A life-giving place​

Lifelong nature lovers, Kathryn and Joey knew they wanted to get married outdoors. After careful consideration, they decided to get married at their Memorial Tree, a symbol of strength and stability.

Their redwood Memorial Tree is in the heart of the Santa Cruz Memorial Forest. Joey shared “We both had really close friends that passed at a young age – that made us realize we need to appreciate the time we have. That’s what pushed us to make a plan.”

“Having seen and gone to ceremonies that involved cemeteries and cement walls… I just didn’t like the feel of it. This felt more life-giving and I felt like I would be at peace.” – Kathryn S., Santa Cruz Memorial Forest, California

A celebration of love and life

The Forest Guides were honored and excited to support this magical day for Kathryn and Joey. Kathryn shared “Everyone at Better Place Forests was so excited to make it our day and bring in all the help we needed to make it even more special than we thought it would be. It was so beautiful.”

After the forest memorial wedding ceremony, they spent time walking the forest together, getting to know the place they will one day be laid to rest. Standing at their tree holding hands, Kathryn whispered to Joey “this is our place.”

“Everyone at Better Place Forests was so excited to make it our day and bring in all the help we needed to make it even more special than we thought it would be.” – Kathryn S., Santa Cruz Memorial Forest, California

A place to call home

Calm, at peace, at home: this is how Kathryn and Joey feel when they are in the forest. They continue to create treasured memories in the forest. By building a relationship with the place that will one day serve as their final resting place, they have an ever growing appreciation of  nature and life itself. 

“A place to call home is a place where you feel like you can be yourself and you feel at peace. I don’t feel that as strongly anywhere else as I do here” – Kathryn S., Santa Cruz Memorial Forest, California