Can you be buried in nature in Finland?

Scattering ashes in nature is permitted in Finland with the landowner's permission, but coffin burial in nature is not permitted under the Burial Act. Burial must take place in a designated cemetery. A memorial grove is the closest alternative to natural burial – ashes can be placed there without a headstone.

How does a natural burial ground benefit the environment?

A natural burial ground reduces the environmental impact of burial in many ways: no chemicals (embalming fluids, pesticides), no concrete structures, no mechanical maintenance, less material consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. Additionally, natural burial grounds can serve as nature conservation areas and maintain biodiversity.

Natural Burial Ground – Ecological Burial on Nature's Terms

Q: What is a natural burial ground?

A natural burial ground is a burial site where the deceased are buried in a natural environment with minimal environmental impact. The aim is for the burial to blend into nature: no headstones, no concrete foundations, no chemicals. The area may be forest, meadow or other natural environment that retains its ecological value.

Q: Are there natural burial grounds in Finland?

Finland does not yet have natural burial grounds in the international sense. However, memorial groves and garden-style cemetery areas offer a more nature-friendly alternative. Scattering ashes in nature is permitted with the landowner's permission. Interest in natural burial grounds is growing, and the discussion about establishing them is ongoing.

Q: How does natural burial differ from traditional burial?

In natural burial, biodegradable coffins or shrouds are used, with no embalming or chemicals. Instead of headstones, the marker may be a tree, shrub or natural stone. The area does not look like a traditional cemetery but rather like a natural forest or meadow. Maintenance is based on nature's own processes, not mechanical care.

What a natural burial ground means

A natural burial ground is a burial site where human remains are returned to nature as naturally as possible. The concept has arisen from growing environmental awareness and the wish to leave a smaller ecological footprint even after death.

Basic principles

Naturalness: burial takes place in a way that supports natural processes
Minimalism: as few man-made structures as possible
Biodegradability: all materials decompose naturally
Ecology: the area maintains or improves biodiversity
Peace: a natural burial ground is a peaceful place for remembrance

What a natural burial ground is not

Not a traditional cemetery with headstones and lawns
Not an illegal burial site – this is a regulated activity
Not just the scattering of ashes in nature – that is a different matter
Not necessarily religious or non-religious – open to all

History

The first modern natural burial ground was established in Carlisle, England, in 1993
The movement has grown rapidly, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany
In the Nordic countries, interest has grown from the 2010s onwards
In Finland, the discussion is ongoing, but there are no actual natural burial grounds yet

Differences from a traditional cemetery

A natural burial ground differs from a traditional cemetery in many ways.

Physical environment

Feature	Traditional cemetery	Natural burial ground
Landscape	Maintained lawn, plantings	Forest, meadow, natural state
Headstones	Stone or metal plaque	No headstones or only natural stone
Maintenance	Regular mechanical care	Nature's own processes
Marking	Clear rows and plots	GPS coordinates, tree plantings

Burial method

Coffin: biodegradable (willow, cardboard, bamboo, untreated wood) and not lacquered or fitted with metal parts
Shroud: an alternative to a coffin – the deceased is wrapped in natural fabric
No embalming: chemicals are not used in the treatment of the deceased
Grave depth: shallower than traditional – promotes natural decomposition
No concrete: burial vaults or foundation walls are not built

Memorials

A living tree or shrub as a grave marker
A natural stone without engraving or with minimal marking
A shared memorial plaque at the edge of the area
A digital memorial service (QR code, GPS coordinates)
No traditional headstones

The situation in Finland

In Finland, natural burial grounds are still at the development stage.

Current legislation

The Burial Act (457/2003) regulates burial activities in Finland:

Burial must take place in a designated cemetery
The cemetery is usually maintained by a parish or municipality
Scattering ashes in nature is permitted with the landowner's permission
Coffin burial in nature is not permitted without cemetery status

Nearest alternatives in Finland

Memorial grove:

A memorial grove is a cemetery area where ashes are placed without a headstone
More nature-friendly than a traditional grave site
No personal memorial – a shared memorial stone or plaque
Maintenance is the cemetery's responsibility

Scattering ashes in nature:

Scattering ashes on one's own land or in nature with the landowner's permission
Does not require cemetery status
Family members can choose a meaningful location
No official memorial

Ecological burial:

A biodegradable coffin in a traditional cemetery
Environmentally friendly materials
Already possible in many cemeteries

Development trends

Discussion about establishing natural burial grounds is ongoing
The Evangelical Lutheran Church has studied the possibilities
Municipalities can establish non-denominational cemeteries
Legislative reform could open new possibilities

Environmental benefits

Natural burial grounds offer significant environmental benefits.

Reducing chemicals

No embalming chemicals (formaldehyde and other toxic substances)
No pesticides for lawn maintenance
No fertilisers
No metals from coffins and headstones

Saving resources

Traditional burial consumes significant resources:

Headstone: quarrying, transport, processing
Coffin: quality wood, lacquer, metal fittings
Concrete: burial vaults and foundations
Maintenance: fuel for machines, water for irrigation

Natural burial minimises these:

Biodegradable coffin or shroud
No concrete structures
Utilising nature's own processes
Little or no mechanical maintenance

Biodiversity

Natural burial grounds can serve as nature conservation areas:

Forest areas remain undeveloped
Meadow areas provide habitats for pollinators
Tree plantings increase carbon sinks
Areas can serve as wildlife refuges
Conservation status prevents changes in land use

Carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of natural burial is significantly smaller:

No industrial processes (stone quarrying, metal production)
Fewer transports
No mechanical maintenance
Tree plantings sequester carbon
Total emissions are a fraction of traditional burial

International examples

Natural burial grounds are already an established practice worldwide.

United Kingdom

Over 300 natural burial grounds – the most in the world
The first opened in Carlisle in 1993
The Association of Natural Burial Grounds oversees quality
The burial grounds are often forest or meadow areas
Many are community-owned

Germany

Friedwälder and RuheForst are well-known woodland burial ground chains
Ashes are placed at the base of a tree in a biodegradable urn
The tree serves as a natural memorial
Families can "adopt" a tree
The concept is extremely popular – tens of thousands of burials annually

United States

The Green Burial Council certifies natural burial grounds
Three levels: hybrid, natural, conservation
Conservation-level burial grounds protect land permanently
A growing trend, particularly in coastal areas and university cities

Sweden

Skogskyrkogården in Stockholm is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a cemetery in a forest
Nature-friendly memorial groves in many localities
Scattering ashes in nature is common and accepted
In the Nordic context, closest to Finland's situation

Switzerland

The FriedWald concept for woodland burial
Ashes are buried at the base of a tree
Popular especially in German-speaking Switzerland

Regulations and legislation

Establishing a natural burial ground in Finland requires legislative consideration.

Current legislation

The Burial Act (457/2003) requires that burial takes place in a cemetery
Establishing a cemetery requires a permit from the regional state administrative agency
The cemetery maintainer is responsible for the care of the area after burial
Scattering ashes in nature is not regulated by the Burial Act but is permitted with the landowner's consent

Possible development paths

Reform of the Burial Act could enable natural burial grounds
Municipalities or private communities could establish natural burial grounds
Parishes could reserve parts of existing cemeteries for natural burial
Pilot projects could test the concept in practice

Requirements

Establishing a natural burial ground would require:

Assessment of the area's suitability (soil, groundwater, location)
A permit under the Burial Act
A plan for the long-term care of the area
A burial registration system
An environmental impact assessment

A growing trend

Interest in natural burial grounds is growing globally – including in Finland.

Why interest is growing

Environmental awareness: people want to reduce their ecological footprint even in death
Individuality: traditional cemeteries do not suit everyone
Connection with nature: woodland burial feels more natural than a concrete field
Costs: natural burial can be less expensive (no headstone, no foundations)
Spirituality: returning to nature aligns with many people's worldview

The future in Finland

Societal discussion is ongoing
Burial culture is becoming more diverse – there is demand for new options
Legislative reform is possible with political will
Nordic examples (especially Sweden) can serve as models
Pilot projects could be launched within the next decade

Natural Burial Ground – Ecological Burial on Nature's Terms

Frequently asked questions

Read also

See also from other topics

Sources

City guides