Cost of Green Burial - Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

Apples to Apples

When comparing prices to other cemeteries, be sure to compare “apples to apples.” The majority of cemeteries will quote you just the cost for a cemetery plot. What they often fail to mention are the additional costs such as opening and closing of the grave, land maintenance, coordination with the funeral home, etc. (Which can add an additional cost upward of $1000 – $2000 and sometimes more.) Those additional costs aren’t usually paid until the time of death.

We know that death is a very stressful time, both emotionally and financially, so we have chosen to include all of the costs up front so you and your loved ones don’t have to worry about additional burial costs at the time of death.

Price List

Natural Burial

$3500 – Woodlands
$4000 – Southeastern Meadow
$4500 – Creekside/Wetland Overlook

See the different habitats here

Natural Burial of Cremated Remains

$1850 – Woodlands
$1950 – Southeastern Meadow
$2050 – Creekside/Wetland Overlook

Scattering of Cremated Remains

$1250

For Our Pet Companions

Natural Pet Burial

$350 – 0 to 9 inches in length
$500 – 10 to 19 inches in length
$650 – 20 to 29 inches in length
$800 – 30 to 39 inches in length
$950 – 40 to 49 inches in length
$1100 – 50 to 59 inches in length
Ask for Quote – pets over 60 inches in length

*measurement is from base of tail to tip of nose

Natural Burial of Pet Cremated Remains

$550 – No weight restrictions

*price of soil amendment included

Scattering of Pet Cremated Remains

$500

*price of soil amendment included

Price Includes:

Opening and Closing of Grave – Graves dug by hand.
Burial Coordination + Facilitation – Coordination of the burial service and facilitation of the actual burial itself.
Grave Recording + Marking – Collection of grave GPS coordinates, recording in digital map, physical marker + tags.
Native Stone for Grave Marker – For Natural Burial and Burial of Cremated Remains.
Handling of Cremated Remains – Purchase of burial/scattering of cremated remains include items required for interment, such as soil amendment or urns. Ashes will be buried or scattered according to best practices for green burial.
Perpetual Care – Percentage of burial cost will be set aside for upkeep of the Sanctuary, the Sanctuary Endowment Fund, and to maintain the conservation easement.

Not included:

Engraving – Engraving of native stone marker; This fee is paid separately to engraver.
Biodegradable Burial Container – Containers are not included in the cost but we have relationships with vendors who offer affordable cardboard coffins, pine caskets, and shrouds for sale. (You are not required to purchase through them.)
Funeral Homes – Funeral homes will require separate payment for their services and transportation. Carolina Memorial Sanctuary is not responsible for these costs which must be paid directly to Funeral Home.

Note:

Burial or scattering of cremated remains require the addition of soil amendments, provided and amended by Carolina Memorial Sanctuary, to neutralize the pH of the ashes.
Human or pet cremated remains can be added to a grave. Requires the purchase of soil amendment (supplied by Carolina Memorial Sanctuary). An admin fee is charged to add human ashes to a grave.
Urns are almost never used; in cases where they are, Carolina Memorial Sanctuary provides the urn and does not allow outside urns.
Natural Pet Burial can take place in the Pet Memorial Garden or as part of a Family Plot, for people who have purchased spots for themselves. (A maximum of 3 pets can be added to a Family Plot based on available space.)
Creekside burial occurs above the floodplain and 100 feet from a water source.
Prices are reviewed annually and subject to change.