How Better Place compares to natural burial
Carbon-neutral cremation and a resting place in a protected forest—the eco-friendly way to honor a life naturally.
Compare Better Place vs.
Modern care for life’s hardest moments
We’re a modern funeral company reimagining how people plan, memorialize, and return to nature. No funeral home visits. No surprise bills. Just honest, compassionate care at every step.
Coordinated online. No in-person meetings, no extra steps.
Clear pricing. No hidden fees, no surprise bills.
Compassionate human care available anytime, 24/7.
Carbon-neutral cremation to a resting place in nature.
We handle the details
At Better Place end-of-life planning isn’t only personal—it’s ecological. From first call to a resting place in nature, we handle everything.
We offset cremation’s impact through climate action.
Interactive, digital tribute; share stories and photos.
Death certificates, permits and filing handled for you.
We provide resources to help you navigate after-loss.
Real guides available day or night to answer your questions.
A natural resting place in a protected Memorial Forest.
A more responsible way to return to the earth
Natural burial is hard to find, hard to arrange, and forces grieving families to make decisions within hours of a death. Families are left with no place to return. No tree to sit with. No forest to visit.
There’s a better way.
Compare your options
A living memorial
Better Place’s Memorial Trees do what natural burial can’t: create a living place that grows and changes with the seasons.
| Better Place Memorial Trees |
Natural Burial or Green Burial | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Carbon-neutral cremation Flame, water or soil |
Biodegradable urn burial |
| Location | Private tree in protected forest | Natural burial ground (limited) |
| Honors | Multiple people & pets at one tree | Individual plot |
| Legal Status | All permissions included | Permitted at certified sites (limited) |
| Setting | Living, growing memorial | Natural landscape |
| Marker | Customizable bronze marker | None |
| Visits | Perpetual access rights | Site-dependent |
| Maintenance | Self-sustaining ecosystem | Site-dependent stewardship |
| Marker | Alive, growing, changing | Returned but unmarked |
Start when you’re ready
Carbon-neutral cremation is handled immediately and with care. The living memorial—the resting place in nature and ceremony—happens when your family is ready.
Return to nature,
make it beautiful
After cremation, families need a place to remember. With Better Place, ashes find a permanent home in a protected Memorial Forest—not on a mantle, not scattered without a place to return.
It’s simpler than traditional burial, more comprehensive than direct cremation, and designed for how we want to be remembered—as part of something living.
Two ways to create a living memorial
Memorial Tree
- Multiple people & pets at one tree
- You choose tree & location
- Add a personalized Guide-led ceremony
- Add customized Memorial Marker
Your tree. Your forest. Your choices.
Starting at $6,200 • View Pricing
Bundle with cremation • Save $1,000
Spreading Grove
- Honors one life in a shared grove
- Location chosen for you
- Simple self-led memorial ceremony
- Includes small, simple marker
A grove. A forest. A place to rest.
Starting at $2,250 • View Pricing
Bundle with cremation • Save $1,000
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What families say
"Cemeteries are about death; our Memorial Tree is about life—not an ending, but a new beginning."
Cremation in California
Better Place offers carbon-neutral cremation services across Northern and Southern California.
RESOURCES
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Talk to a Guide, 24/7
When you’re ready, we’re here.
Explore at your own pace
See the two ways families honor a life.
Questions?
We're here to help.
What are the most natural options for ashes after cremation?
Families who want to honor a loved one in a way that feels connected to the earth have more options than ever. The most natural choices include spreading ashes in a meaningful outdoor setting, burying them directly in the ground, incorporating them into a living memorial like a Memorial Tree or Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way that offers families a place to return to.
What is the difference between scattering ashes and burying ashes?
Scattering ashes releases cremated remains openly into the environment—over land, water, or from the air—while burying ashes places them in the ground. Scattering tends to feel more immediate, while burying feels ceremonial and offers a permanent place to return to.
With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way—while giving families a place to come back to.
Can ashes be buried after cremation?
Yes. Cremated remains can be buried in many natural settings. With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way—while giving families a place to come back to.
Is there a permanent place to visit after cremation?
Absolutely. One of the most common concerns families have about cremation is the loss of a dedicated place to grieve and remember—for many, traditional options like a burial plot can feel somber. With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to.
What are alternatives to scattering ashes?
There are many thoughtful alternatives to scattering ashes. With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to.
Can ashes be scattered on private property?
Yes. Scattering on private property is legal in California. Here’s what you need:
- Your VS-9 permit (always required)
- Written permission from the property owner (if it’s not your land)
- Compliance with local ordinances
If you’re scattering on someone else’s property—like a family cabin or a friend’s ranch—you’re required by law to get permission in writing. A simple signed letter works fine.
What the permission letter should include:
- Date and full property address
- Property owner’s name
- A clear statement: “I give permission to scatter [person’s name]’s ashes”
- The location on the property where you’ll scatter
- Date of the ceremony
- A note confirming compliance with local ordinances
Keep in mind that this is a one-time permission for scattering—it doesn’t grant ongoing access rights, particularly if the property is ever sold or developed.
With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to. We handle all permits and paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.
To find out more, read our Guide to Spreading Ashes in California
Can ashes be scattered in lakes, rivers, or the ocean? Can ashes be scattered in lakes, rivers, or the ocean?
Scattering ashes in inland waterways, shorelines, and beaches is prohibited to protect public health. For ocean scattering, you must be at least 3 nautical miles from shore. If scattering on a beach, you must be at least 500 feet from the shoreline.
With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to. We handle all permits and paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.
To find out more, read our Guide to Spreading Ashes in California
Can ashes be placed in nature without scattering them?
Yes. With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to. We handle all permits and paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.
Are green cemeteries the best place to scatter ashes?
Not necessarily. Green cemeteries are one option, but they can be hard to find and access is often limited. With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to. We handle all permits and paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.
What should families consider when deciding what to do with ashes after cremation?
There’s no set timeline—some families find a resting place within days, while others take weeks or months. Many start by keeping ashes at home on a mantle or shelf while they decide. When the time feels right, a more permanent option can bring real comfort.
With Better Place, you can give ashes a permanent resting place in nature. Choose a living memorial in a protected Memorial Forest: a private Memorial Tree or a shared Spreading Grove. Each option allows cremated remains to return to the natural cycle in a meaningful, personal way, while giving families a place to come back to. We handle all permits and paperwork so you can focus on what matters most.
It’s also worth knowing that families don’t have to choose just one path—it’s completely common to divide ashes, keeping some at home while laying others to rest elsewhere. It’s not all or nothing.
