Finding a Natural Resting Place

When Mikela’s dad passed unexpectedly, the family knew he wanted to be cremated and his ashes spread. But the family wanted to find a natural resting place where  they could visit him regularly to stay connected and keep his memory alive.

In her search for the perfect resting place, Mikaela researched the concept of natural cemeteries and discovered Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley located in Scandia, Minnesota. 

“My parents were very close, but they had just gotten divorced,” explains Mikaela.  “The house that we grew up in was in Scandia. It was hard for him to give it up [when my parents divorced] because he loved the area and of all the memories it held. To find Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley in Scandia, couldn’t have been more perfect. Dad would’ve loved to be here.”

“To find Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley  in Scandia, couldn’t be more perfect. Dad would’ve loved to be here.” -Mikaela D., Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley, Minnesota

A Shared Passion for Conservation

Mikela’s father Glenn had been a world-renowned wildlife biologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He was passionate  about conservation, preserving habitats and preserving the planet for wildlife.
  
 “When I read about Better Place Forests, its mission aligned beautifully with my father’s beliefs,” shares Mikaela.  “I knew this was exactly where he’d want to be.”  Having a shared passion for conversation Mikaela’s family knew  they had found  Glenn’s forever home. Next  Mikaela and her brother  set out to select his Memorial Tree. They chose a legacy Red Oak Memorial Tree that was tough and sturdy— just like Glenn. Even better, it was located on a deer path, a reminder of the wildlife he devoted his life to protecting.

“When I read about Better Place Forests, its mission aligned beautifully with my father’s beliefs. I knew this was exactly where he’d want to be.” -Mikaela D., Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley, Minnesota

An Intimate Forest Memorial

For Glenn’s Forest Memorial, Mikela wanted an intimate gathering in the forest, attended only by her immediate family. The ceremony, planned on Father’s Day, was deeply personal and comforting. “The Better Place Forests forest team treated the Forest Memorial like it was the only memorial they would ever do and we were so special,” shares Mikaela. “They were just so kind.”

“It was the most beautiful experience, it was so peaceful and perfect with just us. That is… thanks to Better Place Forests.” -Mikaela D., Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley, Minnesota

A Heartfelt Pet Tribute

A touching discovery was that Better Place Forests allows for the spreading of pets’ ashes too. The family mixed her father’s ashes with those of Tux,  their childhood dog who had lived to be 18.

“Placing them together felt so right,” Mikela reflects. “They always hiked together so I know they would have wanted to be placed at the tree together.  It was very comforting to finally be able to find a place for Tux ashes, as well. It was the most beautiful experience, it was so peaceful and perfect with just us.”

“I know they would have wanted to be placed at the tree together.  It was very comforting to finally be able to find a place for Tux ashes, as well.” -Mikaela D., Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley, Minnesota

Ongoing Connections and Memories

Regular visits to the memorial tree keep Mikela and her family connected to their father’s memory. “The little touches the team does every time my dog and I visit the forest mean so much. ”  share Mikaela. “They offer us water if it’s a little bit hotter, and it may not be anything big, but it is important to me.”

The Memorial Marker, engraved with a quote from her father’s favorite film, Lonesome Dove. “My dad was obsessed with Lonesome Dove and western movies. I’ve been taking a picture of his marker in all seasons. I have a picture with the greenery, the fall leaves, the summer flowers, so it’s so cool to look back and see.”

Through Better Place Forests, Mikela found a meaningful  way to celebrate her father’s legacy, stay connected and keep his memory alive.