Losing a loved one is one of life’s most painful and profound experiences, and choosing how to honor their memory is a deeply personal decision. For many, traditional burial or cremation may not align with their values or the legacy they wish to leave behind. Enter Better Place Forests—a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative that combines the beauty of nature with the timeless act of remembrance.

But what does Better Place Forests offer? In this blog, we’ll address common questions about Better Place Forests, from how it works to what’s included in our services. We’ll also explore the emotional and environmental benefits of choosing a Memorial Tree in a Memorial Forest, helping you make an informed decision that feels right for you and your family.

How Does Better Place Forests Work?

Choosing a Memorial Tree is a simple and supported process. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. Choose a Memorial Forest: First select your Memorial Forest. We have nine Memorial Forests located coast to coast, each with beautiful Memorial Tree species unique to each location. 
2. Choose a Memorial Tree: Choose a Memorial Tree species (red maple, oak, redwood, etc.) and tree size that speaks to you. You can find your favorite Memorial Tree online, get personalized recommendations with the help of Forest Guide and you may also visit the forest in person to find the perfect tree that resonates with you and your family.
3. Visit the Forest: Our Memorial Forests are open for visitation, providing a peaceful space for reflection and connection. You can visit the Memorial Forest as often as you’d like, you can even hike trails, participate in community events, observe wildlife and more.
4. Plan the Forest Memorial: Decide how you’d like to honor your loved one. This could include selecting a Memorial Marker or planning a Forest Memorial ceremony. If you choose to have a ceremony, our team will work with you to create a personalized event that reflects your loved one’s life and legacy.

Throughout the process, our dedicated team is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

What’s Included vs. Add-Ons

What’s Included

At Better Place Forests, we believe in simplicity. All of our packages include the basics of what you need to create a meaningful and lasting memorial:

• Memorial Tree: Your loved one’s ashes are scattered at the base of a Memorial Tree in one of our protected Memorial Forests. This tree becomes a living memorial, symbolizing growth, renewal, and your connection to nature.
• Memorial Rights: Every Memorial Tree comes with the exclusive right to spread ashes of one person.
• Forest Access: Families are welcome to visit the forest anytime to reflect, remember, and reconnect with their loved one at their final resting place. 
• Forest Conservation: As part of your purchase, we’ll place 7% in a trust for the perpetual stewardship of the forest. By choosing Better Place Forests, you’re contributing to the long-term protection and preservation of the Memorial Forest. 
• Reforestation: 25-500 saplings will be planted in your honor  (depending on your tree size) in forestland around the United States.

Add-Ons

Some of our services are paid for on an at-need basis. Learn more about these add-ons: 

• Memorial Markers: A custom-inscribed Memorial Marker can be anchored near the base of your tree, marking your place in the forest. You can purchase Memorial Markers for $500 for people and pets. Our markers are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, designed to withstand the test of time while blending harmoniously with the natural environment.
• Additional Spreading Rights: You may purchase the rights to spread additional ashes to share your tree with loved ones. The cost is $1500 per person  when you add spreading rights at the time of purchase. Post purchase it’s $2,500 per person.
• Forest Memorial: We offer a natural, personalized ceremony to return ashes to the earth at the base of your chosen tree. The cost for this ranges from $100-$1500 depending on the number of guests attending.
• Pet Tributes: Included with your $300 pet spreading at your Memorial Tree, a pet tribute is a special ceremony to honor your cherished companion. Our Forest Guides will partner with you to honor your pet in a way that’s meaningful to you.

We understand that cost is an important consideration, and we want to be transparent about why certain services come with additional fees. Planning and hosting a ceremony involves coordination, staff, and natural resources to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience for your family. 

Payment Options

We strive to make our services accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer flexible payment options:

• Upfront Payment: Paying in full allows you to lock in current pricing and provides peace of mind, knowing that everything is taken care of.
• Installment Plans: For those who prefer flexibility, we offer financing options to spread the cost over time.

Our team is here to help you find a payment plan that works for your family’s needs. Talk to a guide to get started. 

Is Better Place Forests Right for Me or My Family?

Better Place Forests is ideal for individuals and families who seek a meaningful way to return to the earth, honoring the natural cycle of life.  

• Trusted Partner: We’ve served thousands of customers. We encourage new customers to read our glowing Google reviews, Yelp reviews and read Customer Stories. 
• Compassion: Our services reflect deep care for our customers and their loved ones, guiding them with empathy through sensitive decisions. 
• Simplicity: We know talking about death and dying is difficult, we simplify the process with expert guidance.
• Accessibility: Our Memorial Forests are designed to be welcoming and accessible to all.
• Religious or Cultural Preferences: Our services are customizable to align with your beliefs, values and traditions.
• Sustainability: Many families find comfort in knowing their loved one’s memory is preserved in a living, growing forest.

Can I Visit the Forest?

Absolutely. Our Memorial Forests are open to visitors, offering a peaceful space for remembrance and reflection. Each location features amenities such as walking paths, benches, and guided tours. Whether you’re visiting alone or with family, you’ll find a welcoming and serene environment.

What Should I Bring to the Forest?

When visiting the Memorial Forest, you may want to bring items that enhance your experience:

• Suitable shoes and clothing for walking in the forest 
• A journal or book for reflection
• Flowers or other biodegradable mementos to leave at the tree
• A camera to capture the beauty of the forest

How Does Better Place Forests Support Conservation?

When you choose Better Place Forests, you’re not just creating a memorial—you’re contributing to the preservation of our planet.

Our process for protecting land begins by identifying and purchasing land with high conservation value. For us, conservation value means land that is in a natural, scenic, historical, agricultural, forested, or open-space condition. Often, the properties we consider are wildlife habitats and may face a threat of development or loss of these values.

Once we have purchased a property, we develop forest management plans and obtain local permits that provide for the preservation, protection, or enhancement of that conservation value. Then, we grant each customer an irrevocable license to access their memorial tree, and we record those licenses with local governments.

Finally, we establish Stewardship Trusts to fund the perpetual maintenance of our forests, and we seek conservation easements to permanently protect the land from development. This is a years-long, multi-step approach for each of our forests.

What Happens to the Forest in the Future?

We understand the importance of long-term preservation. Our forests are legally protected to ensure they remain memorial sites for generations to come. We are committed to ongoing conservation and maintenance, so you can rest assured that your loved one’s memory will be honored in perpetuity.

How Do I Get Started?

Ready to explore Better Place Forests? We’re here to help. By choosing a Memorial Tree, you’re creating a lasting legacy that celebrates life, nature, and connection. Schedule a call with one of our Guides to learn more about our services, Memorial Forests, Memorial Trees and pricing. Our team will answer your questions and guide you through the process with compassion and care.

Whether you’re planning ahead or making arrangements for a loved one, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can create a better place—for our families, our forests, and our future.