plan (ongoing site assessment)
2. Staff Training Plan - How staff will learn and document green burial practices:
• Training curriculum (topics, frequency, documentation)
• Staff roster with training completion dates
• Ongoing continuing education plan
3. Family Disclosure Forms - Standard forms you'll give families explaining:
• What green burial means
• Environmental benefits
• Pricing vs traditional burial
• State regulations and your commitments
4. Record-Keeping System - How you'll track each green burial:
• Deceased name, date of burial
• Casket/shroud type and supplier
• Site location (GPS coordinates)
• Family contact info
Step 4: GBC Application Submission (Week 9)
Submit to GBC with:
• Completed application form
• All documentation from Steps 2-3
• $750-$1,500 application fee (varies by state/complexity)
• Director authorization letter
GBC will review for completeness. If anything is missing, they'll request clarification (adds 2-4 weeks to timeline).
Step 5: Site Inspection & Interview (Weeks 10-18)
GBC sends an inspector to your location to:
• Walk the burial site with you
• Verify site conditions match documentation
• Interview director/staff on green burial practices
• Review family disclosure process
• Assess record-keeping system
• Take photos and soil samples (if needed)
Inspection typically takes 4-8 hours. Inspector may request minor modifications to site preparation, record-keeping, or protocols.
Step 6: Approval & Certification (Week 19)
If all requirements met, GBC issues certification. You receive:
• Official GBC certification seal (for marketing)
• Listing in GBC provider directory
• Permission to use GBC branding on website/materials
• Annual renewal requirements ($200-$400/year)
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
State-by-State Requirements (Key Differences)
Green burial regulations vary significantly by state. Before pursuing certification, verify your state's requirements:
States with Clear Green Burial Laws: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Washington
States with Ambiguous/Minimal Laws: Requires legal review; check with your state funeral board and cemetery board
Key state regulations to verify:
• Is green burial permitted in your state?
• What are vault/casket requirements (can they use shrouds/cardboard)?
• Are there setback requirements (distance from groundwater, property lines)?
• What record-keeping/documentation is required?
• Are there licensing/permitting fees?
FTC Funeral Rule Compliance for Green Burial
The FTC Funeral Rule applies to green burial the same as traditional burial. You must:
• Provide itemized price list showing green burial casket options
• Allow families to bring outside caskets/shrouds
• Disclose all costs upfront (no hidden fees)
• Allow families to decline unwanted services (no forced vault, embalming, etc. for green burials)
Marketing Your Green Burial Certification
Pre-Launch Marketing (Weeks before certification approval)
Start building awareness before official launch:
• Update website: Add green burial information page explaining your process, environmental benefits, pricing
• Local partnerships: Contact local environmental groups, land trusts, green businesses
• Email list: Inform past customers about upcoming green burial option
• Staff training: Ensure team can talk confidently about green burial
Launch Marketing (Week certification received)
☐ Add GBC logo to website prominently
☐ Submit press release to local media
☐ Contact local environmental groups (offer to speak at events)
☐ Create "green burial" landing page on website with full information
☐ Update Google Business Profile (list green burial services)
☐ Social media announcement (LinkedIn, Facebook)
☐ Email announcement to email list
☐ Contact prearrangement specialists, geriatric care managers (referral sources)
Ongoing Marketing
• Blog content: Green burial education posts on your website
• Media relations: Offer to be quoted as green burial expert for environmental stories
• Community events: Booth at farmers markets, environmental fairs
• Email campaigns: Educational series on green burial benefits
• Internal marketing: Train all staff to mention green burial option during arrangements
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Pursuing Certification Without Market Demand
If your market has <2% green burial interest, certification may not ROI quickly. Research your market first: Survey past customers, research local demographics, contact regional GBC providers about their experience.
Mistake 2: Insufficient Site Preparation Documentation
GBC rejects applications due to incomplete site documentation. Invest in professional soil/groundwater assessment upfront—it's worth the $300-800 to ensure approval on first submission.
Mistake 3: Poor Staff Training
Staff who can't confidently explain green burial to families won't sell it. Invest in training and ongoing education. Consider bringing in GBC trainers for workshops.
Mistake 4: Not Differentiating from Competitors
After certification, actively market it. If you're passive, competitors' certification may make them top choice. Use certification as core marketing differentiator.
Timeline & Budget Summary
Green Burial Council Certification Timeline: 4-6 months
Month 1: Qualification assessment + site documentation gathering
Month 2-3: Operational documentation preparation
Month 4: GBC application submission
Month 5-6: Site inspection and approval
Total Investment: $2,000-$3,500
• Soil/groundwater assessment: $300-$800
• GBC application fee: $750-$1,500
• Staff training: $300-$800
• Documentation preparation (internal labor): included
• Annual renewal: $200-$400/year
Expected ROI: 200-500% in first year (assuming 5-10% market adoption)
Integration with Your Green Burial Strategy
Certification is one pillar of green burial success. For complete strategy, see: Green Casket Supply Chain Management for sourcing products, and Green Burial Financial Model for pricing strategy.
Certification Decision Checklist
Before pursuing certification, confirm:
☐ Your state permits green burial (verified with funeral board)
☐ You have access to suitable burial site (or partnership arranged)
☐ Your market has 3%+ green burial interest (research demographics)
☐ You're willing to implement no-embalming policy for green burials
☐ You have budget for site assessment ($300-$800)
☐ You can commit to GBC application process (4-6 months)
☐ Your team is committed to green burial training
☐ You have marketing plan for promoting certification