See La Puerta Rules and Regs page to review the policies for La Puerta Natural Burial Ground
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Natural Burial?
Natural burial is a gentle return to the earth without the use of embalming fluids, vaults or hardwood/metal caskets. Natural fiber shrouds or biodegradable coffins are used as containers for lowering into the grave. The Green Burial Council provides a number of resources about green burial as well as natural burial on their website: https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
What is required for burial at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground?
We require four things to be purchased for burial at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground:
1) A plot
2) Opening and closing of the grave
3) A biodegradable container
4) Maintenance and Conservation Fee (one time)
*Note that a death certificate must be in process through a funeral home, or fully filed and obtained if done by the family prior to burial.
Can I arrange for burial services in advance?
Yes, you may secure the burial plot, burial container, and maintenance and conservation fee in advance. However, the fee for opening and closing of the grave can only be paid at the time of need, or if the death is imminent (e.g. the person is on hospice).
How do I secure burial arrangements with Natural Burial New Mexico at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground?
To secure burial arrangements for yourself or a recently deceased loved one, please go to our contact page, fill out your contact information, and request an intake form for pre-need or at-need burial arrangements in the comments box. We will email you the appropriate form to start the process of securing burial arrangements.
How quickly does a burial have to happen with a natural burial?
Funeral homes can cold store a body for weeks prior to a natural burial without embalming. New Mexico law requires that either a burial occur, or the body is refrigerated or cooled within 24 hours after death.
Do I have to use a funeral home?
New Mexico is one of 40+ states that legally allows families to be in charge of every step of a loved one’s burial without using a funeral home. The state calls this type of burial, "home funeral" or "home burial." This option requires that the family take on the responsibilities typically done by a funeral director, such as reporting the death by obtaining a death certificate prior to burial, preparing the body and placing it into a shroud or container, planning a service or ceremony, and transportation to the burial site. We have created a document that describes the difference between using a funeral home and doing a home funeral, which can be found on our Natural Burial page. You can also find resources about home funerals at the Home Funeral Alliance website.
Using a funeral home for basic services, such as transportation from place of death to a refrigerated morgue until burial, basic body care and shrouding, and death certificate processing does relieve the family of taking on those responsibilities, and sometimes may be necessary depending on the scenario and what the family is comfortable doing themselves. We work with any funeral home that agrees to our requirements of no embalming and biodegradable containers.
Do I have to be buried in a container, or can I just be wrapped in a blanket?
Yes, we need to have the body in a shroud, willow carrier, or biodegradable casket that has secure, weight-tested handles. This ensures that we can safely and respectfully lower the body into the grave. We strongly suggest using the containers that we offer on our website because they meet our quality and ethical standards, and they are sturdy enough to ensure a graceful and respectful transfer.
Can I make my own shroud?
While it is not explicitly prohibited to use a shroud made by you or someone else, we strongly suggest using the shrouds that we provide because they meet our quality and ethical standards, and they are sturdy enough to ensure a graceful and respectful transfer into the grave. If you do choose to make your own shroud, we require that it has at least 6 handles that can hold your weight, and it must be able be wrapped fully around you and secured with ties. We reserve the right to refuse to use a shroud that we feel will not be safe or secure to carry or lower a body in.
Can I be buried in clothes of my own choosing?
Yes, you may be buried in clothes or shoes of your choosing or without any clothes. It is a personal decision. We have allowed people to be buried in belts that have a metal buckle, but we ask that clothing be biodegradable within reason.
Do you provide funeral services at the graveside?
Family and friends are responsible for organizing and conducting any ceremonies or funeral services at the graveside and for providing any food or drinks for attendees. Family is also responsible for arranging clergy or celebrant of their choice if they choose to have a religious service. We have a worksheet that you can use to help plan a burial service if you wish. You can find and download that worksheet on our Natural Burial page.
Flowers or other biodegradable items may be placed on the body in the burial container, put into the grave, or placed on the grave after it has been closed. We ask that no plastic or metal items are placed in or on top of the grave.
Any trash must be taken with you, as there are no trash bins onsite.
How do I plan for a burial service for my loved one? What should a burial service look like?
Burial services are as varied as the people who are involved in the process. A burial service should be whatever those who are present to honor their loved one needs in that moment. We have put together a Burial Planning Worksheet that is meant to help families organize ideas for how they want the burial services to look. You can find and download that worksheet on our Natural Burial page.
What types of facilities are available at La Puerta?
There is a large gazebo and covered pole barn that can be used for gatherings in inclement weather. We also have 12 chairs available for seating, if requested. A compost toilet is available on site.
Are headstones allowed to be placed on graves?
Yes, headstones that we have determined meet our green burial standards are allowed to be placed on graves. Every headstone must first be approved by us prior to purchase or placement. Any headstone that does not meet our green burial standards may be removed at the discretion of cemetery management. All headstones must be made of natural stone, they cannot be polished, they must lay flat on the ground, and they must not be larger than 20” X 20”. Natural Burial New Mexico does provide custom engraved headstones for purchase. You can initiate that process by completing our Headstone Order Form.
Can we decorate our loved one’s grave?
As a certified green burial ground through the Green Burial Council, there are strict guidelines that must be met for grave decorations and/or memorials. These restrictions are meant to ensure that we are minimizing our impact on the land, and keeping with our mission to protect and preserve the native ecosystem. You may place flowers (remove any plastic, Styrofoam, or glass) or small stones on graves at anytime without having to request permission. However, if you would like to decorate a loved one's grave with more permanent stones or plants, you must submit your plans for approval through completing this online form:
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS HEADSTONE/DECORATION APPROVAL REQUEST FORM
Decorations that do not meet the standards of our certification will be removed at the discretion of the cemetery management. You can see a more detailed description of rules for decorations in our Rules and Regulations page.
If I buy a burial plot in advance can I get my money back if I move out of state?
We cannot give refunds; however, you may sell or donate the burial plot and other pre-arrangements to someone else. You must inform us of this transfer so we can prepare the proper documentation. There is a $100 administration fee for preparing and filing the transfer of ownership paperwork within our cemetery management system.
Can I still be buried at La Puerta if I die when I am traveling out of state or out of the country?
Yes, you may. The death certificate will need to be completed and filed in the state where you pass away prior to your body being shipped back to NM. All major airlines ship double-bagged bodies as cargo without embalming. Prices vary. You will need to use a funeral home if you die out of state or out of the country for transportation to the airline and to assist with the death certificate.
What happens if I have pre-arranged with NBNM and I die in a car accident or die unexpectedly at home?
An accidental or unexpected death results in the body going to OMI (Office of Medical Investigator) where cause of death is determined and the body is kept in refrigeration until the investigation is completed and then the body is released to the family or a funeral home for final disposition. The family or funeral home would then coordinate with NBNM to schedule the burial services.
What if I don’t have next-of-kin who will take charge of my burial; or what if I don’t trust that my wishes for a natural burial will be followed by my next-of-kin?
You may legally appoint a friend or neighbor, or any willing person to be in charge of your final arrangements after your death. This person is called a Designated Agent for Funeral Arrangements. We can email a document to you that will need to be signed by you and your Designated Agent, and it must also be signed by two independent witnesses. The state of NM does not require that this document be notarized.
Note that New Mexico does not recognize common-law marriages or cohabitation. If you would like a partner to complete your end-of-life wishes and you are not legally married or you do not have a domestic partnership agreement in place from a different state, you must complete a designated agent form to legally designate them as your chosen funeral agent.
Am I allowed to choose my burial spot?
In order to minimize impact on the land, NBNM opens one acre at a time for burial, so the exact location is usually not specified until time of death unless a family plot is secured in the family section (multiple plots would need to be secured at the same time).
Can my spouse or significant other and I be buried next to each other?
If side by side graves are pre-arranged, the first to pass determines where the grave will be, and the adjacent grave is then designated for the surviving spouse, or significant other, or friend.
Can I be buried next to my pet?
NBNM has a separate pet cemetery; however, you may choose to be buried next to your pet in the family section. You would need to purchase a separate plot for your pet in addition to yours in the family section.
Can the cremains of a loved one or pet be buried with me?
Cremains of loved ones or pets may be buried with a person at the time of burial. An administrative fee would be added for the documentation of the interment. Pet cremains would not require an administration fee. Cremains must be in a biodegradable container or scattered directly into the grave prior to closing the grave.
Are there sections of La Puerta that have been consecrated or blessed?
Yes, we have a Jewish consecrated section as well as a Catholic consecrated section in addition to our General and Family sections.
Have there been any problems with vandalism of graves at La Puerta?
No, we have not had that problem. Although the gates are never locked, they are kept closed at all times.
Can NBNM exhume a body after burial for relocation to another state or area?
No. Family would have to secure a funeral home to follow state exhuming guidelines.
What is Natural Burial?
Natural burial is a gentle return to the earth without the use of embalming fluids, vaults or hardwood/metal caskets. Natural fiber shrouds or biodegradable coffins are used as containers for lowering into the grave. The Green Burial Council provides a number of resources about green burial as well as natural burial on their website: https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
What is required for burial at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground?
We require four things to be purchased for burial at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground:
1) A plot
2) Opening and closing of the grave
3) A biodegradable container
4) Maintenance and Conservation Fee (one time)
*Note that a death certificate must be in process through a funeral home, or fully filed and obtained if done by the family prior to burial.
Can I arrange for burial services in advance?
Yes, you may secure the burial plot, burial container, and maintenance and conservation fee in advance. However, the fee for opening and closing of the grave can only be paid at the time of need, or if the death is imminent (e.g. the person is on hospice).
How do I secure burial arrangements with Natural Burial New Mexico at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground?
To secure burial arrangements for yourself or a recently deceased loved one, please go to our contact page, fill out your contact information, and request an intake form for pre-need or at-need burial arrangements in the comments box. We will email you the appropriate form to start the process of securing burial arrangements.
How quickly does a burial have to happen with a natural burial?
Funeral homes can cold store a body for weeks prior to a natural burial without embalming. New Mexico law requires that either a burial occur, or the body is refrigerated or cooled within 24 hours after death.
Do I have to use a funeral home?
New Mexico is one of 40+ states that legally allows families to be in charge of every step of a loved one’s burial without using a funeral home. The state calls this type of burial, "home funeral" or "home burial." This option requires that the family take on the responsibilities typically done by a funeral director, such as reporting the death by obtaining a death certificate prior to burial, preparing the body and placing it into a shroud or container, planning a service or ceremony, and transportation to the burial site. We have created a document that describes the difference between using a funeral home and doing a home funeral, which can be found on our Natural Burial page. You can also find resources about home funerals at the Home Funeral Alliance website.
Using a funeral home for basic services, such as transportation from place of death to a refrigerated morgue until burial, basic body care and shrouding, and death certificate processing does relieve the family of taking on those responsibilities, and sometimes may be necessary depending on the scenario and what the family is comfortable doing themselves. We work with any funeral home that agrees to our requirements of no embalming and biodegradable containers.
Do I have to be buried in a container, or can I just be wrapped in a blanket?
Yes, we need to have the body in a shroud, willow carrier, or biodegradable casket that has secure, weight-tested handles. This ensures that we can safely and respectfully lower the body into the grave. We strongly suggest using the containers that we offer on our website because they meet our quality and ethical standards, and they are sturdy enough to ensure a graceful and respectful transfer.
Can I make my own shroud?
While it is not explicitly prohibited to use a shroud made by you or someone else, we strongly suggest using the shrouds that we provide because they meet our quality and ethical standards, and they are sturdy enough to ensure a graceful and respectful transfer into the grave. If you do choose to make your own shroud, we require that it has at least 6 handles that can hold your weight, and it must be able be wrapped fully around you and secured with ties. We reserve the right to refuse to use a shroud that we feel will not be safe or secure to carry or lower a body in.
Can I be buried in clothes of my own choosing?
Yes, you may be buried in clothes or shoes of your choosing or without any clothes. It is a personal decision. We have allowed people to be buried in belts that have a metal buckle, but we ask that clothing be biodegradable within reason.
Do you provide funeral services at the graveside?
Family and friends are responsible for organizing and conducting any ceremonies or funeral services at the graveside and for providing any food or drinks for attendees. Family is also responsible for arranging clergy or celebrant of their choice if they choose to have a religious service. We have a worksheet that you can use to help plan a burial service if you wish. You can find and download that worksheet on our Natural Burial page.
Flowers or other biodegradable items may be placed on the body in the burial container, put into the grave, or placed on the grave after it has been closed. We ask that no plastic or metal items are placed in or on top of the grave.
Any trash must be taken with you, as there are no trash bins onsite.
How do I plan for a burial service for my loved one? What should a burial service look like?
Burial services are as varied as the people who are involved in the process. A burial service should be whatever those who are present to honor their loved one needs in that moment. We have put together a Burial Planning Worksheet that is meant to help families organize ideas for how they want the burial services to look. You can find and download that worksheet on our Natural Burial page.
What types of facilities are available at La Puerta?
There is a large gazebo and covered pole barn that can be used for gatherings in inclement weather. We also have 12 chairs available for seating, if requested. A compost toilet is available on site.
Are headstones allowed to be placed on graves?
Yes, headstones that we have determined meet our green burial standards are allowed to be placed on graves. Every headstone must first be approved by us prior to purchase or placement. Any headstone that does not meet our green burial standards may be removed at the discretion of cemetery management. All headstones must be made of natural stone, they cannot be polished, they must lay flat on the ground, and they must not be larger than 20” X 20”. Natural Burial New Mexico does provide custom engraved headstones for purchase. You can initiate that process by completing our Headstone Order Form.
Can we decorate our loved one’s grave?
As a certified green burial ground through the Green Burial Council, there are strict guidelines that must be met for grave decorations and/or memorials. These restrictions are meant to ensure that we are minimizing our impact on the land, and keeping with our mission to protect and preserve the native ecosystem. You may place flowers (remove any plastic, Styrofoam, or glass) or small stones on graves at anytime without having to request permission. However, if you would like to decorate a loved one's grave with more permanent stones or plants, you must submit your plans for approval through completing this online form:
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS HEADSTONE/DECORATION APPROVAL REQUEST FORM
Decorations that do not meet the standards of our certification will be removed at the discretion of the cemetery management. You can see a more detailed description of rules for decorations in our Rules and Regulations page.
If I buy a burial plot in advance can I get my money back if I move out of state?
We cannot give refunds; however, you may sell or donate the burial plot and other pre-arrangements to someone else. You must inform us of this transfer so we can prepare the proper documentation. There is a $100 administration fee for preparing and filing the transfer of ownership paperwork within our cemetery management system.
Can I still be buried at La Puerta if I die when I am traveling out of state or out of the country?
Yes, you may. The death certificate will need to be completed and filed in the state where you pass away prior to your body being shipped back to NM. All major airlines ship double-bagged bodies as cargo without embalming. Prices vary. You will need to use a funeral home if you die out of state or out of the country for transportation to the airline and to assist with the death certificate.
What happens if I have pre-arranged with NBNM and I die in a car accident or die unexpectedly at home?
An accidental or unexpected death results in the body going to OMI (Office of Medical Investigator) where cause of death is determined and the body is kept in refrigeration until the investigation is completed and then the body is released to the family or a funeral home for final disposition. The family or funeral home would then coordinate with NBNM to schedule the burial services.
What if I don’t have next-of-kin who will take charge of my burial; or what if I don’t trust that my wishes for a natural burial will be followed by my next-of-kin?
You may legally appoint a friend or neighbor, or any willing person to be in charge of your final arrangements after your death. This person is called a Designated Agent for Funeral Arrangements. We can email a document to you that will need to be signed by you and your Designated Agent, and it must also be signed by two independent witnesses. The state of NM does not require that this document be notarized.
Note that New Mexico does not recognize common-law marriages or cohabitation. If you would like a partner to complete your end-of-life wishes and you are not legally married or you do not have a domestic partnership agreement in place from a different state, you must complete a designated agent form to legally designate them as your chosen funeral agent.
Am I allowed to choose my burial spot?
In order to minimize impact on the land, NBNM opens one acre at a time for burial, so the exact location is usually not specified until time of death unless a family plot is secured in the family section (multiple plots would need to be secured at the same time).
Can my spouse or significant other and I be buried next to each other?
If side by side graves are pre-arranged, the first to pass determines where the grave will be, and the adjacent grave is then designated for the surviving spouse, or significant other, or friend.
Can I be buried next to my pet?
NBNM has a separate pet cemetery; however, you may choose to be buried next to your pet in the family section. You would need to purchase a separate plot for your pet in addition to yours in the family section.
Can the cremains of a loved one or pet be buried with me?
Cremains of loved ones or pets may be buried with a person at the time of burial. An administrative fee would be added for the documentation of the interment. Pet cremains would not require an administration fee. Cremains must be in a biodegradable container or scattered directly into the grave prior to closing the grave.
Are there sections of La Puerta that have been consecrated or blessed?
Yes, we have a Jewish consecrated section as well as a Catholic consecrated section in addition to our General and Family sections.
Have there been any problems with vandalism of graves at La Puerta?
No, we have not had that problem. Although the gates are never locked, they are kept closed at all times.
Can NBNM exhume a body after burial for relocation to another state or area?
No. Family would have to secure a funeral home to follow state exhuming guidelines.