In the heart of Orange County, just outside Hillsborough, Bluestem Conservation Cemetery offers families a rare and meaningful choice: a return to nature through green burial on land that is protected, restored, and open to the public. Bluestem is one of only 13 conservation cemeteries in the United States and the first of its kind in central North Carolina.
What Is Conservation Burial?
Conservation burial, also called natural burial, is a simple and ecological approach that allows the body to return to the earth naturally, without chemicals or permanent infrastructure.
At Bluestem:
- Embalming is not allowed.
- Vaults, grave liners, and metal caskets are not used.
- Biodegradable caskets or cloth shrouds are required.
- Graves are covered with pine straw.
- Each site is marked with a small GPS-linked metal disk.
Rather than polished headstones and manicured lawns, Bluestem offers families a forested, wild, and sacred space for reflection and remembrance. As they say, “Nature is enough.”
Learn more about their natural burial practices here:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/natural_burial.html
Land Stewardship and Mission
Bluestem is more than a cemetery, it’s a living conservation effort. The land is owned by Bluestem Community NC, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. It is permanently protected through conservation easements held by the Triangle Land Conservancy and the Eno River Association.
Bluestem’s 87 acres include:
- Native grasslands, woodlands, and riparian buffers
- A 3.5-mile trail network open daily for hiking, birdwatching, and reflection
- Ongoing ecological restoration of native plant communities and pollinator habitats
Read more about Bluestem’s conservation work and mission here:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/about.html
Explore the Land: Tours and Self-Guided Visits
Families can visit Bluestem in two ways:
- Self-Guided Tours
Trails are open every day from dawn to dusk. Visitors can pick up a site map at the historic barn and explore at their own pace. Interpretive signs along the trail describe Bluestem’s burial practices, conservation goals, and history.
Self-guided tour info:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/explore_on_your_own.html - Informational Walking Tours
Scheduled twice per month, these two-hour guided tours include visits to grave sites, burial meadows, and wooded areas. Staff share insights into green burial, the conservation easement, and how to reserve a site.
Walking tour details and schedule:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/walking_tours.html
Reserving a Burial Site at Bluestem
Bluestem does not sell plots outright. Instead, families purchase what’s called an interment right, and pay a separate burial fee at the time of need. The process is deeply intentional and designed to support long-term conservation.
As of 2025, costs are:
- Full-body burial: $5,300
($4,000 interment right + $1,300 burial fee) - Ash burial: $2,350
($1,700 interment right + $650 burial fee)
The process includes:
- Submitting an interest form
- Visiting the land
- Working with Bluestem staff to choose a burial site
- Coordinating final arrangements with a licensed funeral home
Reservation info and forms:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/how_to_purchase.html
Bluestem’s National Impact
Bluestem opened in 2022 as the first conservation cemetery in the Piedmont region and has quickly become a leader in the national Conservation Burial Alliance. It meets or exceeds Green Burial Council standards, and its partnership with local land trusts ensures the land is protected forever.
More on Bluestem’s national role:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/news.html
Endswell + Bluestem: A Natural Partnership
As the Triangle’s funeral home specializing in green burial, Endswell Funeral Home is proud to work closely with Bluestem. We provide:
- 24/7 transportation and care across North Carolina
- Filing of all required permits and death certificates
- Biodegradable caskets and burial shrouds approved for Bluestem use
- On-site support during the burial and ceremony
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing, no upselling or hidden fees
We’ve guided many families through their first experience with green burial. Whether you want something spiritual, simple, or family-led, we’ll help you plan a burial that reflects your values and honors your loved one with care and dignity.
Interested in Learning More?
We encourage families to:
- Visit Bluestem on your own
- Join an upcoming walking tour
- Talk with our team about planning ahead or coordinating a burial
To start exploring or reserve a site, visit:
https://www.bluestemcemetery.org/
To speak with a green burial specialist at Endswell:
https://endswellfuneralhome.com/contact
Bluestem Conservation Cemetery | Cedar Grove, NC
Endswell Funeral Home | Hillsborough, NC , Your local guide to green and conservation burial in the Triangle