Natural Burial Costs
Choosing natural burial at Bluestem honors your or your loved one’s memory and supports the permanent protection, restoration and operation of its 87 acres.
Every person choosing to be buried at Bluestem purchases an interment right. Different from conventional cemeteries, individuals do not own a plot. They own a reserved right to be buried at Bluestem. 

In a conservation cemetery, interment rights are arranged by appointment only. Individuals are accompanied by Bluestem staff to select and reserve a preferred spot in the forest, grassland or woodland edge natural burial areas. Click the link and you will be redirected to our webpage that identifies and describes the 4 burial areas currently open for reservations and burial. 


COSTS FOR BURIAL AT BLUESTEM 
2025 burial fees are reflected below.
Full-Body Natural Burial            $5300
Ash Burial                                   $2350
The Bluestem Community Fund offers assistance for a natural burial at Bluestem. It does not provide assistance for ash burials. To learn more about the Fund and eligibility requirements, please ​click here or contact Bluestem staff.  
Burial costs at Bluestem consist of two elements:
 
  • The Interment Right is like a reservation, ensuring the opportunity for you to be buried at Bluestem. It includes the grave marker, gravestone, cemetery registry; and a contribution to Bluestem’s perpetual care fund and land conservation fund. Two people may be buried in the same natural burial plot, each purchases their own interment right. Rights are purchased upfront.
  • The Burial Fees cover the selection of a gravesite, preparing the conservation area, opening the grave and readying it for burial, use of Bluestem for services, support in  closing the grave, and the notice of burial. These fees are paid at the time of burial.

Here's a breakdown of the costs:

Full-Body Natural Burial: $5,300
Interment Rights: $4,000
Fees: $1,300
 
Ash Burial: $2,350
Interment Rights: $1,700
Fees: $650

Burial plans can be made ahead of time (future planning) or at the time of death (immediate-need). Click here for the Green Burial Council's advice on how to plan for natural burial.

While our priority is human burial, arrangements can be made for natural pet burial in an owner's paid plot. Please contact one of our co-directors, Heidi Hannapel or Jeff Masten, to discuss your options.
We’re here when you’re ready to talk about natural burial at Bluestem.

Interment Rights and Burial Fees are reviewed annually by Bluestem Community’s Council of Stewards.
​2025 Rates and Fees are reflected above. They were revised on 12/31/24.