$750 Tax Credit for Green Cemetery and Estate Planning
$750 Tax Credit for Green Cemetery and Estate Planning
The Issue
Petition: Enact a $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit
70% of Americans have no estate nor funeral plan, leaving families burdened with confusion, high costs and complex probate processes. We urge Congress to enact a $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit to make dignified, eco-friendly burials affordable, save $1–$1.5 billion in probate costs, and protect our environment by expanding green cemeteries nationwide.
The Problem
No Funeral Plans: 70% of Americans lack a funeral plan, and 60% die without a will, leading to 2–3 million probate cases yearly, costing estates $12,000–$30,000 each and counties $1–$1.5 billion.
Unaffordable Funerals: Traditional funerals cost $12,000, while green burials ($1,000–$4,000) are cheaper but under utilized.
Environmental Harm: Traditional burials use 20 million feet of wood and 5.3 million gallons of toxic embalming fluid annually.
Access Gaps: Estate planning is expensive, and out of reach for many.
The Solution: $750 Tax Credit + Nationwide Green Cemeteries
Tax Credit: A $750 refundable credit for anyone who joins a green cemetery and creates a legally valid will (e.g., freewill.com).
Verification: Submit proof of green cemetery commitment and a notarized will via a simple IRS form.
Green Cemetery Expansion: Establish green cemeteries in all 3,144 U.S. counties, inspired by affordable, donation-funded models like letsbetrees.org.
Impact
Affordability: $750 credit makes green burials attractive addressing the 70% without plans.
Probate Savings: Free wills cut intestate cases by 10–20%, saving counties $200–$300 million and estates $1–$2 billion annually.
Environmental Win: Eliminates wood and toxic fluid use, preserving habitats.
Universal Access: Meets 60% public demand with cemeteries in every county and free estate planning tools.
Why It Matters
70% want to avoid probate; 60% prefer green burials.
Affordable models like letsbetrees.org ensure inclusivity.
Saves billions in probate and environmental cleanup costs.
Call to Action
We urge Congress to:
Enact the $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit.
Support green cemetery expansion in all 3,144 counties.
Promote free, state-compliant estate planning tools.
Closing
With a $750 credit and green cemeteries nationwide, we can ensure affordable, sustainable burials for the 70% without plans, save billions, and protect our planet. Learn more at www.letsbetrees.org
Target: House Ways and Means, Senate Finance, National Association of Counties, Green Burial Council.
Sign Now: Unite for affordable, green burials for all Americans!
Sponsored by Hosanna High Natural Burial Project (www.letsbetrees.org
10
The Issue
Petition: Enact a $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit
70% of Americans have no estate nor funeral plan, leaving families burdened with confusion, high costs and complex probate processes. We urge Congress to enact a $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit to make dignified, eco-friendly burials affordable, save $1–$1.5 billion in probate costs, and protect our environment by expanding green cemeteries nationwide.
The Problem
No Funeral Plans: 70% of Americans lack a funeral plan, and 60% die without a will, leading to 2–3 million probate cases yearly, costing estates $12,000–$30,000 each and counties $1–$1.5 billion.
Unaffordable Funerals: Traditional funerals cost $12,000, while green burials ($1,000–$4,000) are cheaper but under utilized.
Environmental Harm: Traditional burials use 20 million feet of wood and 5.3 million gallons of toxic embalming fluid annually.
Access Gaps: Estate planning is expensive, and out of reach for many.
The Solution: $750 Tax Credit + Nationwide Green Cemeteries
Tax Credit: A $750 refundable credit for anyone who joins a green cemetery and creates a legally valid will (e.g., freewill.com).
Verification: Submit proof of green cemetery commitment and a notarized will via a simple IRS form.
Green Cemetery Expansion: Establish green cemeteries in all 3,144 U.S. counties, inspired by affordable, donation-funded models like letsbetrees.org.
Impact
Affordability: $750 credit makes green burials attractive addressing the 70% without plans.
Probate Savings: Free wills cut intestate cases by 10–20%, saving counties $200–$300 million and estates $1–$2 billion annually.
Environmental Win: Eliminates wood and toxic fluid use, preserving habitats.
Universal Access: Meets 60% public demand with cemeteries in every county and free estate planning tools.
Why It Matters
70% want to avoid probate; 60% prefer green burials.
Affordable models like letsbetrees.org ensure inclusivity.
Saves billions in probate and environmental cleanup costs.
Call to Action
We urge Congress to:
Enact the $750 Green Burial and Estate Planning Tax Credit.
Support green cemetery expansion in all 3,144 counties.
Promote free, state-compliant estate planning tools.
Closing
With a $750 credit and green cemeteries nationwide, we can ensure affordable, sustainable burials for the 70% without plans, save billions, and protect our planet. Learn more at www.letsbetrees.org
Target: House Ways and Means, Senate Finance, National Association of Counties, Green Burial Council.
Sign Now: Unite for affordable, green burials for all Americans!
Sponsored by Hosanna High Natural Burial Project (www.letsbetrees.org
10
Petition created on August 29, 2025