Green Funerals

Green funerals provide for the most natural way to return to the earth. Natural burial, sometimes called green burial, has been the traditional method of burial throughout much of human history. It is a way of caring for the dead with dignity and respect, while also having minimal impact on our environment.

Green burial ranges from natural interment of the body using biodegradable burial containers to preserving cremated remains in eco-friendly urns or scattering remains. Your green burial will take place on restored and protected land that accommodates green burial practices, thereby contributing to protecting our natural areas and habitats for future generations.

Who We Are

Sol Levinson is proud to build on our over 130 year history serving the community to provide families with natural (“Green”) burial options. Members of our team specialize in green burial and have the knowledge and resources to tailor the funeral service to your specific wishes.

We are honored to be the first funeral home in Maryland that meets the criteria for providing green funeral service by the Green Burial Council; the national certifying body for green burial standards.

We offer a selection of high quality, biodegradable and eco-friendly caskets and shrouds that are made of natural materials through environmentally sustainable methods that breakdown more easily in the earth.

We were the first Funeral Home in the state of Maryland to be certified by the Green Burial Council. We are also recognized by the Green Burial Association of Maryland, the Global Green Burial Alliance and A Greener Funeral.

Pricing and Merchandise

Green Burial Funeral Package

$6,000

Consultation and counseling with a licensed funeral director
Transfer of the deceased
Sanitary care and preparation of the deceased including refrigeration
Hybrid vehicle transportation to the cemetery
Coordinating all those providing other portions of the service such as the cemetery and clergy
Obtaining and filing of the death certificate
Temporary grave marker (as specified by cemetery)
Providing a licensed funeral director at the cemetery
Personalized page on our website
Package does not include casket and other merchandise as selected

Additional Services and Merchandise

Bamboo Burial Shroud........................................................................................$400

Chapel Service with Webcasting.......................................................................$400

Private Daytime Visitation (before 4 pm, less than 10 people)..................$250

Private Evening Visitation (after 4 pm, less than 10 people).....................$400

Notice in the Baltimore Sun...............................................................................starting at $450

Limousine...............................................................................................................$450

Personalized Acknowledgment Cards.............................................................$50 (per 50 cards)

Grave Opening.......................................................................................................As set by the cemetery

Burial Containers

Click on the boxes for more images and information on each burial container

White Willow Casket

By Passages International

$2,500

Seagrass Casket

By Passages International

$2,300

6-Point Bamboo Coffin

By Passages International

$2,000

Bamboo Shroud (Handles)

By Passages International

$1,000

Green Cemeteries

Serenity Ridge: Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum

Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery and Arboretum was founded on the belief that our community needed a simpler more natural place of burial, open to everyone. They are certified by the Green Burial Council, the national certifying body for green burial standards for natural cemeteries in the United States. By these standards, a natural burial ground requires the adoption of practices/protocols that are energy-conserving, minimize waste, and do not allow the use of toxic chemicals. Everything used for burial is renewable.

2406 Ridge Road
Windsor Mill, MD 21244
email: natural@serenityridgemd.com
phone: 240-628-8725

https://www.serenityridgemd.com
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation Cemetery

Baltimore Hebrew Congregation Cemetery
318 Berrymans Lane, Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-764-1587

Baltimore Hebrew Belair Road Cemetery
2100 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21213
410-764-1587

https://www.baltimorehebrew.org/about/cemetery/#Cemetery_greenBurials
Reflection Park

Reflection Park is a non-profit, multi-faith,
natural burial ground under development
in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Reflection Park will live on a 40-acre parcel of land centrally located in northern Silver Spring, less than a 30-minute drive from Washington, D.C. or Baltimore.

They anticipate opening by the end of 2024.

https://reflectionpark.org/
Bestgate Memorial Park

814 Bestgate Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-6255

https://bestgatememorialpark.com/home-page
Congressional Cemetery

1801 E. Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-0539

www.congressionalcemetery.org
Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park

14321 Comus Rd.
Clarksburg, MD 20871
301-428-3000

https://www.gardenofremembrance.org/
Mount Olivet Cemetery

515 S. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-1164

www.mountolivetcemeteryinc.com
Woodlawn Memorial Park

11365 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601
304-596-8783

https://woodlawneaston.com/

FAQ

Why do people choose Green Burial?

Simplicity

Placing a body in natural materials, such as a cotton shroud or unadorned wooden coffin often appeals to those who prefer their burial arrangement to be natural and simple.

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Preserving Natural Resources

With Green Funerals, fewer natural resources are used, and the carbon footprint is minimized.

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Maintaining Natural Habitats

An appreciation of nature is often one of the reasons for choosing a Green Funeral. The burial sites can provide refuge to birds and wildlife, and some green cemeteries do not use fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides.

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What is the difference between a green burial and natural burial?

The term “green burial” is sometimes used interchangeably with “natural burial,” however they are slightly different. “Natural Burial” refers to the burial process whereas a “green burial” is the burial process as well as the cemetery in which the burial occurs. In order to qualify as a green burial, the cemetery where the burial occurs must meet certain eco-friendly criteria. A “natural burial” can take place in any type of cemetery.

*Taken directly from the Green Burial Association of Maryland
Are there green cremation options?

At this time, there are no facilities in the state of Maryland that offer green cremation alternatives. If you are interested in exploring green urn options, please call us at 410-653-8900 or click here.
Will wildlife disturb the grave?

No. Regardless of whether someone is embalmed or not, graves are dug at a depth deep enough as to not attract animals.
Is embalming required by Maryland law?

This is a very common misconception, and the simple answer is no. There is no law that states a deceased needs to be embalmed, as there is no medical/health reason to do so. Although some funeral homes may require embalming for viewing purposes, our normal practice is to not embalm, and instead use refrigeration as an alternative.
How does one mark the actual burial spot?
Different cemeteries offer a variety of options to mark a burial spot, some of which include:
- GPS location
- Natural, unsculpted stones
- Native plants, trees or shrubs
- Metal spikes which can be found by metal detectors
How can I start planning a green funeral?

If you are interested in arranging or pre-planning a green funeral, please call us at 410-653-8900 to speak with a funeral director or schedule an appointment. Our staff is equipped to perform 100% all green funerals, in partnership with certified green cemetries in the area.