Our Services
Ecological
green cemetery for natural burials
The purpose was not to introduce a new concept, but to restore an old tradition.
Why we created a green cemetery
Green burial provides a gentle, direct bond with the earth — a sacred, timeless passage quietly stewarded by nature. Since our creation in 2005, Fernwood has been committed to green burial and environmentally mindful cremation through certified sustainable practices that honor life and the land.
Our purpose was not to introduce a new concept, but to restore an old tradition: to return to nature through the passage of life. As mainstream culture has increasingly emphasized sterility and distance around death, Fernwood chose a different path — one that allows families to experience loss fully, while supported by the land itself.
Our decision to embrace green burial was also influenced by the needs of our Marin County community, who sought a way to honor loved ones without abandoning ceremony, faith-based practices, or deeply personal rituals around the passing of life.
The values that guide us
We are authentically inclusive and honor expressions of love, grief, and remembrance in all forms.
Inclusivity
We listen deeply, attune to every detail, and walk beside families at every step.
Empathy
We go beyond surface gestures and serve with reverence, honoring the weight and wonder of a life lived.
Depth
We are devoted to our role as stewards — of land, of tradition, and of the profound trust that families place in us.
Devotion
We ensure our promises, practices, and places are worthy of the lives we honor.
Integrity
What is a green burial?
A green burial, also known as a natural burial, is an ecological option that returns the body to the earth directly, through simple and sustainable practices. Green burials are typically performed within days of a loved one’s passing, which removes the need for embalming with formaldehyde or other toxic chemicals. Because no chemical embalming is used, the surrounding earth remains clean and healthy.
Instead of traditional caskets, green burials use burial shrouds or natural, sustainably sourced caskets made of materials such as wicker or untreated wood. These materials are fully biodegradable, allowing the body to decompose naturally and rejoin the landscape.
At Fernwood, green burial reflects a commitment to land stewardship and offers families a calm, quiet resting place shaped by open space and natural surroundings. For those who wish to honor a life in a way that reflects environmental values, simplicity, and a deep respect for nature, green burial offers a meaningful choice.
Our natural burial process
Fernwood’s natural burial process provides an ecological funeral pathway grounded in care for both families and the land. Each step supports a return to the earth that is simple, respectful, and environmentally responsible.
Personalized consultation
We begin with a thoughtful consultation to understand your wishes and guide you through Fernwood’s green burial options. Whether planning ahead or making arrangements after a loss, this is a transparent conversation held with respect for personal, cultural, and spiritual values.
Choosing the site & burial type
Families are guided in selecting a burial site within Fernwood’s natural burial grounds, where the land’s wild beauty offers an incomparable setting for a passage. Burial options include biodegradable shrouds or natural caskets made of wicker or wood, or interment of cremated remains in a biodegradable urn.
Simple, natural preparation
Preparation is intentionally simple and handled with care, and does not involve embalming. Because green burials typically take place within days of passing, chemical preservation can be entirely forgone.
Families may choose to take part in the preparation of their loved one before burial. This may include washing, dressing, or braiding their loved one’s hair, or placing personal items in the casket, such as flowers, fruit, letters, or mementos. This optional involvement is guided by Fernwood’s experienced staff and offered with respect for each family’s wishes.
Ecological burial
Burial is carried out using methods that support natural decomposition and ecological balance. Without toxic chemicals or burial vaults, each burial allows the land to remain living and healthy, preserving the surrounding environment for future generations.
Grave markers & memorialization
Natural burial sites at Fernwood are not marked with traditional cut-and-polished headstones or bronze markers. Instead, families may choose a natural boulder engraved as a grave marker. Some families prefer to allow their loved one’s grave to blend fully into the natural environment without a visible marker. In designated sections of the cemetery, tree memorials are also offered.
To ensure every resting place can always be located, Fernwood carefully maps each grave using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and marks every burial site with an identification device. This approach preserves the landscape’s integrity while giving families confidence that their loved one’s location can always be found.
Environmentally mindful cremation
Fernwood offers environmentally mindful cremation with choices for cremation burial, niches, memorial trees, and designated scattering areas within the cemetery grounds. Each cremation is paired with the planting and long-term care of native trees, designed to more than offset carbon emissions over the coming decades. This commitment is carried out by Fernwood at no additional cost to families.
Why choose Fernwood for green burial?
Fernwood is a leader in green burial, offering families in the San Francisco Bay Area an environmentally responsible option grounded in land stewardship, conservation, and care. Our green burial areas are thoughtfully maintained to protect native ecosystems while providing peaceful, scenic settings for remembrance. From certified conservation efforts to hand-in-hand guidance, Fernwood approaches green burial with integrity, experience, and long-term commitment to the land and the families we serve.
Natural boulder markers
Families may choose an engraved natural boulder or allow the site to blend fully into the landscape. Every burial location is GPS-mapped and marked with an identification device to ensure loved ones can always be located.
Certified wildlife sanctuary
Fernwood is a Nationally Wildlife Certified Wildlife Habitat, where native plants and wildlife are protected and encouraged to thrive. Green burial areas function as living ecosystems, supporting birds, pollinators, and native flora while preserving the land for future generations.
Sustainability and environmentally attuned practices
Green burial at Fernwood follows sustainable practices that avoid harmful chemicals and prioritize conservation. Without embalming fluids or synthetic materials, each burial supports soil health, natural decomposition, and long-term ecological balance within the cemetery grounds.
Guided support and care
Fernwood’s experienced staff guides families through every step of the green burial process with intuitive care and reverence. Whether planning ahead or after a loss, families receive attentive support to ensure arrangements reflect their values while honoring both the individual and the land.
Green burial locations at Fernwood
Fernwood’s green burial grounds flow across the property, each shaped by the land’s natural contours, plant life, and long-term restoration efforts. These natural burial areas offer peaceful settings for ecological interment, allowing families to choose a place that reflects their values, sense of place, and connection to the landscape.
Upper Meadow
Lower Meadow continues Fernwood’s coastal prairie restoration, with native grasses and wildflowers supported through ongoing removal of invasive species. Burial sites are set along the hillside with views of Mount Tamalpais, and nearby trails connect the meadow to the Ancestral Forest.
Lower Meadow
Families are guided in selecting a burial site within Fernwood’s natural burial grounds, where the land’s wild beauty offers an incomparable setting for a passage. Burial options include biodegradable shrouds or natural caskets made of wicker or wood, or interment of cremated remains in a biodegradable urn.
Founders' Forest
Founders’ Forest reflects the restoration of an oak woodland following the removal of invasive eucalyptus. Mature oak trees provide shade and stillness, creating a calm, wooded setting for natural burial beneath a restored forest canopy.
Ancestral Forest
Ancestral Forest is a tranquil wooded area shaped by a meandering trail that begins near Fernwood’s pioneer section and leads toward the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Rich soil and soft grasses create a grounded, natural setting for burial among the trees.
Golden Gate
Golden Gate is a hillside meadow designated for cremation burial only. A rustic trail connects this area to Upper Meadow, and the open landscape offers a quiet resting place shaped by expansive views and natural surroundings. Please note: this area is not easily accessible.
Founders Transition
Founders Transition marks the boundary between Fernwood’s historic cemetery and its natural burial areas. These hillsides are being restored to native grasslands with scattered oak and bay trees, offering sweeping views of Tennessee Valley and Mount Tamalpais in an easily accessible setting.
Sacred Grove
Sacred Grove is a premium green burial area located on a grassy knoll with expansive views of Mount Tamalpais, Tennessee Valley, and Mill Valley. The elevated setting offers a serene atmosphere well-suited for graveside services and quiet reflection.
Family Grove
Family Grove is a natural burial area designed for family plots, situated above Fernwood’s historic cemetery. Surrounded by oak and bay trees, the grove provides shade, openness, and views of Mount Tamalpais for family burial and memorial gatherings.
Mt. Fernwood
Mt. Fernwood is the highest point on the property and is designated for cremation burial only. Bordered by forest and overlooking the valley below, this elevated meadow offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Please note: this area is not easily accessible.
Gan Yarok
Gan Yarok is a natural Jewish green burial cemetery located within Fernwood, reached by a paved pathway adjacent to the Ancestral Forest. As the first certified Jewish green cemetery in the United States, Gan Yarok — meaning “green garden” — offers Orthodox, Conservative, and Community sections, each with specific burial practices. Services may be tailored to individual traditions of observance.
Gan Yarok Expansion
Gan Yarok Expansion continues Gan Yarok’s green burial and cultural traditions in a newly developed hillside meadow. Consecrated in 2010, this area extends the values of Jewish green burial, offering designated sections with specific burial guidelines and the ability to tailor services to personal beliefs and practices.
Frequently asked questions about green burials
How is green burial different from traditional burial?
Green burial differs from traditional burial in materials and environmental impact. It does not involve embalming fluids, metal caskets, or concrete vaults, and uses biodegradable containers instead. These practices reduce environmental impact, support land preservation, and often offer a simpler, more affordable option that reflects ecological and spiritual values.
Can I have a memorial or marker for my loved one?
Yes. Green burial sites at Fernwood do not use traditional headstones or bronze markers, but families may choose an engraved natural boulder or allow the site to blend into the landscape. Each grave is GPS-mapped and marked with an identification device so families can always locate their loved one’s resting place.
Is Fernwood irrigated?
Fernwood’s traditional sections are irrigated, while our green burial areas are not. Our natural areas are irrigated by rainfall and respond to seasonal conditions—turning golden in the summer and green and blooming in the winter and spring.
