When deciding on a final resting place many people are choosing to become a tree. This option is attractive because when you choose to become a tree, death isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning. Selecting a tree instead of a tombstone is a beautiful way to give back to the Earth and rejoin the cycle of life. It’s a sustainable commitment that shows your care for the planet even in the afterlife. Here’s why so many people are drawn to this newer end-of-life option:
1. Living Legacy: A tree is an expression of life, and shows that your loved one’s passing wasn’t an ending but a new beginning. The tree is alive just like your loved one’s memory.
2. Place to Visit: Whether nestled in a Memorial Forest or on family property, a tree memorial offers a meaningful place to return and reflect on nature.
3. Meaningful Location: You can choose to become a tree in a location that holds special significance, such as a beloved outdoor space or protected forest.
4. Family Tree: A tree memorial can become a symbolic family tree. Generations of ashes can be spread at the tree’s base, creating a shared legacy within its branches.
5. Natural Alternative: For those seeking to reduce their environmental impact, becoming a tree offers a sustainable end-of-life option that supports the cycle of life and conservation.
Many wonder how this end-of-life option works, where it’s offered, and what becoming a tree entails. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to become a tree when you die, whether through cremation, green burial, or human composting.
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Things To Consider
Before making this decision, there are a few key factors to consider, including your preferred disposition method, location, cost, and tree type.
Disposition Method: 3 disposition methods allow you to become a tree when you die—cremation, green burial, or human composting. Each method has unique processes and benefits, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your values and is legal in your area.
Location: You can become a tree in a private garden, on public land, or in a protected Memorial Forest. Each location has slightly different rules, accepted disposition methods, and associated costs.
Tree Type: It’s important to select a tree species that’s suited to the location it’s in. Native trees thrive in their natural environments, ensuring longevity. Whether it’s a towering oak or a graceful birch depends on your preference and the area.
Cost: Costs vary widely for final resting places. Shop around to find the option that fits your budget and your values.
5 Ways to Become a Tree When You Die
1. Memorial Forest
A Memorial Forest is a protected forest reserved for people to have their ashes returned to the earth at the base of a private Memorial Tree. Better Place Forests offers Memorial Trees in forests across the United States as a natural alternative to cemeteries. Choosing an existing Memorial Tree ensures that the tree will reach maturity and the legacy of your loved one will continue to grow and thrive.
What You Need To Know:
Disposition Method: Available for those who choose cremation, either traditional fire cremation or water cremation.
How It Works: Cremation ashes are mixed with local soil, which balances the mixture and enables the ashes to be incorporated into the environment. They are then spread at the base of the Memorial Tree, allowing the deceased to return to the Earth. Afterward, wildflower seeds are spread and a personalized ceremony takes place.
Reforestation: The purchase of a Memorial Tree directly contributes to protecting forests and open spaces. For every Memorial tree purchased, reforestation saplings are donated to reforest areas in the United States in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.
Cost: Memorial Trees start at $4,900. Browse our collection of Memorial Trees to find the one the best suits you.
2. Biodegradable Urn
Companies like The Living Urn allow you to place cremated ashes in a biodegradable urn. When the urn is planted, a tree sapling can be planted along with it to allow you to become a tree. With regular watering and protection from weather and animals, the urn is designed to decompose and nourish the tree over time. This is a good option for those looking to plant their tree on private land or in their yard.
What You Need To Know:
Disposition Method: Available for those who choose any form of cremation.
Sustainability: These urns are sustainably designed and made entirely of biodegradable materials that will break down in soil over time.
Care: You’ll need to tend to your tree carefully as the tree’s survival depends on consistent and thoughtful care. Young trees require regular watering, strong sun access, and care to mature. You also need to carefully consider where you can legally plant your tree to ensure it will remain protected and that you’ll have continued access to it.
Cost: A biodegradable urn costs $200 on average. Additionally, you’ll need to purchase a sapling tree to plant in tandem. Burial location costs vary.
3. Human Composting
Human composting (also called natural organic reduction) is a relatively new disposition method that transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil through a process that happens indoors. The body is placed inside an enclosure or vessel with other organic materials, and after about 6-8 weeks, it becomes soil. The soil can then be used for land restoration and scattered or used to grow a tree.
What You Need To Know:
Location: The compost that comes from natural organic reduction can be used in many natural ways. It can support the growth of a plant, nourish flowers in a garden, or grow a sapling tree in the yard. It is a large amount of soil created during the process, and transportation costs may need to be considered.
Legality: Human composting isn’t legal and operational in all 50 states. For example, California legalized human composting in 2022 but it won’t take place until 2027. Check with your local laws to see if human composting is available.
Cost: The average cost for human composting is currently $5,000-$7,000.
4. Green Burial
Green burial, also known as natural burial, offers an eco-friendly alternative for those who’d like to have their body buried, without the harmful chemicals that go into traditional burial. In a green burial, the body is not embalmed with chemicals. Instead, it is disposed of by placing the whole body in a biodegradable casket or shroud and returned to the earth to decompose naturally, minimizing environmental impact. This practice allows for natural reduction without polluting the environment with embalming chemicals, returning the body’s nutrients to the trees and plants in the area.
What You Need To Know:
Urgency: Since green burial doesn’t involve embalming fluids, it requires the body to be interred relatively quickly. This may add some pressure to the planning process, which can be challenging for grieving families.
Location: Green burial sites are not widely available across the United States. While options like memorial parks, cemeteries, or even private properties may host these types of burials, finding a truly eco-friendly provider may be difficult.
Cost: Although green burials eliminate the need for expensive caskets, embalming, vaults, or headstones, the price of green burial plots can range between $4,000 and $10,000, according to the Green Burial Council. This is primarily due to the growing demand for this option where there is limited availability.
5. Tree Burial Pod
Innovative tree burial pods propose to encapsulate the human body in a biodegradable pod, with a tree planted above it. The body’s nutrients feed the tree as it grows, creating a profound, symbolic connection between life and the earth. Although it’s only in the conception phase, both Capsula Mundi and Transcend promise to deliver future body burial pods.
What You Need To Know:
Not Available: Tree burial pods have yet to reach the market and cannot be purchased at this time.
What Kind of Tree Are You?
Most people choose to become a tree when they die because they’re drawn to the peace and serenity of the forest. But did you know each tree species is as unique as you are? Everyone has a tree that best matches their personality. Whether you’re thoughtful like an oak, resilient like a pine, or graceful like a maple, we’ve created a quick Soul Tree Quiz designed to help you connect more deeply with the forest.
SOUL TREE FINDER
What Tree Are You?
Everyone has a tree that best matches their personality. Find your soul tree in 1-minute.
Become a Redwood Tree
Redwood trees include some of the largest and tallest trees in the world. These giant trees symbolize strength, resilience, and healing. They can be found along the coast of California. These mysterious and powerful trees feature huge trunks and thick bark to help them thrive for thousands of years.
Redwood Memorial Trees are available in:
Become an Oak Tree
Oaks are among the most common trees in North America. With over 500 species of oak trees, the variations on these trees are endless. Known as a symbol of strength, these trees provide nourishment for many forest animals through their leaves and acorns and protection from the elements in their massive canopy.
Oak Memorial Trees are available in:
- Lake Arrowhead Memorial Forest, California
- Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest, California
- St. Croix Valley Memorial Forest, Minnesota
- Rock River Memorial Forest, Illinois
- Litchfield Hills, Memorial Forest, Connecticut
Become a Douglas Fir Tree
These evergreen trees can live up to 500 years and are often known for their beautiful scent and were historically used by healers for herbal remedies and treatments. Many species of animals rely on the Douglas Fir for food and protection.
Douglas Fir Memorial Trees are available in:
- Point Arena Memorial Forest, California
- Santa Cruz Memorial Forest, California
- Flagstaff Memorial Forest, Arizona
Become a Maple Tree
Maple trees provide a beautiful display of red and orange leaves in the fall. Often a common symbol of strength and endurance because of their long life, these trees are also popular due to the maple syrup that some varieties provide.
Maple Memorial Trees are available in:
- Berkshires Memorial Forest,Massachusetts
- St. Croix Valley Memorial Forest, Minnesota
- Rock River Memorial Forest,Illinois
- Litchfield Hills, Memorial Forest, Connecticut
Become an Aspen Tree
With their signature tall white trunks, these trees showcase the beauty of fall with yellow or red leaves that rustle in the wind. Growing to heights of over 80 feet tall, these trees grow in groves from a shared root system.
Aspen Memorial Trees are available in:
How Much Does It Cost To Be Turned Into a Tree?
The cost to become a tree when you die varies by disposition method, location, and the tree type you choose. Below is a chart comparing average costs.
Cost Comparison
| Ways to Become a Tree | Costs |
| Memorial Tree | Starting at $4,900 Doesn’t include cremation costs |
| Biodegradable Urn | $200 Doesn’t include cremation or tree costs |
| Human Composting | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Green Burial | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Tree Burial Pod | Not yet available |
Return to the Earth
With so many ways to return ashes to the earth, we’re here to guide you through your options. Our goal is to make things as simple as possible. From selecting a Memorial Tree to planning a Forest Memorial, we’ll help you understand your options to decide what’s right for you.
Ready to learn more? Let’s schedule a call to learn about Memorial Trees in our protected forests.
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