​Requirement for Interment
Because we are a fully dedicated, natural burial ground certified with the Green Burial Council, we cannot inter embalmed bodies at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground. Any funeral home should be able to provide direct to burial services without the need for embalming, and there is no New Mexico law that requires a body to be embalmed. 

Burial Containers
A container (e.g. casket, shroud, or carrier) is required for interment of a body. We require that containers be fully biodegradable, with at least six, weight-tested handles that can be used for lowering into the grave. Certified green burial containers can be purchased through Natural Burial New Mexico. Any container purchased through another vendor or made by the family must be approved by us prior to burial. We reserve the right to refuse to use a container that we feel is unsafe or not secure enough to carry and lower a body in, as well as containers that do not meet our standards laid out here. Containers made of wood should be made of untreated softwoods (e.g. pine). Other acceptable biodegradable materials would be: natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or linen, bamboo, or willow. 

Transfer of Plot Ownership/Interment Rights
​An owner of a burial plot may transfer ownership and/or interment rights to another person of their choosing with written documentation that must be signed by the original owner, or if they have passed away without using the plot, their legal Next of Kin or legally assigned Designated Agent must sign on their behalf. The documentation must be filed with Natural Burial New Mexico management prior to burial of the person that is being given permissions to the plot.

Burial Ground Access Hours
Anyone is welcome to visit La Puerta any day of the week within daylight hours. If there is a burial in process while visiting, please respect the privacy of those gathered by keeping some distance, and do not disturb or disrupt the services being held. 

Visiting La Puerta
You do not need to make an appointment to visit La Puerta, and you are free to visit any day during daylight hours. Anyone is welcome to spend time in the burial ground, however, we reserve the right to require anyone who is not respecting the sanctity of the space, or disrupting other visitors, to leave the premises. Do not rearrange or take objects or stones that are placed on graves. Please be aware of where you are walking so you can avoid stepping on graves, and so you do not damage plants and animals. 

ALL TRASH MUST BE TAKEN WITH YOU. DO NOT THROW TRASH IN THE COMPOST TOILET.

Children at la Puerta
All children under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 

Pets at La Puerta
You are welcome to bring your friendly and well-behaved pet with you when you visit La Puerta. We require that you keep them on leash and prevent them from disturbing graves, wildlife, and other visitors. Pet waste must be properly bagged and removed from the premises. Aggressive or disruptive pets will be required to be taken off the premises. 

Grave Markers
Headstones or grave markers that we have determined meet our green burial standards are allowed to be placed on graves. Headstones that are purchased through a vendor other than NBNM must first be approved by NBNM prior to purchase or placement through completing a Grave Marker and Decorations Approval Form. 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”. 

Grave Ornamentation and Offerings
ITEMS MADE WITH PLASTIC, METAL, STYROFOAM, GLASS, OR OTHER SYNTHETIC MATERIALS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO BE LEFT ON GRAVES, AND WILL BE REMOVED.

Vases, baskets and other non-biodegradable ornamentation used in burial services are permitted but must be removed immediately following the service. Cut flowers are allowed to be left on the grave, but any plastic or wrapping must be removed and taken with you. Additionally, small stones are allowed to be placed on graves without the approval of NBNM. 

Permanent grave ornamentation or plantings must be approved by NBNM through submitting a Grave Marker and Decorations Approval Form. Only natural stone and native plants are allowed to be used as grave ornamentations. All graves are mounded and can be decorated within the mound. If anything is left or planted outside of the plot area, you may either purchase the additional adjacent plot if it is available, or the items will be removed. 

While efforts to preserve and return non-permitted ornamentation will be made, it is not guaranteed.  Natural Burial New Mexico is not responsible for the damage, loss, or destruction of any items placed on graves. 

Vehicles in La Puerta 
Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted past the parking lot. Driving into the burial grounds is only permitted if explicit permission is granted by Natural Burial New Mexico management. Vehicles are monitored by cameras on the property.

Navigating the Burial Grounds
While navigating the burial grounds, please try to stay on paths and be very aware of where you are stepping. There may be open graves, snakes, cactus, or other animals and insects that could cause you harm if stepped on. Natural Burial New Mexico is not responsible for any injuries incurred while visiting the grounds. 

Wildlife at La Puerta
La Puerta is home to many animals and insects; we are just visitors. Coyotes, small mammals, snakes, lizards, spiders, bees, and other stinging insects are just a few of the things you may encounter while visiting. If you do encounter wild creatures while visiting the grounds, do not approach them, and do not feed them. Do your best to keep your distance and avoid them. If you encounter a rattlesnake near the parking lot or gathering spaces, please contact NBNM so we can safely relocate it.