AUSTIN, Texas -- In the U.S. a funeral can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000, which is why over the past few years there has been a growing trend of natural burials.

Ellen Macdonald opened Eloise Woods Community Natural Burial Cemetery in Cedar Creek in 2010. Walking through Macdonald’s property, one may not realize it's a cemetery, but that's no accident.

"People think of this place as more of a place of light and hope than death,” said Macdonald.

Macdonald knew Austin would be the perfect place to set up shop.

"It is a community that is already so aware of being green and it's the type of people who would embrace this alternative as opposed to being afraid of it,” she said.

Natural or green burials aim for simplicity and to conserve natural resources. There's no embalming or metal casket. The body is put into the ground wrapped in a shroud or in some cases a biodegradable casket.

"Some people feel more comfort in being in a box then they would having dirt laid directly on them,” said Melissa Unfred.

Unfred calls herself the "Modern Mortician." She has worked in the traditional funeral industry for 15 years, now doing natural burials for pets and people. She saw the growth of the natural burial industry over the past years.

"People are finding out more now that we have the Internet. There is a death positive movement happening where people are encouraging others to talk about their end life plans, so it's becoming a topic that is being brought up more,” said Unfred.

Unfred believes natural burials create an inviting environment for families to visit for years to come.

"You can plant life that will continue to grow and continue to contribute to nature,” she said.

Most of the cost of natural burials comes from the burial plot and will cost around $3,000. Green burials are legal in all 50 states.