Our climate promise
Every cremation and memorial service includes our climate promise to protect nature.
Offsetting cremation’s impact with purpose
Every cremation emits carbon. Carbon-neutral cremation means facing that fact: we measure it, offset it, and record it.
We calculate the full carbon footprint of each cremation. No rounding down.
We select verified environmental programs that match the measured impact.
Every cremation with Better Place is offset, on record and traceable.
Your values don’t have to end
Traditional burial carries an environmental footprint that’s easy to overlook. Cremation can reduce that impact. Carbon-neutral cremation goes further.
Traditional Burial
- Land use and maintenance
- Concrete vault required
- Highly toxic embalming chemicals
- Non-biodegradable materials
Traditional Cremation
- No land use
- Emissions produced during process
- No toxic embalming chemicals
- Smaller overall carbon footprint
Carbon-Neutral Cremation
- No land use
- No toxic embalming chemicals
- Emissions measured and fully offset
- Most responsible, eco-friendly choice
How we measure
Every emission counted, no rounding down
Most cremation and funeral providers don’t calculate their footprint. We do. How you do this matters.
Verified offsets, every cremation
We balance cremation emissions by supporting projects that capture equal amounts of carbon or greater. Credits are retired in your loved one’s name.
Landfill methane capture
Methane from landfills is far more potent than CO₂. These projects capture and destroy it before it reaches the atmosphere.
Refrigerator destruction
Older refrigerators and industrial systems
contain gases far more harmful than CO₂.
These projects collect and destroy them.
Biochar sequestration
Plant material is heated without oxygen to create biochar, a stable form of carbon that stores CO₂ for centuries in soil while improving soil health.
What we don’t do
We don’t double‑count. Our forest conservation and grief‑in‑nature programs at our partner sites are funded separately and not counted toward the carbon offsets.
Transparent, traceable, and on record
We retire our credits through Cool Effect, a nonprofit that vets science-backed climate projects.
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Project transparency
Clear descriptions, methods, and pricing help families understand exactly where their impact goes. -
Verified quality
Every project meets independent certification standards with full documentation and 3rd-party review. -
Personalized certified
We offset each cremation service and provide a downloadable certificate in your loved one's name.
Memorial Trees Protect Land
More than a memorial.
A conservation act.
Each of our nine Memorial Forests is cared for through long-term stewardship—actively managed and ecologically maintained.
When ashes return to the earth, they become part of a living forest. Your memorial doesn’t just rest in nature. It helps safeguard it.
Forest Stewardship
Long-term care of each forest: ecological monitoring, trail maintenance, and ongoing access for all families.
Minimal Footprint
No concrete vaults, no embalming chemicals, minimal development. Our process honors the earth.
Wildlife Corridors
Our forests connect to broader ecological networks, creating safe passage for at-risk wildlife species.
Talk to a Guide, 24/7
When you’re ready, we’re here.
Explore at your own pace
See the two ways families honor a life.
Questions?
We're here to help.
Is cremation “zero‑emission”?
No. Cremation has an impact. Our commitment is to balance that impact with verified projects and to invest in the forests where people grieve and remember.
Can you retire credits in my loved one’s name?
Yes. We personalize the retirement and provide a certificate for your records.
Do you only use one type of project?
We start with highly reliable categories (methane capture and ODS destruction) and add nature‑aligned removals (biochar) as they’re available.
Where can I learn more about the projects?
Ask your Guide for the current project sheets, or visit our partner Cool Effect for detailed, public project pages.
What does it mean to provide carbon-neutral cremation?
While traditional cremation is already more environmentally friendly than burial, carbon-neutral options take it a step further by using carbon offsets to balance out the emissions from the cremation process. It’s a way to honor your environmental values even in your final farewell.
What is the most environmentally friendly cremation?
Soil cremation, also called natural organic reduction, is the most eco-friendly cremation option. It produces less than 20kg of CO₂ (compared to over 500kg for traditional burial) and yields nutrient-rich earth that can support new life. See Cremation Options
How much CO2 does cremation produce?
Carbon emissions come from two main sources during flame cremation: the burning of the body and the casket and the fuel to transport the body, which combined yields a ~0.26 metric tons of CO₂ footprint. Better Place offsets this and does even better by ensuring a safety margin of 10%.
