Eco-Friendly Funerals

In 2025, 173,000 people died in the Netherlands (source: CBS, provisional annual figures 2025). Roughly 70% were cremated; the rest were buried. Every funeral requires energy, raw materials and space. At the same time, awareness is growing that things can be done differently. Natural burial grounds are springing up across the country, crematoria are switching to electric ovens and legislators are working on legalising resomation.

This guide maps out every sustainable funeral option. You will learn what each method involves, what it costs, how much CO₂ is associated with it and what choices you can make today. No obligations — just clear facts so you can shape a farewell that aligns with your values.

The ecological footprint of a funeral

The environmental impact of a funeral extends to more elements than you might expect. It is not just about choosing between burial and cremation, but also about the coffin, transport, flowers, printed materials and catering. According to research by TNO (2014, still the most widely cited source in the sector), the average CO₂ emissions per funeral type are as follows:

Source: TNO report 2014, cited by DELA, Humanistisch Verbond, RTL Nieuws and NOS.

The most environmentally impactful element of virtually any funeral is transport — not of the deceased, but of all the guests driving to the ceremony, the condolence gathering and the burial ground or crematorium. Combining all locations in one place already makes a significant difference.

Practical tip: Use the funeral cost calculator to gain insight into both the total costs and the environmental impact of your preferences.

Natural burial: returning to nature

Natural burial is the fastest-growing sustainable funeral form in the Netherlands. The body (or urn) is buried at a natural burial ground: a forest, heathland or estate where nature takes centre stage. There are no headstones, no concrete edging and no artificial flowers. Instead, the grave literally becomes part of the landscape.

How does it work?

At a natural burial ground, you choose your own spot — often during a walk with a staff member. After the burial, a biodegradable wooden memorial marker indicates the location. Over time, this marker disappears and the grave becomes invisible. Only biodegradable materials are permitted: an untreated wooden coffin, a willow casket, a shroud made of hemp or wool, or a mycelium coffin.

How many natural burial grounds are there?

The Netherlands now has over 40 natural burial grounds, spread across the country. DELA manages three (Den en Rust in Bilthoven, IJsselhof in Gouda and Wierdebegraafplaats in Adorp). Natuurbegraven Nederland works with Natuurmonumenten and offers plots at multiple locations. The majority of natural burial grounds are found in Noord-Brabant and Gelderland.

Perpetual burial rights

A key difference from regular cemeteries: at a natural burial ground, perpetual burial rights are almost always included. At a municipal cemetery, you typically receive 10 to 30 years of burial rights, after which you must renew or the grave is cleared. With natural burial, you pay once and the plot is yours forever. Surviving relatives never have to make a decision about renewal. Once the last burial has taken place, at locations managed by Natuurbegraven Nederland the nature conservancy body (Natuurmonumenten) takes over stewardship of the area.

What does natural burial cost?

Plot costs at Natuurbegraven Nederland range from €2,000 to €5,300 per person (rates as of 1 April 2025; new rates apply from 1 April 2026). DELA quotes a range of €4,000 to €5,000 including maintenance and management. Monuta estimates the average cost at €5,250. Burial fees (opening and closing the grave) and the funeral director's costs are additional.

For comparison: perpetual burial rights at a regular cemetery cost €2,500 to €7,000, plus annual maintenance fees and a headstone (averaging €2,000). Over the long term, natural burial therefore often works out cheaper.

Greener cremation: electric ovens and green energy

Cremation is by far the most chosen funeral form in the Netherlands, at around 70%. The environmental impact is accordingly significant: a traditional gas oven uses approximately 60 m³ of natural gas per cremation — comparable to the gas consumption of an average household in just over two weeks. But considerable progress is being made in sustainability.

Electric cremation

DELA installed the first electric cremation oven in the Netherlands in 2019, at crematorium Nedermaas in Geleen. When powered by green electricity, an electric oven reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 113 kg per cremation (source: DELA). Eight of DELA's 47 cremation ovens are now electric. This number is expected to grow in the coming years.

For surviving relatives, there is no practical difference: the ceremony, the committal and the result are identical to a cremation in a gas oven. The temperature is comparable (approximately 1,100 °C) and the cremation duration is actually slightly shorter.

Further sustainability measures

Beyond the oven itself, crematoria are taking additional steps: using green electricity (all DELA crematoria have run on green energy since 2018), reusing residual heat to warm the building, deploying electric funeral vehicles (now in 8 of DELA's 25 regions) and offering FSC-certified standard coffins.

Practical tip: Ask your funeral director whether the crematorium has an electric oven. Not every crematorium offers this option yet, but availability is growing. Check the funeral checklist for a complete overview of green choices.

Resomation: water cremation on the horizon

Resomation (also known as water cremation, aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis) is the most discussed new funeral method. In this process, the body is dissolved in a pressure vessel using water and potassium hydroxide, at a temperature of approximately 150 °C and elevated pressure. After 2 to 4 hours, only the bone structures remain. These are ground into a fine white powder, comparable to cremation ashes.

Status in the Netherlands

As of early 2026, resomation is not yet permitted for humans in the Netherlands. The current Burial and Cremation Act (Wet op de lijkbezorging) recognises only burial, cremation and donation to science. The bill 'Wet bestemming lichamen overledenen' (Wblo) includes resomation as a fourth option. This proposal is currently with the Council of State for advisory review. The sector expects legalisation in late 2026 or early 2027.

Resomation has been permitted for animals since early 2025 and is already being practised.

Preparations in practice

Several organisations are ready to begin as soon as the law allows: 't Vijfde Seizoen in Ommeren has had a working resomator since 2023, Resoma in Leeuwarden is already active for animals and ready for humans, and facilities in Heeswijk-Dinther and Dronten have been prepared.

Environmental benefits

According to TNO research, resomation is better than cremation and burial on virtually every environmental measure: 75 to 85% less CO₂ emissions, no mercury or dioxin emissions, less particulate matter, lower energy consumption and less water usage. The estimated CO₂ emissions per resomation are around 28 to 50 kg, compared to 208 kg for a gas cremation.

Expected costs

Since resomation is not yet legal, exact prices are unknown. Sector expectations are that process costs will be comparable to cremation. Estimates range from €1,450 to €2,000 for the technical process. A complete funeral including resomation is estimated at €6,000 to €9,000 (source: rouwuitvaart.nl, January 2026).

Sustainable coffins, shrouds and caskets

The coffin is one of the most tangible choices at a funeral. Dutch law (Wet op de lijkbezorging) requires a "covering", but this does not have to be a traditional coffin. The Burial and Cremation Decree (Besluit op de Lijkbezorging) does stipulate that the covering must be made of biodegradable materials and suited to the purpose of burial or cremation.

Options at a glance

Prices are indicative and may vary by supplier.

The mycelium coffin by Loop (Loop Living Cocoon) is a Dutch innovation: a coffin grown from mushroom roots that decomposes in the ground within 45 days. This is many times faster than a wooden coffin. Staatsbosbeheer (the Dutch Forestry Commission) also offers coffins made from wood sourced from its own forests.

Clothing

Synthetic clothing does not decompose in the ground and is extra environmentally burdensome during cremation. Natural materials such as hemp, organic cotton, linen or wool are better alternatives. At natural burial grounds, synthetic clothing (think nylon tights) is generally not permitted.

Practical tip: A shroud combined with a bearing board is the most environmentally friendly option and often the cheapest too. Discuss this with your funeral director or explore the options in the planning guide.

Green choices around the funeral day

Beyond the big choice (burial or cremation, which coffin), there are dozens of smaller decisions that together make a significant difference.

Transport

Transport is the most environmentally impactful element of a funeral — not transporting the deceased, but all the attendees. Where possible, choose a single venue where the ceremony, condolence gathering and reception all take place. In urban areas, there are funeral directors who work with electric funeral vehicles, funeral bicycles or even walking hearses. DELA now operates electric funeral vehicles in 8 of its 25 regions.

Flowers

Many cut flowers travel great distances (Africa, South America) and are cultivated with pesticides. Choose seasonal flowers from the region, organically grown flowers or wildflowers. At natural burial grounds, only loose cut flowers or wildflowers may be placed — without packaging, floral foam or wire. An alternative: ask guests to each bring a single flower.

Printed materials and communication

A death notice in a newspaper can easily cost hundreds of euros. A digital mourning card is not only cheaper but also more environmentally friendly. If you still prefer paper, opt for 100% recycled paper.

Catering

Choose seasonal and regional products, organic where possible, and vegetarian or vegan. A reception at home or at a local venue is often cheaper and more sustainable than catering at a funeral centre. Use the checklist for sustainable funeral choices to make sure nothing is overlooked.

Memorial

Traditional grave monuments made of natural stone are often quarried in China or India, with corresponding transport and an intensive production process. Alternatives: a wooden memorial marker (biodegradable), a Circle Stone (an initiative by the GreenLeave foundation, made from recycled materials), or no monument at all.

Costs of a sustainable funeral

A common assumption is that sustainable always means more expensive. For funerals, that is not necessarily the case. Some green choices actually save money.

Total cost comparison

Sources: Natuurbegraven Nederland (rates 2025), DELA, Nibud, NOS.

According to Nibud, an average funeral in the Netherlands costs approximately €7,500 (Nibud research, cited by the Dutch Association of Insurers). NOS reported in 2025 that average costs have now risen above €10,000. DELA quotes €8,000 for an average cremation and €10,000 for a burial.

A sustainable funeral with natural burial, a simple coffin and seasonal flowers can come in at a comparable or even lower total than a traditional funeral — especially when you factor in the elimination of grave maintenance costs and headstone expenses. Calculate your own situation with the cost calculator.

Recording your sustainable wishes and insurance

Perhaps the most important step: make sure your loved ones know what you want. Sustainability rarely gets attention during the hectic period after a death. If you do not record your green wishes, there is a good chance that standard options will be chosen by default.

How to record your wishes

There are several ways to formally record your funeral wishes: in your will, in a codicil (handwritten testamentary provision), via a funeral wishes form with your insurer, or digitally via platforms such as Monuta Uitvaartwensen or DELA Uitvaartwensen. Also discuss your wishes verbally with your partner, children or another trusted person.

Insurance and natural burial

All major funeral insurers in principle cover the costs of a natural burial. However, be aware: with a natura or combination policy, a significant additional payment may be required, as the standard package is often insufficient for perpetual burial rights. A capital policy (lump-sum payout) offers the most flexibility, as you can spend the paid-out amount as you choose.

Check whether your current policy matches your sustainable wishes. Many policies were taken out years ago and cover an amount of €3,000 to €4,000, while the average funeral now costs double that. Compare your options on our comparison page or review specific insurers: DELA Lump-Sum Policy, DELA Service Policy, a.s.r. Funeral Insurance or Monuta.

Digital estate

A sustainable farewell extends beyond the physical funeral. Also consider your digital estate: what happens to your online accounts, photos and social media? Record this in your living will.

Conclusion

A sustainable funeral does not have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you choose natural burial, an electric cremation, a cardboard coffin or seasonal flowers: every conscious choice counts. The options are growing, legislators are moving along and insurers are adapting. It all starts with recording your wishes.

Curious which funeral insurance best suits your sustainable wishes? Compare insurers on eindstation.nl and discover what options are available.