Skip to main content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bS6-Fh5j2I

Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve

Green Burial Cemetery

The death of a loved one is difficult to embrace. Creating a living legacy helps the healing process.

When we see death integrally entwined with life, everything changes. Green burial is an alternative to conventional practices and products, and allows for a simple, natural return to the earth in places of solace and beauty. It invites us to become part of a timeless story of restoration and renewal — one that helps heal the planet as well as those we love.

Why Choose Green Burial?

Green burial is a simple and environmentally sustainable way to honor your loved one’s wishes. While new in many ways, green burial is aligned with our most ancient rites and traditions. It respects a desire to return to nature after passing, and allows your loved one to be laid to rest without the use of chemicals. As you move through this deeply personal journey, know that green burial never limits the ways you can honor a life and leave a legacy. It only opens up possibilities.

What is Green Burial

Pre-Planning

Our Vision

Morgan Oaks provides families with natural and meaningful memorial landscapes that focus on preservation and stewardship. We are dedicated to creating beautiful and peaceful final resting spaces that are focused on restoring and protecting the natural surroundings of the existing ecosystems. Our caring staff is here to guide you every step of the way as you navigate through this difficult time, and we’re always available to review all your green burial options.

Learn More

Testimonials

Thank you Omar, Stephanie, Mario, Juan and Keith for helping my stepdad thru the whole process.

Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve helped us thru the process of laying my mom to rest yesterday 11.6.21. I thank them from the bottom of my family's heart for all that was done. Setting up, arranging, planning, and placing my mom in her grave. It means allot they take care of you when you lose someone.

Beautiful setting, wonderful staff. So blessed we were able to celebrate my father in such a spectacular resting place. Thank you all!

Our Recent Writings

Like what you see? See more posts

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Morgan Oaks staff is always available to answer your green burial questions. Here are some of the most common questions we receive.

What is green burial?

​A green burial is a traditional alternative to conventional burial that enables your body or your loved ones’ bodies to complete the cycle of returning to earth. A green burial restricts the use of chemical preservatives and potentially polluting resource intensive materials in the grave.

What kind of casket is used in a green burial?

​The body may be encased in a biodegradable coffin (often made of untreated soft wood), or a cloth shroud, and then lowered into a grave without an outer vault or container that would prevent soil contact. Conventional caskets are the main pollutant source at graveyards, and casket manufacturers are listed on the EPA’s top hazardous waste generators

How many others can be buried in the same location that I choose?

The number of burial plots at each property will depend on the characteristics of the land and our individually determined preservation/conservation requirements. Still, Morgan Oaks limit burials to a few hundred per acre—far less than the nearly 1,000 burials per acre in conventional cemeteries.

What makes Morgan Oaks property different from others?

What truly sets us apart is the fact that we have over 20 years of experience in the field of land conservation—and we’ve partnered with a team of knowledgeable experts in the green burial movement to deliver you guidance and support you can trust, no matter where you live or which location you choose for your final resting place.

Does green burial cost less than conventional burial?

Yes, green burial practices eliminate the costs of elaborate hardwood or metal caskets, concrete vaults, and embalming. Still, there are many variables including the type of memorial service, rituals and materials you may wish to use. The cost of the plot at a Morgan Oaks is for the conservation and restoration of the property. Contact the individual site for pricing information.

Why don't you permit embalming?

Conventional embalming fluid is usually comprised of the chemical formaldehyde, which has been proven to pose health risks, and is recognized as a carcinogen in certain states. A study by the National Cancer Institute released in late 2009 revealed that funeral directors have a much higher incidence of myeloid leukemia.

​As for its perceived need, it only prolongs decay slightly, but it includes additives to help provide skin tone and color to the deceased for viewing aesthetics. When used it requires the removal of various parts of the body, which often then don’t make it to the grave. There are other alternatives to preservation, the most effective being keeping the body cold.

Will placing a body directly in the earth pollute it and the groundwater?

Studies have shown that conventional cemeteries often create high levels of toxic metal (and limited chemical) contamination of soils and groundwater. The contaminants come primarily from the caskets, from wood preserves, paints, and varnishes, as well as actual metal fasteners and adornments, and to a lesser degree from embalming fluids.

If bodies are buried in biodegradable materials in areas of good soil and ecology, the existing soil chemistry, microbes, plants, and soil critters will quickly decompose the body and use it to foster new life. Studies have shown that viruses and bacteria present in a body are usually retained in the immediate soil and have limited persistence, if any. In addition the low burial density and rate allow nature to use and neutralize anything of concern.

​However, it is important to not bury in flood plains or areas with shallow water tables. While regulations vary by location, as a precaution, and for peace of mind, we follow the setback requirements for domestic septic systems.

What are my funeral options?

Morgan Oaks green burials can be compatible with virtually any type of funeral service, at your place of worship, a funeral home, your personal home, or onsite. We can help direct you to some resources if you would like more information on your options.

How do I know that a particular product is suitable for a green burial?

The Green Burial Council believes a casket, urn or shroud is suitable for a green burial if it’s made from materials/substances that are nontoxic and readily biodegradable. The GBC also requires that these products not be made from materials harvested in a manner that unnecessarily destroys habitat.

​ A list of caskets, urns and shrouds that meet these requirements, whose producers have fully disclosed material safety data sheets, can be found at the Green Burial Council’s Finding a Provider section. Individual burial sites will also have a list of approved items, and possible local sources.

What about cremation? Can we scatter our loved one's ashes at a Morgan Oaks property?

Morgan Oaks properties will accept your loved one’s cremated remains and many have designated interment and scattering areas especially for this purpose.

Our Location

Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve

Introducing our Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve located in Placer County, California. ​
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

We Are Here For You Every Step Of The Way

Learn more about our green burial options. Call us at (833) 667-4266

REQUEST INFORMATION

Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve

Introducing our Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve located in Placer County, California. ​

421 Fleming Rd, Lincoln, CA 95648