Green Burial at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground in Upper Darby
For families who value simplicity, few places near Philadelphia feel as peaceful as Friends Southwestern Burial Ground. At Pennsylvania Burial Company – Baldi Funeral Home, we arrange green burials at this historic Quaker cemetery in Upper Darby. If you are looking for a funeral home that understands how burials work at Friends Southwestern, this guide explains what to expect and how we help.
Simplicity, the Quaker way
Quakers, also called Friends, have long believed that a burial should be plain, modest, and equal for everyone. That tradition lines up naturally with what we now call green burial:
- The body is laid to rest in a natural-fiber shroud or a simple untreated casket
- There is no conventional embalming
- Grave markers are small and modest
- The land is treated as a living place, not just a lawn
Green burial is not a trend at Friends Southwestern. It is a continuation of how Friends have cared for their dead for generations.
About Friends Southwestern Burial Ground
Friends Southwestern Burial Ground sits at 236 Powell Lane in Upper Darby, less than half a mile from the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Philadelphia Quakers established it in 1859, and it is managed today by Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.
The 14-acre grounds are both an active cemetery and a registered arboretum, with rolling grass, simple white stone markers, and native trees, some nearly as old as the burial ground itself. It is open to visitors every day of the year.
Green burial at Friends Southwestern
Friends Southwestern is certified as a hybrid green burial ground, which means it offers green burial alongside its traditional graves. Families can choose:
- Burial in a biodegradable shroud
- Burial in a simple, untreated casket
As part of its commitment to the environment, the burial ground keeps plastic and other non-natural items off graves.
Do you have to be Quaker?
No. Friends Southwestern welcomes people of all traditions whose wishes align with Friends' values of simplicity, openness, and respect for every life. It has served families of many faiths, including families who need a prompt, simple burial for religious reasons.
How Pennsylvania Burial Company – Baldi Funeral Home helps
Friends Southwestern has its own guidelines for containers, markers, and scheduling. We take care of those details so your family can focus on saying goodbye. We:
- Talk with you about your wishes and whether Friends Southwestern is the right fit
- Coordinate directly with the burial ground on the location, timing, and requirements
- Help you choose a shroud or untreated casket that meets its standards
- Care for your loved one without conventional embalming and arrange a timely burial
- Plan a simple graveside gathering, a service at our chapel, or both
- Handle the death certificate, burial permit, and other paperwork
Without embalming, burial usually happens within a few days, so it helps to call us early, even if you are still deciding.
Planning ahead
If you know a simple green burial at Friends Southwestern is what you or a loved one wants, pre-planning lets you record those wishes now so your family does not have to guess later.
Prefer a large historic cemetery on the Main Line? Read our guide to green burial at West Laurel Hill (Laurel Hill West).
Talk with us
Pennsylvania Burial Company – Baldi Funeral Home serves families across South Philadelphia, Center City, Delaware County, and the Tri-State area. Call us or stop by to talk about green burial at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground. We will answer your questions plainly and with care, with no pressure.
Pennsylvania Burial Company / Baldi Funeral Home
1327–31 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Pennsylvania Burial Company: (215) 334-1717
Baldi Funeral Home: (215) 389-2414
www.pennsylvaniaburialcompany.com
Tradition • Compassion • Dignity • Trust
FAQ
Which funeral home handles green burials at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground? Pennsylvania Burial Company – Baldi Funeral Home arranges green burials at Friends Southwestern Burial Ground on Powell Lane in Upper Darby. Call (215) 334-1717 or (215) 389-2414.
Do I have to be Quaker to be buried at Friends Southwestern? No. It welcomes people of all traditions whose wishes align with Friends' values of simplicity, openness, and respect.
What burial options are offered? Green burial in a biodegradable shroud or a simple untreated casket, alongside traditional burial.
Where is Friends Southwestern Burial Ground? At 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082, less than half a mile from the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia.
Can we have a service with a green burial? Yes. Many families choose a simple graveside gathering, and some also hold a service at our chapel first.
Can I pre-plan a green burial at Friends Southwestern? Yes. Pre-planning lets you record your wishes now so your family does not have to decide under pressure.
