Great River Natural Burial Ground Receives Green Burial Council (GBC) Certification
We were surprised and deeply honored by the presentation of our Green Burial Council (GBC) certification, delivered by Rachel Essig—board member of the Green Burial Council—during our opening celebration on May 17.
Although Rachel was scheduled to speak about the Green Burial Council at the celebration, and we had completed the Council’s rigorous certification process, we did not know that our certification had been finalized. Being presented with the certificate during her remarks was an unexpected and meaningful moment for our entire community.
The Green Burial Council is a nonprofit environmental certification and education organization that sets standards for natural burial across North America. Its mission is to promote the protection of worker health, the reduction of carbon emissions, the conservation of natural resources, the preservation of habitat, and meaningful family and community involvement in environmentally responsible after-death care. Through independent, third-party certification and extensive educational resources, the GBC supports families, professionals, and communities in making sustainable and thoughtful end-of-life choices.
The certification process is intentionally rigorous. It requires demonstrated commitments to low burial density, natural burial practices, long-term environmental stewardship guided by environmental impact assessments, and strong standards for worker safety and transparency. Achieving this certification reflects our dedication to caring for both the land and the people who place their trust in us.
