Natural burials not only create green space in urban settings but they also offer an alternative to conventional burials, which are environmentally harmful. Natural burial grounds don't have formal lawns or flower-beds, and therefore do not require pesticides or fertilizers. Actually, conventional burials are hard on the environment because they usually include the use of embalming fluid and steel, concrete and high quality hardwoods — caskets are made from beautiful trees that are cut down only to be buried.

Low impact natural burials reduce energy and resource consumption, are less toxic, conserve water, and include local sustainable materials, and save the earth of the added burden of coping with noxious chemicals. Additionally, the energy use and consequential CO2 emissions from cremation are excessive.