State of Mexico Weighs Green Cemetery Plan

Lawmakers in the State of Mexico are reviewing a proposal from Gov. Delfina Gómez Álvarez to establish green cemeteries and restrict non-biodegradable burial materials as part of reforms to the state’s environmental and municipal legal framework. The initiative aims to reduce emissions and soil contamination linked to traditional burial and cremation practices — each cremation emits about 400kg of CO₂— and to address cemetery saturation in the metropolitan area surrounding Mexico City. The proposal could reshape regulations affecting Mexico’s funeral services industry, municipal land-use planning and environmental policy by promoting biodegradable burial systems and ecological preservation zones.

——

Lawmakers in the State of Mexico have begun reviewing a proposal by Gov. Delfina Gómez Álvarez (Morena) to establish “green cemeteries” and restrict the use of materials such as metal coffins and concrete burial vaults in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices. The initiative, now under discussion in the state Congress, seeks to replace conventional burial and cremation methods with ecological systems that allow bodies to decompose naturally and return to the soil. 

The proposal forms part of broader amendments to the state’s environmental and municipal legal framework and aims to address emissions, land-use pressures, and soil contamination associated with traditional funeral services. 

According to the bill submitted to the legislature, cremation releases an average of approximately 400kg of carbon dioxide per process due to the large quantities of gas required. Lawmakers reviewing the initiative said these emissions contribute to the carbon footprint and air pollution affecting residents of the State of Mexico and the greater Mexico City metropolitan area.

The proposal defines ecological cemeteries — also referred to as green cemeteries — as ecological preservation zones within urban areas where human remains can be buried using environmentally responsible practices. The measure calls for eliminating chemical embalming processes and replacing non-degradable burial materials with biodegradable alternatives. Under the plan, burials would take place using untreated wood or cardboard coffins designed to decompose naturally. The goal is to allow the body to reintegrate with the soil without the use of chemicals or non-biodegradable materials.

The proposal also promotes “green niches,” burial spaces intended for biodegradable urns containing ashes. These niches would be placed at the base of trees or within memorial gardens, integrating burial areas with reforestation and green space initiatives.

To implement the system, the State of Mexico legislature would need to modify provisions in the state’s Biodiversity Code and the Municipal Organic Law, establishing the legal basis for ecological cemeteries. The changes would also define operational criteria, including the use of biodegradable coffins, urns or burial shrouds; revegetation plans with native species and trees that require limited water; and the establishment of defined proportions of tree-covered areas. According to the Ministry of Security of the State of Mexico, the state currently has roughly 531 cemeteries across its territory.

Municipal governments would be allowed to create ecological cemeteries either directly or through concession agreements with private service providers. Local administrations would be responsible for promoting, supervising and protecting these areas as ecological preservation zones within population centers. Regulations at the municipal level would define operational characteristics and the form in which the service is provided.

Debate in the State of Mexico Legislature

The proposal was initially presented to members of the state legislature’s Environmental Protection and Climate Change Commission and the Legislative and Municipal Administration Commission. The session reviewing the initiative was chaired by legislator Carlos Alberto López Imm (PVEM) and included participation from lawmakers Sandra Patricia Santos Rodríguez (Morena), Gerardo Pliego Santana (Morena), Jennifer Nathalie González López (Morena) and Alejandra Figueroa Adame (PVEM).

During the first round of discussions, lawmakers from the ruling Morena party and PVEM expressed support for the initiative, arguing that green cemeteries could provide an alternative to funeral practices that generate significant environmental impacts. Santos Rodríguez said the proposal offers an opportunity to protect the environment while improving land-use planning and respecting family traditions associated with burial practices. “It allows us to care for the environment, plan spaces more efficiently and respect family traditions,” Santos said, describing the model as a practical and sustainable way to balance municipal responsibilities, environmental protection and urban planning.

Lawmakers also pointed to demographic pressures affecting cemetery capacity in the state. According to Pliego Santana, the State of Mexico recorded about 87,000 deaths in 2023, a figure that contributes to the saturation of existing cemeteries. He said alternatives such as green cemeteries could help address space limitations while promoting environmentally responsible burial practices.

Other lawmakers emphasized environmental risks associated with traditional burial practices. Legislator Figueroa Adame said studies by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency have highlighted environmental concerns related to conventional burial methods. Traditional embalming processes often use substances such as formaldehyde, a chemical classified as carcinogenic that can seep into soil and groundwater, she said.

Quantifying the Environmental Impact of Cremation in Mexico

Research from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) on cremation facilities in the State of Mexico found that the combustion process releases several air pollutants associated with fossil fuel use. Measurements from 30 cremation services showed average emission levels of 46,194g per hour of carbon monoxide (CO), 7,050g per hour of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and 84g per hour of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) during operation of cremation furnaces. These gases contribute to atmospheric pollution and can affect local air quality if cremation activity increases in densely populated areas.

Meanwhile, a 2018 study conducted at crematoriums in Mexico City reported that facilities typically process four to six bodies per day per furnace, generating particulate emissions during combustion. Monitoring detected PM2.5 concentrations ranging from 11 to 20mg per m3, depending on burn time and furnace technology.