We’re so proud and humbled to be recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies for 2020 in the Urban Development and Real Estate sector. We want to take a moment to acknowledge our customers for trusting us during one of life’s most important decisions. The stories we hear from our community are what drives us to keep innovating every day.
The list, which features businesses from 39 countries, honors companies making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to bring innovative ideas to its customers in today’s fast-changing world.
“We’re building Better Place Forests with families and their loved ones, our customers, in mind,” says co-founder and CEO Sandy Gibson. “We want to encourage more critical conversations around end-of-life planning. To do that, we need to re-frame how society talks about death, and we start by listening to our customers. They want a sense of peace. They want natural beauty. They want to leave a positive legacy. Better Place Forests is founded on offering people a sustainable, natural and beautiful alternative to a traditional cemetery. Our work is just beginning.”
Thank you to our customers
At Better Place Forests, one of our core values is to “Remember our Why”, and our ‘why’ is certainly focused our customers and respecting the significance of their decision. Here are a few of their stories.
Sophia T.: “Thank you so much for everything you and the team have done for my mom, sister and I throughout this process. I have been so floored by the professionalism, care, and attention to detail that you applied to every aspect of my family’s journey with you…You have made something that was so painful in our lives into a beautiful and peaceful memory.”
Susannah C.: “I just want to let you know how good it feels to have such a positive lens through which to approach my own mortality. To be able to visit the place where I will spend the rest of my forever… I get to have a relationship with my living “final” resting place. I love the concept and the execution and everything I have experienced with Better Place Forests.”
Spencer R., whose late wife Sheila has a tree in our Point Arena Forest, shares his experience: “We found the Better Place Forests team to be professional, courteous, and above all, helping us every step of the way. When I come here and sit at Sheila’s tree, it’s a remarkable place. I can really let my mind relax and think back of her. Being among the Redwoods, it’s so cleansing and so healing. It has reinforced my belief a thousand percent in the fact that there is more to come. We didn’t look at it…as a sad event. We looked at it as a new beginning.” [To hear Spencer and Sheila’s story, go here.]
About Better Place Forests
Better Place Forests is the first beautiful, sustainable alternative to cemeteries for people who choose cremation. Better Place Forests was founded in 2015 by co-founders Sandy Gibson (CEO), Brad Milne (COO) and Jamie Knowlton (CFO). Headquartered in San Francisco with forests in California and Arizona, we have over 1,000 beloved customers in the U.S with an NPS score of 90.
It’s our mission to inspire everyone to leave a meaningful legacy for the planet and the people they love. We achieve this by establishing, maintaining and protecting iconic forest land in North America. Beneath a tree of their choice, individuals and families are able to spread ashes for generations to come. By offering a natural, and beautiful final resting place, we help people write a better ending to their story.
“At a time of increasing global volatility, this year’s list showcases the resilience and optimism of businesses across the world. These companies are applying creativity to solve challenges within their industries and far beyond,” said Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley.
Thank you to our customers for trusting us with their end of life plans – we wouldn’t have this award without your support.
