Veterans and their families sometimes assume that choosing green burial means giving up military honors, VA benefits, or the recognition a lifetime of service deserves. That’s not the case. Green burial and military honors are not mutually exclusive — and more veterans across California are choosing a natural, chemical-free return to the earth while still receiving the recognition they’ve earned.
Can Veterans Choose Green Burial and Still Receive Military Honors?
Yes. Military honors — such as a flag-folding ceremony, taps, and honor guard presence — are tied to a veteran’s service record and discharge status, not to the type of burial container or cemetery chosen. A veteran (or their family) can request military honors for a service held at a green burial ground just as they could at a conventional cemetery or national cemetery.
Families typically coordinate this through the funeral home handling arrangements, which can request honor guard support through the relevant branch of service or veterans service organization, regardless of whether the final resting place is a national cemetery, a private conventional cemetery, or a dedicated natural burial ground like Morgan Oaks.
What About VA Burial Benefits?
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers certain benefits to eligible veterans, which may include:
- A government-provided headstone or marker
- A burial flag
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate
- In some cases, burial allowances
These benefits generally apply based on eligibility criteria tied to service and discharge status — not the specific cemetery or burial method chosen. Veterans and families should confirm current eligibility and benefit details directly with the VA, since these can change and vary by individual circumstance. A private green burial ground is generally treated the same as any other private cemetery for benefit purposes, which is different from being interred at a VA national cemetery.
Why Some Veterans Are Choosing Green Burial
A natural landscape instead of uniform rows. National and many veterans’ cemeteries are known for their solemn, uniform rows of white headstones — a powerful and meaningful sight for many families. Others, however, are drawn to a different kind of memorial landscape: one with oak trees, trails, and wildflowers instead of manicured lawns, reflecting a personal connection to land and nature that some veterans carried with them from service or from life afterward.
Environmental values carried from service. Many veterans who served in outdoor, land-based roles — or who simply developed a deep respect for the land during their service — are drawn to green burial’s emphasis on conservation and ecological restoration.
A markerless or flush-marker approach. Some green burial grounds, including Morgan Oaks, use flush natural stone markers or GPS-based location records rather than upright headstones, which some veterans and families find more in keeping with a natural setting while still preserving an exact, permanent record of the resting place.
Family desire for a shared, natural gathering space. Green burial grounds are often designed as places families return to — for walks, quiet reflection, or seasonal visits — rather than solely a plot to visit on specific occasions.
What to Expect When Planning a Green Burial for a Veteran
- Coordinate with your funeral home early. Let them know both that you’re planning a green burial and that you’d like to request military honors, so they can coordinate the honor guard request alongside the burial arrangements.
- Confirm VA benefit eligibility. Reach out to the VA directly or work with your funeral home to confirm which benefits — headstone, burial flag, allowances — apply to your specific situation.
- Choose a green burial ground. Look for a cemetery, like Morgan Oaks, that follows genuine green burial standards: no embalming chemicals, no concrete vault, and only biodegradable caskets or shrouds.
- Plan the service. Military honors can be incorporated into a graveside service at a green burial ground just as they would be elsewhere — flag folding, taps, and honor guard presence are all compatible with a natural burial setting.
Morgan Oaks and Veteran Families
At Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve in Lincoln, California, we’ve had the honor of helping veteran families plan services that combine full military recognition with a natural, conservation-focused resting place. Our team can help coordinate with your funeral home to ensure military honors are part of the day, while the burial itself follows green burial practices — no embalming, no vault, and a return to the land within our preserved oak woodlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will choosing a private green burial ground affect my VA burial benefits? Most VA benefits, like a government headstone, burial flag, or burial allowance, are tied to eligibility based on service record rather than the specific cemetery chosen. Confirm your specific benefits with the VA directly, since eligibility and details vary.
Can a veteran be buried at a national cemetery with green burial practices? National cemeteries have their own established standards, which may differ from a dedicated green burial ground’s practices. Families interested in green burial specifically for a veteran typically choose a private natural burial ground like Morgan Oaks rather than a national cemetery.
Can military honors include a flag-folding ceremony at a green burial site? Yes — military honors, including flag folding and taps, can be incorporated into a graveside service at a green burial ground.
Plan a Service That Honors Both Service and Values
If you’re a veteran or a family member planning ahead, we’re glad to talk through how to combine military honors with a natural, meaningful green burial.
- 📍 Request a tour
- 📖 Explore Pre-Planning
- 📞 Call (833) 667-4266 to talk with our team
