Can you bury a body in your backyard? Here’s what Georgia law says

Chelsea Madden
·2 min read

In Georgia, the average burial costs in around $7,848, but that does not include funeral costs.

While cremations are cheaper than burials, they can still cost up to $3,000 and there’s a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a cremation can be performed in Georgia.

So, if you are looking to save money and keep your loved one close to home, burying loved ones on your property (formally called hume burial or home funeral) may be the solution.

Is it legal to bury a body in your backyard?

According to U.S. Funerals Online, there are no state laws prohibiting burying a body on your own property in Georgia.

However, there is one county in the Peach State that has specific laws surrounding home burials: Macon-Bibb County.

In Macon-Bibb County, you must get a permit.

In order to get a permit, you’ll need the following:

  • Apply for a permit with a Macon-Bibb engineer

  • A plat of survey of the property (survey that shows the borders of the property) prepared by a state-registered land surveyor

  • The survey must show at least two acres of land for the burial site/cemetery

  • The location of the proposed cemetery must be compatible with adjacent land uses, existing or proposed highways and any other elements or factors deemed by Macon-Bibb County to affect the public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the area surrounding the proposed location (such as wells and ground water, the potential for pollution of nearby streams, lakes and other waters)

  • A buffer area (at least 10 feet in width) with trees and shrubbery surrounding all sides of the grave site

  • A survey that shows the cemetery is not within an area of flood risks

  • Clearly marked boundaries with concrete or metal pins

  • A private access and exit to and from the site

After you receive your permit, there are even more requirements before participating in a home burial in Macon. Check out the full list online.

Here are some things to remember

In other parts of the state, there are no specific laws prohibiting home burials, but there are some things to consider.

According to U.S. Funerals Online, checking with your local zoning office is a good idea. You should also clearly map out where your burial site will be located. It is also highly recommended that you plot at least 150 feet away from any water sources and 25 feet away from power lines.

Other considerations:

  • Embalming is not required in Georgia

  • A casket is not required in Georgia, but some sort of container is required

  • You don’t have to have a licensed funeral director

Have you or someone you know performed a home burial? Let us know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com