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
Your memorial can have a positive impact. By choosing a tree instead of a tombstone, you give back to the earth while giving your friends, family, and future generations the gift of protected open space.
Every Memorial Tree Includes
Your choice of a tree in a protected forest
Rights to add people and pets in the future
Ongoing access to the forest
Saplings planted in your honor
Your Memorial Tree helps preserve and protect a beautiful forest that your family can visit for generations to come.
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
The process of selecting a tree was deeply spiritual . I am a tree-hugging conservationist and Better Place Forests is exactly what I had in mind for my ashes.
It brings me peace to know you’ll
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.
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.
Mother Teresa said, "Peace begins with
a smile." My Wild Black Cherry Tree in the Rock River Forest brings a smile and a sense
of peace, instead of angst.
of peace, instead of angst.
I can't imagine anyone
who feels the way I feel
about their animals
wouldn't want to make
the same arrangements.
who feels the way I feel
about their animals
wouldn't want to make
the same arrangements.
What came as a wonderful surprise is the reverence the staff added to our Forest Memorial. They guided us through returning our loved one to the earth.
I think having
a tree,
having a place
out in nature
is so different.
a tree,
having a place
out in nature
is so different.
We both have spent hours
walking in different forests,
taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. Woodlands are a
place of restoration for us.
walking in different forests,
taking in the sights, smells, and sounds. Woodlands are a
place of restoration for us.
We love
our
forest
and
our tree!
our
forest
and
our tree!
Trees embody
vitality and wisdom.
I want my ashes
mingled with
that miraculous joy.
vitality and wisdom.
I want my ashes
mingled with
that miraculous joy.
For years I worried about
where my final resting place
would be. I don't like graveyards.
I love the beauty and sounds
and smells of nature.
where my final resting place
would be. I don't like graveyards.
I love the beauty and sounds
and smells of nature.
Picking out a tree, a symbol
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.
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.
I have spent many days walking
in the forest. When you listen
to the birds, the wind, the rustling of leaves… it’s a monumental, picturesque experience.
in the forest. When you listen
to the birds, the wind, the rustling of leaves… it’s a monumental, picturesque experience.
What I like about Better Place Forests is that since the placing
of my family’s ashes, I know of people who have gone to visit a living, vibrant forest.
of my family’s ashes, I know of people who have gone to visit a living, vibrant forest.
It's our hope that those we
leave behind will find peace, comfort, and a place to cherish good memories at our tree overlooking the Rock River.
leave behind will find peace, comfort, and a place to cherish good memories at our tree overlooking the Rock River.
There’s something very magical about picking out your tree
and knowing that you’ll become a part of that ecosystem. In a way, you’ll live on in the future.
and knowing that you’ll become a part of that ecosystem. In a way, you’ll live on in the future.
When I found out that Better Place Forests has a site just outside Yosemite, I knew it was perfect for us. Every time we visit, we are struck by the peace and serenity.
I had been looking for
the right place for my
husband's ashes for 5 years
when I learned about
Better Place Forests.
the right place for my
husband's ashes for 5 years
when I learned about
Better Place Forests.
My experience with Better
Place Forests over all during what has been a difficult emotional
time for me and my family has
been a real lift for me.
Place Forests over all during what has been a difficult emotional
time for me and my family has
been a real lift for me.
Thank you so much for everything you and the team have done for
my mom, sister and I. You made something so painful into a beautiful, peaceful memory.
my mom, sister and I. You made something so painful into a beautiful, peaceful memory.
Doug’s memorial was as he
would have wanted it. It will be so much easier to remember
the joys and happy times when
we visit a living forest.
would have wanted it. It will be so much easier to remember
the joys and happy times when
we visit a living forest.
Redwoods are the
strongest tree—they
represent a stableness
and a security
that I feel represents us.
strongest tree—they
represent a stableness
and a security
that I feel represents us.
Better Place Forests
was an easy
choice for us. The
concept resonates
within my soul.
was an easy
choice for us. The
concept resonates
within my soul.
This is a thoughtful, environmentally smart approach to end-of-life. I appreciate that my children will have a place other than a cemetery to visit.
Better Place Forests is
the perfect place for us.
The idea of being out in nature under our tree gives us
such a feeling of peace.
the perfect place for us.
The idea of being out in nature under our tree gives us
such a feeling of peace.
The forest helps ease grief.
When I found my tree, it
felt as if I was found.
My name is now forever
associated with the forest.
When I found my tree, it
felt as if I was found.
My name is now forever
associated with the forest.
I am so happy I made the arrangements I did with Better Place Forests. What a lovely
way and place for my family to
one day remember me.
way and place for my family to
one day remember me.
I have great peace knowing that wherever
I travel in this life,
the roads will safely return me
here…. the Lake Arrowhead
Forest and my beloved CA.
the roads will safely return me
here…. the Lake Arrowhead
Forest and my beloved CA.
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Return to the earth and become a part of the greater forest ecosystem. Talk to a Guide to learn more.
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.