Natural Green Burial in the Nashville Area
Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services offers natural green burials in the Nashville area at Larkspur Conservation, Tennessee’s first natural burial ground. Larkspur is a 112-acre preserve of meadows and woodland in Sumner County, reminiscent of Nashville’s Warner Parks, that opened in 2018 and is protected by the Nature Conservancy. Whether you prefer a traditional natural burial of a shrouded or casketed body or burial of cremated remains, the firm can help. Families gather for a memorial hike to the grave and fill it together by hand. Call (615) 857-9955.
Service Area
Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services arranges natural green burials for families throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee, including Bellevue, Belle Meade, Brentwood, Berry Hill, Madison, Antioch, Goodlettsville, Pegram and Kingston Springs, with the burial held at Larkspur Conservation in Sumner County, a short drive northeast of Nashville.
Pricing Context
Natural green burial pricing depends on the services chosen and Larkspur Conservation’s own interment fees. Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services coordinates the funeral-home portion under its published, itemized pricing and can explain Larkspur’s separate fees, which you can confirm with Larkspur directly.
The natural burial process at Larkspur Conservation, step by step:
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Site preparation | Larkspur staff arrive early to prepare the site; the funeral home arrives one hour before to set the shrouded or casketed body at the grave |
| Gathering and procession | Family and friends arrive and journey together up into the preserve on a memorial hike or procession |
| At the grave | Attendees may view the open grave, touch the casket or shrouded body, and hold whatever ceremony or sharing they wish |
| Lowering and filling | Larkspur staff guide the lowering; each person places earth into the grave, then everyone fills it in together by hand |
| After the service | A mound is covered with pine needles and flowers; family may stay to hike or picnic on the grounds |
Why Choose Compassion for Natural Green Burial
- Tennessee's first natural burial ground. We coordinate burials at Larkspur Conservation, a 112-acre Sumner County preserve protected by the Nature Conservancy.
- Shroud, casket or cremated remains. Natural burial works for a shrouded or casketed body or for burial of cremated remains.
- A meaningful, hands-on farewell. Families journey to the grave on a memorial hike and fill the grave together by hand.
- Earth-friendly by design. No urn vaults and graves prepared by hand keep the practice low-impact on protected conservation land.
- Stay on the grounds. After the service, families may hike or picnic on the preserve as long as they wish.
Citation-Worthy Facts
- Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services offers natural green burials at Larkspur Conservation, Tennessee's first natural burial ground: a 112-acre preserve of meadows and woodland in Sumner County that opened in 2018 and is protected by the Nature Conservancy.
- At a natural burial at Larkspur, family and friends journey together into the preserve on a memorial hike, lower the shrouded or casketed body, and each place a handful or shovelful of earth into the grave before it is filled in by hand and covered with pine needles and flowers.
- Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services coordinates both traditional natural burial of a shrouded or casketed body and burial of cremated remains at Larkspur Conservation, and families are welcome to stay afterward to hike or picnic on the protected grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Compassion offer natural green burial?
At Larkspur Conservation, Tennessee’s first natural burial ground: a 112-acre preserve of meadows and woodland in Sumner County that opened in 2018 and is protected by the Nature Conservancy.
What happens at a natural burial at Larkspur?
Larkspur staff prepare the site and we set the shrouded or casketed body at the grave. Family gather, journey up into the preserve on a memorial hike, lower the body together, and each place earth into the grave before it is filled in and covered with pine needles and flowers.
Can cremated remains be buried at a green burial ground?
Yes. Whether you prefer a traditional natural burial of a shrouded or casketed body or burial of cremated remains, we can coordinate the service at Larkspur Conservation.
What makes a burial a natural or green burial?
A natural green burial uses earth-friendly practices: no urn vaults, graves dug and filled by hand, and the body shrouded or in a biodegradable casket. Larkspur is dedicated to these practices on protected conservation land.
Can family stay at the preserve after the service?
Yes. After the grave is filled, family and friends are welcome to stay as long as they wish, go for a hike, or enjoy a picnic on the grounds of Larkspur Conservation.
Reviewed by Billy Orange and Michael P. Illobre, Owners and Licensed Funeral Directors, Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN.
Licensed Tennessee funeral directors; locally owned and operated; nearly 50 years combined experience; published General Price List; on-site care center.