A beautiful, more affordable resting place for ashes.
Where Memories Live On
Spreading Groves at Better Place Forests offers a unique, natural resting place for ashes in a dedicated grove of trees. It’s an affordable, natural alternative to traditional memorials. Here you can legally return ashes to the earth in a dedicated space in a protected forest. A bronze Memorial Marker is placed along the stone pathway as a tribute to your loved one, guiding future journeys through the forest.
Why Choose a Forest Spreading?
- Legally spread ashes: Ashes are spread legally in a protected forest. By choosing the Spreading Grove as a final resting place, you help protect an entire forest ecosystem.
- Beautiful place to visit and remember: The Spreading Grove provides a beautiful place to visit and remember your loved one.
- 100% Natural: The process respects the environment, ensuring an eco-friendly tribute.
- Affordable: It’s an affordable end-of-life option that brings peace and value to families.
What Does the Spreading Grove Include?
When you choose the Spreading Grove you can spread ashes in a dedicated grove of trees in a protected forest. All of the tools and instructions you need to spread ashes will be provided. A Forest Guide will be on site to assist you, if needed. Included with your Forest Spreading is a Memorial Marker, personalized with your loved one’s name, birth year, and death year.
What’s included:
- Rights to spread ashes for one in the Spreading Grove
- Personalized small Memorial Marker
- First and last name
- Year of birth and death
- Dedicated time to spread ashes to the earth
- For up to 5 guests
- Guided support to return ashes to the earth
- Ongoing forest access
- Option Forest Memorial
- Hosted ceremony facilitated by the Forest Guides
- For 5 – 30+ guests
How The Forest Spreading Experience Works
- Rejoin the cycle of life: Schedule a dedicated time for you and your guests to return ashes of one person to the earth in the Spreading Grove. You’ll receive instructions on how to spread ashes.
- Complete set up: At the forest all of the tools and vessels you will need will be waiting.
- Return ashes to the earth: A nest made of forest floor is prepared for you to spread the ashes. A Forest Guide is available to assist you.
- Mark Your Place: After ashes have been spread, a Forest Guide will place your personalized Memorial Marker along the path to guide future journeys.
- Ongoing Forest Access: Stay connected and keep memories alive. Friends and family are welcome to visit the forest and explore the vast network of trails.
Key Differences From a Memorial Tree
- You cannot spread pet ashes in the Spreading Grove
- You cannot reserve space for additional ashes to be placed in the future
- You cannot choose where in the Spreading Grove ashes will be placed
- Memorial Markers are smaller and cannot be customized to the same degree as a Memorial Tree Memorial Marker
Where are Spreading Groves Located?
The Spreading Grove offering is available at Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley, located just 40 minutes from the Twin Cities. The Spreading Grove offering will expand to eight additional Better Place Forest locations in 2025.
Choose a Resting Place That’s Full of Life
Honoring your loved ones with this beautiful meaningful end-of-life experience is now within reach for more families with this more affordable option. Create a lasting tribute in a dedicated space within our protected forest.
