Eco-Friendly Memorials: Choose a tree
A sustainable alternative to cemeteries where ashes are spread beneath a tree in a protected forest
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Reduce your carbon footprint and leave the earth better for the next generation
Every Memorial Tree Includes




Traditional Memorials are hurting our planet
The end-of-life industry has not kept up with America’s growing desire for sustainable options. At Better Place Forests, we offer a new kind of memorial that helps protect wild spaces.
Did you know?
- Cemeteries take up over 1 million acres of land
- Maintaining cemeteries requires significant resources including water, electricity and chemicals for grounds maintenance
- Embalming and the production of tombstones and caskets leave a significant carbon footprint
Find your forever tree
Choose your forest, tree species, and size of tree in one of our nine forests across America. Our expert guides are standing by to help schedule your forest tour.
CALIFORNIA
Point Arena
Trees start at
$4,900
CALIFORNIA
Santa Cruz
Trees start at
$8,900
CALIFORNIA
Yosemite Gateway
Trees start at
$4,900
CALIFORNIA
Lake Arrowhead
Trees start at
$4,900
ARIZONA
Flagstaff
Trees start at
$3,900
MINNESOTA
St. Croix Valley
Trees start at
$4,900
ILLINOIS
Rock River
Trees start at
$4,900
CONNECTICUT
Litchfield Hills
Trees start at
$4,900
MASSACHUSETTS
Berkshires
Trees start at
$4,900
Over 6,000 families served across nine forests

be there with the wildlife you
love and your feet and the sun shining down on you every day to give you strength and comfort.

of peace, instead of angst.

who feels the way I feel
about their animals
wouldn't want to make
the same arrangements.


a tree,
having a place
out in nature
is so different.

walking in different forests,
taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. Woodlands are a
place of restoration for us.

our
forest
and
our tree!

vitality and wisdom.
I want my ashes
mingled with
that miraculous joy.

where my final resting place
would be. I don't like graveyards.
I love the beauty and sounds
and smells of nature.

of family and strength, felt right.
My parent's tree is more than a place to visit; it’s a symbolic reminder of our connection.

in the forest. When you listen
to the birds, the wind, the rustling of leaves… it’s a monumental, picturesque experience.

of my family’s ashes, I know of people who have gone to visit a living, vibrant forest.

leave behind will find peace, comfort, and a place to cherish good memories at our tree overlooking the Rock River.

and knowing that you’ll become a part of that ecosystem. In a way, you’ll live on in the future.


the right place for my
husband's ashes for 5 years
when I learned about
Better Place Forests.

Place Forests over all during what has been a difficult emotional
time for me and my family has
been a real lift for me.

my mom, sister and I. You made something so painful into a beautiful, peaceful memory.

would have wanted it. It will be so much easier to remember
the joys and happy times when
we visit a living forest.

strongest tree—they
represent a stableness
and a security
that I feel represents us.

was an easy
choice for us. The
concept resonates
within my soul.


the perfect place for us.
The idea of being out in nature under our tree gives us
such a feeling of peace.

When I found my tree, it
felt as if I was found.
My name is now forever
associated with the forest.

way and place for my family to
one day remember me.

the roads will safely return me
here…. the Lake Arrowhead
Forest and my beloved CA.

How it works
Choose your tree
Explore our protected forests online or in-person and choose your tree with the help of a Guide.

Plan your Forest Memorial
Create a memorial that feels authentic to you. Plan readings, music, and more with the help of our expert team.

Spread your ashes
When the time comes, ashes are mixed with local soil and returned to the base of your tree, becoming a part of the life of the forest. A marker is placed at your tree.

Enjoy your forest
You and your loved ones have ongoing access to the forest. Visit as often as you’d like.

Explore available trees with a Guide
Find the tree that speaks to you by exploring trees online.