The Groves Family

The Groves family, comprising five children—Pam, Steve, Dave, Tim, and Susie—grew up in the picturesque surroundings of Minnesota with their parents, Maxine and Jim. 

When Maxine expressed her desire to have her ashes together with her late husband, her children set out on a mission to find the perfect end-of-life option. “I promised Mom that I would try to come up with a place that we could call our own,” shares eldest son Steve. “But I couldn’t find it.”

A Legacy of Togetherness

Pam discovered Better Place Forests while making her own end-of-life arrangements. “I heard about Better Place Forests through an article in Minnesota Monthly Magazine,” explained Pam. “I thought, ‘This is perfect for us! We’re a camping family. We love the outdoors. That’s where we decompress.’ So, I made an appointment.”

Initially, Pam considered a Memorial Tree for herself and her husband. However, upon seeing a magnificent seven-spired red maple, she envisioned a trunk representing each member of the Groves family. She loved the idea of having one spot for the entire family.

“This tree signifies our family, one solid base and seven shoots up. We go off in our own directions, but we’re still connected. —Pam, St. Croix Valley Memorial Forest, Minnesota

Finding Solace in Nature

As a family of nature lovers, being laid to rest in the forest seemed perfect. Traditional graveyards never felt right for the Groves. “When I go to a cemetery, I feel uncomfortable. I look around and there are rows and rows of headstones. It’s cold,” says Steve. “And there’s nothing cold about this entire family,” adds sister Susie.

Just a short drive from where they all grew up, Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley immediately rekindled memories of family camping trips and cherished time together. “It’s exactly where we’ve grown up on the St. Croix River. It’s where we’re meant to be” says Steve. “I am in love with the tree,” adds sister Susie.

“When I go to a cemetery, I feel uncomfortable. There are rows and rows of headstones, it’s cold. The St. Croix River is where we’re meant to be.” —Steve, St. Croix Valley Memorial Forest, Minnesota

A Place For Future Generations

The Groves family is in love with their Memorial Tree. Not only was it a beautiful place for Mom and Dad, someday the kids and their kids can join them when they pass away too.  “It’s perfect, I know it’s exactly what my mom wants,” says Susie. “And it would be exactly what my dad would want—for all of us kids to be together again.” 

“Being able to be reunited here all together at the end of our life is a very loving feeling, just all coming together, it’s just perfect for our family.” shares Pam. “It’s like coming home again.”

“Being reunited at the end of our life is just perfect for our family. It’s like coming home again.” —Pam, St. Croix Valley Memorial Forest, Minnesota

A Spiritual Experience in Nature

Being out in nature often brings a sense of spiritual presence for the Groves family. “All of us feel God’s presence very strongly when we’re out in nature. We’re making our own little altar out there in the world,” shares Pam.

“I think all of us find solace in the natural world. Being out in the woods gives you time to reflect,” says middle child Tim. “This is a place where we can all go and take a moment to stop and smell the roses.”

The Groves family takes comfort in knowing that surviving and future relatives will have a place to visit and feel close to the family. “It’s a place we can all enjoy,” says Steve. “Maybe sit for a moment and go for a walk with the kids and the grandkids. Reminisce a little bit about Grandpa and Grandma and Mom and Dad.”

Choosing Better Place Forests has allowed the Groves family to continue enjoying the outdoors together—a place they can visit and connect, as well as a final resting place when the time comes.