12/03/2026
What Is A Green Funeral?
The environment and climate crisis are becoming increasingly important issues across the world, and many people are now choosing to live more sustainably. This shift in awareness has also influenced how families approach funeral planning, with growing interest in green funerals and eco-friendly burial options.
A green funeral, sometimes referred to as a natural burial or eco-friendly funeral, focuses on reducing the environmental impact of a traditional funeral while still providing a respectful and meaningful farewell.
In this guide, we explain what a green funeral is, how green burials work in Queensland, and what options are available for families in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
What Is a Green Funeral?
A green funeral is a type of funeral service designed to minimise environmental impact. This is usually achieved by using natural materials, avoiding harmful chemicals, and choosing burial locations that protect and preserve natural landscapes.
Green funerals may include:
Natural burials without embalming
Biodegradable coffins or shrouds
Burial in environmentally protected areas
Reduced use of non-sustainable materials
Environmentally conscious transport and service choices
For many families, choosing a green burial in Brisbane or Queensland allows them to honour the values their loved one lived by.
Why Families Choose Green Burials
Many people who care deeply about the environment prefer a funeral that reflects their commitment to sustainability.
A natural burial may appeal to someone who:
Lived an environmentally conscious lifestyle
Wanted to minimise their impact on the planet
Preferred a simple and natural farewell
Loved nature or outdoor spaces
Green burials are often associated with peaceful natural settings such as woodland areas, meadows or environmentally protected burial grounds.
These locations provide a calm and meaningful environment for families to gather and celebrate the life of their loved one.
However, it is important to note that green burial locations in Queensland are still limited, and availability may vary depending on local cemetery regulations.
Green Funeral Options in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
The availability of eco-friendly funeral options will depend on the funeral provider and the cemetery or burial ground selected.
Some of the most common options for green funerals in Queensland include:
Natural Burial in a Cemetery
Some cemeteries offer environmentally conscious burial sections where biodegradable materials and natural burial practices are encouraged.
Woodland or Natural Burial Grounds
These locations are designed specifically for environmentally friendly burials, where the natural landscape is protected and preserved.
Home or Private Land Burials
In some circumstances, burials may be permitted on private land, although approval from the local council and government authorities is required.
Families can also incorporate sustainability into many aspects of the funeral, including:
Choosing biodegradable coffins or caskets
Reducing the use of chemicals
Using eco-friendly floral arrangements
Selecting environmentally conscious transport options
At Academy Funerals, we help families across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast explore these options and create a service that respects both their loved one and the environment.
How to Arrange an Eco-Friendly Funeral
There is no strict definition of what makes a funeral “green” or “eco-friendly.” Instead, it depends on the choices made throughout the funeral planning process.
When arranging a green funeral, families usually work closely with a funeral director experienced in environmentally conscious funeral services.
The process typically involves:
Discussing environmentally friendly options with your funeral director
Choosing a suitable burial location or cemetery
Selecting biodegradable materials for coffins or shrouds
Avoiding embalming chemicals where possible
Following the guidelines of the chosen burial ground
Natural burial grounds often have specific environmental protection rules. These guidelines are designed to preserve the natural environment and maintain the conservation value of the land.
What Happens in a Natural or Green Burial?
Green burials often include several environmentally focused practices.
These may include:
No embalming, as embalming chemicals are harmful to the environment
Use of biodegradable coffins made from materials such as wicker, bamboo, cardboard or untreated timber
Burial using a natural fibre shroud instead of a coffin
Restrictions on permanent headstones or large monuments
Temporary wooden grave markers or tree planting as memorials
Some burial grounds may provide GPS coordinates instead of a headstone
For example, a burial location may be recorded using coordinates such as:
Latitude: –27.317760
Longitude: 153.034590
This allows families to locate the burial site without installing permanent memorial structures that may impact the natural environment.
Environmental Impact of Funerals
While green funerals aim to reduce environmental impact, it is important to understand that all funerals still require some resources.
Environmental impact may include:
Energy used to manufacture funeral equipment
Fuel used for transportation vehicles
Machinery required to dig and refill graves
Maintenance of burial grounds
Travel by family and friends attending the funeral
Green funeral choices aim to reduce these impacts wherever possible while still providing a respectful and meaningful farewell.
Green Funeral Services in Brisbane and Queensland
Green funerals are becoming an increasingly popular option for families seeking a natural and environmentally responsible farewell.
If you are considering a green burial in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, it is important to speak with an experienced funeral provider who understands the available options and local regulations.
At Academy Funerals, we are here to guide families through every step of the funeral arrangement process while helping them explore environmentally conscious funeral choices.
We believe every farewell should reflect the life and values of the person being remembered.
