Green burial means the body goes into the ground in a way that lets it return to the soil: no embalming, a shroud or simple biodegradable container, and no concrete vault. Michigan law doesn't require embalming or a vault, but most cemeteries require a vault, and many places that say they "offer green burial" still do.
What to ask any cemetery
- Is a vault or grave liner required? This is the big one. A shroud inside a concrete vault isn't a green burial.
- Is embalming allowed or required?
- What containers are allowed? Shroud, wicker, plain pine, cardboard.
- What markers are allowed? Some allow flat stones, some allow nothing.
- Are there religious or residency rules, and do residents pay less?
Hybrid cemeteries have a green section inside a regular cemetery. Natural burial grounds are fully green. Conservation burial grounds also protect the land; Michigan doesn't have one yet, though one is being planned near Jackson.
There is currently no true green burial inside Ann Arbor. The closest options are in Chelsea, Milan and Dexter. Details checked November 3, 2026. Rules and prices change, so always confirm with the cemetery.
Near Ann Arbor
Oak Grove Cemetery
- Type
- Natural plots in Oak Grove West, a conventional cemetery
- Vault
- Casket and vault not required in the natural section
- Containers
- No casket required
- Markers
- One flush marker per plot
- Price
- Natural plot $2,000 including perpetual care; ask about opening fee
Marble Park Cemetery
- Type
- Natural burial section in a nonprofit cemetery
- Vault
- Not stated on their site. A 2017 news story says burial with or without a vault is allowed. Ask.
- Containers
- 100% biodegradable coffin, casket or shroud
- Markers
- No markers of any kind in the natural section
- Price
- Plot $1,245 plus natural opening and closing $1,730 (about $2,975)
Forest Lawn Cemetery
- Type
- Conventional cemetery that supports natural burial
- Vault
- Ask
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Ask
St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
- Type
- Catholic parish cemetery
- Vault
- Shroud burial without a vault reported to be allowed for Catholics. Confirm with the parish.
- Containers
- Shroud
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Ask
Forest Hill Cemetery
- Type
- Conventional cemetery, not a green burial site
- Vault
- Posted rules don't say. Ask whether a shroud or wicker casket can be used inside a vault.
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Plot $1,600; weekday opening $1,500 (2026)
Elsewhere in southeast Michigan
The Preserve at All Saints
- Type
- Natural burial ground run by a Catholic cemetery association; Green Burial Council certified (reported)
- Vault
- No grave liners or concrete vaults
- Containers
- Shroud, or biodegradable wood, wicker, bamboo or papier-mache casket
- Markers
- Engraved field stone, a name on a shared wall, or unmarked
- Price
- About $1,900 to $2,700 (2022)
Linden Meadow at Clinton Grove Cemetery
- Type
- Green section in a conventional cemetery; Green Burial Council certified (reported)
- Vault
- Not stated on their site; ask
- Containers
- Shroud, wicker or wooden casket; wooden or salt urn for ashes
- Markers
- Flush marker in half the meadow; no markers in the other half
- Price
- Not published
Hebrew Memorial Gardens Nature Preserve
- Type
- Jewish natural burial ground in five wooded acres; Green Burial Council certified
- Vault
- No vaults (reported)
- Containers
- White shroud; plain wood, wicker, bamboo or pine box with no metal
- Markers
- Engraved unpolished natural stone
- Price
- $3,900 for grave and digging (undated; ask)
Mount Carmel Cemetery
- Type
- Catholic cemetery with natural burial since 2009
- Vault
- No vault
- Containers
- Biodegradable container
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Call for prices
Elsewhere in Michigan
Ridgeview Memorial Gardens (The Meadows)
- Type
- Green section in a hay field; Green Burial Council certified (reported)
- Vault
- No vault
- Containers
- Wood, wicker or cardboard casket; natural-fiber shroud
- Markers
- Flush native granite
- Price
- $2,995 (2019; ask for current)
Peninsula Township Cemetery
- Type
- Green section in a township cemetery
- Vault
- No vault in the green section
- Containers
- Biodegradable only
- Markers
- Flush granite
- Price
- Plot $1,000 resident, $3,500 non-resident; weekday burial fee $650 (2023)
West Oshtemo Cemetery
- Type
- Green burial only for full-body burials
- Vault
- Ask
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Above-ground markers allowed
- Price
- Burial rights $750 resident, $1,000 non-resident; opening $1,420 weekday
Chassell Township Cemetery
- Type
- Wooded green sections in a township cemetery
- Vault
- No vault or liner (reported)
- Containers
- Shroud or biodegradable casket
- Markers
- Allowed
- Price
- Lot $250 resident, $350 non-resident; opening $450 (2022)
Park Cemetery, Prairie Mound section
- Type
- Green section in a city cemetery
- Vault
- Concrete vault or liner not allowed
- Containers
- Traditional casket not allowed
- Markers
- No markers
- Price
- Ask
Cemetery Park
- Type
- Green section in a city cemetery
- Vault
- Ask
- Containers
- Biodegradable shroud or casket
- Markers
- No markers at the grave
- Price
- About $1,950 resident, $2,615 non-resident (2021)
Twin Lake and Oakland Cemeteries
- Type
- Township cemeteries that allow green burial
- Vault
- Burial without a vault allowed
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Granite or bronze
- Price
- Ask
Evergreen Cemetery
- Type
- Green plots in a township cemetery
- Vault
- Ask
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Plot $500 resident, $750 non-resident (2024)
Forest Hill Cemetery
- Type
- Green burial offered in a township cemetery
- Vault
- No vault (reported)
- Containers
- Shroud or biodegradable coffin
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Ask
Summit Cemetery natural burial area
- Type
- New natural burial area
- Vault
- Ask
- Containers
- Ask
- Markers
- Ask
- Price
- Ask
Also listed elsewhere, details not yet confirmed: Plainfield Township Cemetery (Kent County, new in 2026), Breen Township (Dickinson County), Jacobsville and Eagle Harbor (Keweenaw), Herman Cemetery (Baraga County), Gates of Heaven and Mountain Home Cemetery's Jewish section (Kalamazoo). Pittsfield Township is working on a natural section.
Want help finding a green option, or planning a gathering to go with it? Get in touch. For caskets and shrouds, see caskets, shrouds and lower-cost options.
Sources include each cemetery's website, the Michigan Deathcare Collaborative, The Dying Year and local news. Spot an error? Email kate@graveandseed.com.