Green Burial and Natural Cemetery Site Inspection [FREE PDF]

Green burial and natural cemetery operations are subject to a layered regulatory framework including FTC Funeral Rule 16 CFR 453 (which governs pricing transparency and consumer disclosures), EPA regulations for ground-penetrating water quality protection, and state mortuary board and environmental agency rules governing burial container restrictions and site stewardship. The Green Burial Council (GBC) further defines tiered certification standards—Hybrid, Natural, and Conservation—that establis

  • Industry: Cemeteries
  • Frequency: Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: Cemetery Superintendent
  • Total Items: 35
  • Compliance: FTC Funeral Rule 16 CFR 453 - Pricing Disclosure Requirements, EPA Clean Water Act Section 404 - Wetlands and Burial Site Restrictions, EPA Safe Drinking Water Act - Groundwater Protection Near Burial Sites, State Mortuary Board Regulations - Cemetery Licensing and Burial Standards, State Environmental Agency Regulations - Natural Burial Site Permitting

Site Environmental Conditions

Assess natural landscape health, vegetation integrity, and environmental indicators essential to green burial certification and EPA groundwater protection standards.

  • Is the burial area free from evidence of soil erosion, rilling, or surface runoff that could transport contaminants to nearby water bodies?
  • Is the minimum required setback distance from wells, waterways, and wetlands maintained for all active burial plots?
  • Is native vegetation cover on undisturbed portions of the site healthy and free from significant invasive species encroachment?
  • Are drainage channels, swales, or berms functioning correctly to direct surface water away from burial areas?
  • Has the most recent soil percolation or groundwater depth test been conducted within the required regulatory interval and documented on file?

Burial Depth and Plot Preparation

Inspect grave preparation practices to ensure compliance with minimum depth requirements, natural decomposition standards, and prohibitions on non-biodegradable materials.

  • Are all active burial plots excavated to the minimum required depth (typically 3.5 feet to top of remains) per state cemetery regulations?
  • Are burial containers limited to biodegradable materials only (shrouds, wicker, untreated wood) with no metal hardware, embalmed remains, or non-degradable liners being accepted?
  • Are plot locations accurately recorded in a permanent cemetery map or GPS-based records management system?
  • Are all recently closed burial plots properly backfilled, tamped, and seeded or mulched with native materials?
  • Is there evidence of any plot disturbance, animal activity, or subsidence in recently closed burials requiring remediation?

Grave Marking and Memorialization Standards

Verify that grave marking practices meet natural cemetery guidelines, are ecologically consistent, and conform to consumer disclosure commitments.

  • Are all grave markers (stones, native plantings, GPS pins) consistent with the cemetery's approved marking policy communicated to families at time of purchase?
  • Are marker stones limited to local, undressed, or minimally worked natural stone with no engraving chemicals or non-native materials?
  • Are memorial plantings limited to native species approved for the site's ecological zone and free from invasive ornamentals?
  • Are all markers accurately positioned over their respective plots and matching the recorded interment location in the cemetery management system?
  • Have families been provided written documentation of their plot GPS coordinates or permanent location identifier at the time of interment?

Consumer Disclosure and FTC Funeral Rule Compliance

Assess whether the cemetery's pricing, contract, and service disclosure practices meet FTC Funeral Rule requirements and state cemetery sales regulations.

  • Does the cemetery maintain a current General Price List (GPL) for all green burial products and services that is provided to consumers upon request?
  • Does the GPL accurately disclose all mandatory fees, package restrictions, ecological stewardship assessments, and any items that must be purchased as a condition of green burial?
  • Are all pre-need burial contracts written in plain language, compliant with state pre-need cemetery regulations, and properly funded or bonded per state requirements?
  • Are staff trained to accurately represent what green burial entails, what is and is not permitted at this site, and the site's certification status?
  • Are complaint records and consumer inquiries regarding burial practices or contract terms documented and reviewed within a defined response timeframe?

Ecological Stewardship and Conservation Activities

Document active land stewardship, conservation easement status, and habitat management activities that define natural and conservation burial certification standards.

  • Is the site operating under a recorded conservation easement or deed restriction that permanently prohibits conventional development of the burial land?
  • Has a documented land management plan (including invasive species control, native seeding, and habitat monitoring schedules) been updated within the past 12 months?
  • Are pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers prohibited from the green burial section of the site?
  • Are wildlife corridors, buffer zones, or habitat features being actively maintained per the site's conservation management plan?
  • Is annual ecological monitoring data (vegetation surveys, wildlife observations, soil health metrics) being collected and retained for certification renewal?

Infrastructure, Access, and Visitor Safety

Evaluate roads, pathways, fencing, and visitor amenities to ensure safe access to burial areas while maintaining the natural character of the site.

  • Are all vehicle access routes to the burial sections passable, free from hazardous ruts or standing water, and capable of supporting a hearse or transport vehicle?
  • Are pedestrian paths and family viewing areas free from tripping hazards, exposed roots, unstable ground, or overgrown vegetation that impedes safe passage?
  • Is the perimeter fencing or natural boundary of the natural burial section intact and clearly delineating the certified area from conventional cemetery sections?
  • Are signage and informational materials at site entry points accurate, legible, and consistent with current GBC certification status and permitted burial types?
  • Are any temporary exclusion zones, open excavations, or safety hazards properly barricaded and marked to protect visiting families and staff?

Records Management and Regulatory Documentation

Confirm that interment records, regulatory permits, and inspection documentation are current, properly maintained, and accessible for state agency review.

  • Is the cemetery's state cemetery license current, posted or available for inspection, and covering all sections used for natural burial?
  • Are all interment records for the natural burial section complete, including decedent name, date of interment, plot GPS coordinates, and burial container type?
  • Are environmental permits (wetlands, stormwater, soil disturbance) current and reflecting the actual operational footprint of the cemetery?
  • Have findings from the previous quarterly site inspection been reviewed, corrective actions completed, and outcomes documented in the inspection log?
  • Please document any site deficiencies, regulatory concerns, ecological observations, or corrective actions required following this inspection.

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Why Use This Green Burial and Natural Cemetery Site Inspection [FREE PDF]?

This green burial and natural cemetery site inspection [free pdf] helps cemeteries teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for cemetery superintendent professionals, this checklist covers 35 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly.

Ensures compliance with FTC Funeral Rule 16 CFR 453 - Pricing Disclosure Requirements, EPA Clean Water Act Section 404 - Wetlands and Burial Site Restrictions, EPA Safe Drinking Water Act - Groundwater Protection Near Burial Sites, State Mortuary Board Regulations - Cemetery Licensing and Burial Standards, State Environmental Agency Regulations - Natural Burial Site Permitting. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Green Burial and Natural Cemetery Site Inspection [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 35 inspection items across 7 sections: Site Environmental Conditions, Burial Depth and Plot Preparation, Grave Marking and Memorialization Standards, Consumer Disclosure and FTC Funeral Rule Compliance, Ecological Stewardship and Conservation Activities, Infrastructure, Access, and Visitor Safety, Records Management and Regulatory Documentation. It is designed for cemeteries operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Green Burial and Natural Cemetery Site Inspection [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Cemetery Superintendent professionals in the cemeteries industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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