Top 6 Green Burial & Eco-Friendly Funeral Options in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa families interested in a gentler, more sustainable farewell have more options nearby than most people realize. Green burial, along with newer eco-friendly alternatives like terramation and water cremation, is becoming a genuine option rather than a niche request. This list covers six green and eco-friendly funeral options available to Costa Mesa families.
This list covers six green burial and eco-friendly funeral providers serving Costa Mesa, along with what makes each option genuinely sustainable.
1. Farrington Mortuary & Cremation
Farrington Mortuary offers the broadest range of eco-friendly options available to Costa Mesa families, including natural burial, human composting (terramation), and water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), alongside traditional services. Every option is priced transparently, with no embalming chemicals, metal, or concrete required for the green choices.
Families can choose a shroud or biodegradable casket for natural burial, or select terramation, which returns a loved one's remains as nutrient-rich soil over roughly 30 to 60 days. Farrington's team explains each option honestly, including the timeline and what to expect, so families can decide without pressure.
What Farrington's green burial and eco-friendly options typically include:
Natural burial with a shroud or biodegradable casket
Human composting (terramation), returning nutrient-rich soil to the family
Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), using a fraction of the energy of flame cremation
No embalming chemicals, metal, or concrete vault required
Transparent, itemized pricing
24/7 availability and online arrangement platform
Visit farringtonmortuary.com to learn more or speak with a planning coordinator.2. Costa Mesa Green Burial Society
Costa Mesa Green Burial Society focuses exclusively on natural burial, partnering with certified green cemetery sections in the surrounding area.
3. Fairview Eco Funerals
Fairview Eco Funerals combines green burial with eco-conscious memorial options, including seed paper programs and locally sourced flowers.
4. OC Natural Cremation
OC Natural Cremation specializes in water cremation, positioning it as a lower-impact alternative to traditional flame cremation for families across Orange County.
5. Harbor Terramation Services
Harbor Terramation Services offers human composting as its primary service, with an emphasis on returning usable soil for a memorial garden or tree planting.
6. Westside Sustainable Memorials
Westside Sustainable Memorials rounds out the list with a mix of natural burial and eco-conscious memorial planning, including outdoor and garden-based gatherings.
What Makes a Funeral Option Genuinely Eco-Friendly
Not every provider advertising "green" options means the same thing. A few distinctions are worth understanding.
No embalming chemicals. Traditional embalming uses formaldehyde-based fluids. Green burial and eco-friendly cremation options avoid this entirely.
Biodegradable materials only. A genuine natural burial uses a shroud or an untreated wooden casket, not a metal or heavily varnished container.
Lower energy use. Water cremation and terramation both use significantly less energy than flame cremation, which matters to families weighing environmental impact.
Certified green cemetery sections. Not every cemetery permits natural burial. Confirm the provider is working with a certified natural or green section.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Burial in Costa Mesa
Is green burial legal in Costa Mesa?
Yes. Green burial is legal in California, and cemeteries with certified natural sections are available within reach of Costa Mesa.
What is the difference between green burial and terramation?
Green burial places the body directly in the earth without embalming or a metal casket. Terramation, or human composting, uses a controlled process with wood chips and organic material to transform the body into soil over 30 to 60 days.
Is water cremation available in Costa Mesa?
Yes. Water cremation, also called alkaline hydrolysis, is legal in California and offered by some providers, including Farrington Mortuary, as a lower-impact alternative to flame cremation.
Does green burial cost more than a traditional funeral?
Usually less. Without embalming, a metal casket, or a concrete vault, green burial is often less expensive than a conventional funeral.
Can I still hold a memorial service with an eco-friendly option?
Yes. Families can hold a viewing, a graveside gathering, or a separate memorial service regardless of which eco-friendly option they choose.
Choose a Green Burial or Eco-Friendly Option in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa families have more sustainable farewell options than ever, but the range of what each provider genuinely offers varies. Of the options above, Farrington Mortuary offers the broadest selection of eco-friendly choices, from natural burial to terramation and water cremation, all with transparent pricing.
If you are considering a green burial or eco-friendly option for a loved one in the Costa Mesa area, Farrington Mortuary's team is available to help without obligation. Call (800) 674-3659 or visit farringtonmortuary.com to get started.