9 Reasons Millennials Are Choosing Green Burial

A Wildflower Funeral Concepts blog post

Millennials are reshaping everything from the workplace to the housing market — so it’s no surprise they’re also rethinking what it means to die well.

At Wildflower Funeral Concepts, we’ve seen a noticeable shift: more and more people in their 30s and 40s are asking about green burial, aquamation, terramation, and funeral pre-planning. And they're not doing it the way their parents did.

Here’s why we think millennials are leading the charge toward more conscious, eco-friendly farewells:

1. Climate Anxiety Is Real

Millennials grew up watching glaciers melt and forests burn. For many, choosing a green burial, terramation, or aquamation is a way to leave gently, with the least environmental impact possible. It’s a final act of ecological responsibility — and hope.

2. Embalming? No, Thank You.

The idea of pumping the body with formaldehyde and sealing it in a steel casket under concrete just doesn’t sit right for a generation raised on organic food and sustainable living. Let’ just skip all of that. Simple. Natural. Honest.

3. Nature Feels Sacred (Not Just Religious)

You don’t have to be religious to find deep meaning in being laid to rest beneath a tree or returning to the soil. Many millennials find peace in the idea of becoming part of the earth again — in a meadow, forest, or conservation burial site.

4. It’s Less Expensive

Let’s be real — funeral costs are steep. Green funeral options can be simpler and less expensive than traditional funerals. That matters to a generation grappling with student debt, rising living costs, and the financial reality of life (and death).

5. They’re Questioning Traditions

Millennials aren’t afraid to challenge “how it’s always been done.” Whether it’s questioning legacy institutions or rethinking the meaning of success, this generation wants authenticity. That extends to death, too.

6. They Talk About Death More Openly

Death isn’t a taboo topic for millennials — it’s a podcast. It’s a meme. It’s a playlist. This generation is more willing to talk about dying, plan ahead, and make intentional choices about what happens to their bodies.

7. They Value Transparency

Millennials want to know where things come from, how they’re made, and who’s behind the scenes. Alternative funeral options offer a level of transparency that traditional funeral industry practices often lack.

8. They’re Thinking Communally

We see it again and again — millennials aren’t just planning for themselves. They’re thinking about how their deaths affect their partners, families, and even the planet. Green burial, terramation, and aquamation are about community legacy, not just personal preference.

9. They Want a Life — and Death — with Purpose

Whether it’s starting a nonprofit, buying secondhand, or composting food scraps, millennials are drawn to purpose. Choosing a sustainable option for handling their body is one more way to align their values with how they live — and how they leave.

At Wildflower Funeral Concepts, we believe every generation brings something beautiful to the table. Millennials are reminding us that funerals don’t have to be cold, expensive, or synthetic. They can be natural, meaningful, and kind — to the planet and the people left behind.

Want to talk about green burial, aquamation, or terramation? We’d love to walk you through it.

About Wildflower Funeral Concepts

Wildflower Funeral Concepts is a modern, eco-friendly funeral home located in the heart of Ferndale, Washington — proudly serving families across Whatcom County and beyond. We specialize in green burial, aquamation, terramation (natural organic reduction), and sustainable cremation services. Whether you’re seeking funeral pre-planning, compassionate grief support, or thoughtful guidance through loss, we’re here with kindness, integrity, and a deep sense of community. From veterans services to natural farewells rooted in love and ecology, Wildflower offers a new way to honor life — gently, honestly, and consciously.