At Dancy Funeral Home, we believe that how we say goodbye can reflect how we lived — with care, intention, and respect for the world around us. Whether you’re drawn to a full natural burial, looking to make more eco-conscious choices within a traditional service, or want to “green” the cremation process, we are here to guide you through every option.
We’ve long served as a resource for both families and funeral directors nationwide — offering education, advocacy, and hands-on support for sustainable funerals. Funeral directors Bob and Julia have shared their experience with community groups and professional audiences alike, helping others understand the shades of green available.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you want to return directly to the earth or simply make choices that tread more lightly, we’ll help you create a meaningful tribute that aligns with your values — and honors your loved one beautifully.
A green funeral is any type of funeral service that reduces environmental impact while honoring a loved one’s life with dignity and care. It might mean natural burial or green burial without embalming or a vault, or simply making thoughtful choices — such as using a sustainably sourced casket or opting for native plants instead of imported flowers.
There is no single definition — rather, green funerals exist on a spectrum of sustainability.
At Dancy Funeral Home, we help families explore the many shades of green available, from the purest forms of natural burial to gentler, eco-conscious choices within more traditional services.
The purest form of green funeral care, natural burial forgoes embalming, metal caskets, and burial vaults. Instead, the body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud, and buried in a natural cemetery or conservation area where native flora can thrive and families can return in peace.
Key elements:
Natural or green burial often invites deeper participation from the family. Some loved ones assist with washing or dressing the body, helping wrap the shroud, carrying the casket, or even lowering it into the ground. These acts are deeply moving and can be visceral, spiritual, and healing — transforming the burial into an experience of true connection.
Natural burials take place in woodlands, meadows, or designated green burial sections of a cemetery. These spaces are often free of manicured lawns or plastic grave décor. Instead, they are preserved as natural habitats, with wildflowers, native grasses, and trees. Grave markers are typically flat fieldstones, native boulders, or natural elements rather than manufactured headstones.
In many natural cemeteries, families may plant a native tree, bush, or groundcover over the grave. The burial itself may become part of a broader effort to conserve open land.
If you are considering a natural burial, one of the most important steps is choosing a cemetery that feels right to you and your family. Each location has its own atmosphere, history, and approach — and if time allows, we recommend visiting your top choices in person. Some families are drawn to open meadows, while others find comfort in wooded paths or hilltop views.
Below are several trusted natural burial cemeteries in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that we have worked with and confidently recommend:
Closest natural burial option to Caldwell
Located just off the historic Vail Cemetery — which predates the American Revolution — this natural section is nestled in thirty acres of quiet woodland. Spring daffodils bloom along the forest paths, and a wildflower-filled meadow provides a serene setting for outdoor ceremonies. Families may mark graves with limestone stones, and services often feel intimate and deeply personal. Though operated by the Presbyterian Church of Parsippany, it is a non-denominational cemetery that welcomes all.
A Catholic green burial option, part of the Archdiocese of Newark
Set within a beautifully maintained section of Maryrest Cemetery, this natural burial area includes a butterfly garden, statue of St. Francis of Assisi, and a gazebo ideal for graveside services. Names are engraved on boulders along the winding path. The space offers a peaceful and spiritual setting, while honoring Catholic funeral traditions.
Historic and tranquil, just over the Hudson River
Just over the state line in New York, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery offers natural burial options in a beautiful hillside location above a river. Services can be held in their classic stone chapel, and the grounds offer a mixture of woodland and historic charm. This is a wonderful choice for those who value tradition and nature equally.
A pioneer in conservation burial and land preservation
Greensprings is one of the region’s earliest and best-known natural burial preserves. Founded by university faculty and staff as a conservation initiative, its sweeping meadows and forests serve both as burial ground and protected land. Each grave space is 15 x 15 feet, giving families room to plant a native tree or shrub without encroaching on neighboring sites. Graves may be marked with engraved boulders found on the land.
Mountainous and peaceful, in the heart of the Poconos
Tucked into the forested hills of northeastern Pennsylvania, Moravian High Acres offers a mountain setting for those drawn to a more rugged, natural landscape. The cemetery is simple, spiritual, and especially well suited to families who want a quiet, elevated place of rest.
Woodland charm in the Pine Barrens
Located in southern New Jersey, not far from Atlantic City, Steelmantown offers one of the most unique natural burial experiences in the region. Its wooded paths, quaint restored chapel, and antique burial cart create a sense of stepping back in time. It’s a beloved option for families seeking a deep woodland setting for a green farewell.
While every natural burial is unique, the process follows a rhythm that is rooted in simplicity, intention, and respect. For many families, it’s not just a burial — it’s an experience of connection, care, and peace.
At Dancy Funeral Home, we’re here to guide you through each step with gentleness, professionalism, and a deep respect for your values.
Not every family chooses a natural burial — but that doesn’t mean you can’t make environmentally conscious choices within a more traditional funeral.
Whether you’re planning a visitation, church service, burial in a traditional family plot or entombment in a family mausoleum, there are thoughtful ways to reduce environmental impact while still honoring tradition, faith, and family expectations.
At Dancy Funeral Home, we’ll work with you to incorporate sustainable elements at every stage, based on your family’s values, culture, and comfort.
If embalming is necessary — due to public visitation, travel delays, or family tradition — we offer formaldehyde-free embalming alternatives, made from plant-based or essential oil compounds. These options are gentler on the body and the earth, while still offering a natural and presentable appearance for viewing.
Reach out to us today with any questions. At Dancy Funeral Home, we’re here to guide you with care and compassion every step of the way.
While cremation is often seen as a greener alternative to traditional burial, it still involves high heat and energy use, and it releases emissions into the atmosphere. That said, there are ways to make cremation more sustainable — and we’re here to guide you through every option.
Eco-conscious cremation choices include:
Even after cremation, there are ways to leave a legacy that respects the earth — whether through how you return the remains to nature, what materials you select, or how you structure the memorial itself. We’re here to help you explore all of it, one decision at a time.
Every funeral is a reflection of life, values, and love. Choosing a green funeral is about more than reducing environmental impact — it’s about returning to simplicity, honoring the natural cycle, and creating a legacy rooted in care.
For some, it’s a personal or spiritual calling — the desire to return to the earth naturally. For others, it’s part of a broader commitment to sustainability and conservation. And for many families, it’s a way to create a farewell that feels intimate, meaningful, and connected to something larger.
Green funerals allow families to:
We believe that how we say goodbye matters — and that green funerals offer a path forward that is not only sustainable, but deeply personal and profoundly human.
Whether you're just beginning to explore this path or are ready to begin planning, we're here to help you navigate each decision with clarity, respect, and care.
Whether you're just beginning to explore sustainable options or have a clear vision for a natural burial or green cremation, we’re here to walk beside you — with practical guidance, compassionate support, and deep respect for your values.
At Dancy Funeral Home, our goal is simple: to help you honor a life well lived in a way that aligns with the life your loved one led — and the legacy they leave behind.
Contact us to learn more about green funeral options, local cemetery requirements, and how to begin planning.
