Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest
A 170-acre mountain meadow sanctuary near iconic Yosemite National Park.
Why Yosemite Gateway?
A natural alternative to traditional cemeteries
Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest offers a meaningful way to return ashes to the earth within a protected forest sanctuary.
Trees instead of tombstones honor loved ones with a memorial that grows.
Ashes naturally nourish the forest—no harmful chemicals, low impact.
Every memorial funds conservation, protecting forest and wildlife habitats.
Legally protected in perpetuity—the forest is never developed or disturbed.
Scenic foothills near Yosemite National Park
Experience a rare mountain meadow ecosystem unlike any traditional memorial—home to diverse wildlife and native plants critical to the region’s health.
Near Yosemite National Park
Scenic drive from iconic Yosemite National Park with spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain vistas and snow-capped peaks.
Wildlife corridor
Critical migratory pathway for native wildlife including black bears, mule deer, and jackrabbits, supporting local biodiversity.
Historic orchard
Features a 150-year-old fruit orchard that provides a safe haven for rare bird species, pollinators and other native wildlife.
Your memorial
protects the forest
Your memorial does more than honor a life—it protects an ecosystem. Each purchase funds a Stewardship Trust to preserve the forest and provides you irrevocable access rights in perpetuity.
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.
Need cremation services? We offer carbon-neutral cremation.
Three perfect memorial locations
Within Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest are three distinct locations, each with its own character and natural beauty. Discover the one that speaks to you.
Orchard Meadow
Mature trees overlook a sun-drenched meadow paradise with a seasonal creek.
Poet’s Knoll
Untouched sanctuary where a family of deer shelter among moss-covered oaks.
Ponderosa Passage
Park-like meadow where hawks soar above ponderosa pines, perfect for peaceful picnics.
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
Nature Memorial Ceremony
A personalized ceremony with loved ones to return ashes to the earth.
Starting at $100
Memorial Marker
A customized bronze marker placed at a tree or grove to honor a life.
Starting at $500
Yosemite Gateway tree species
Yosemite Gateway features three native Sierra Nevada tree species, each with their own symbolism and strength for honoring your loved one. Explore trees virtually or visit the forest in-person.
Black Oak
Striking bark and vibrant foliage, living up to 500 years. These acorn-bearing trees provide vital sustenance for forest wildlife.
Incense Cedar
Elegant fern-like branches with a woody scent, living up to 1,000 years. Drought-tolerant and naturally insect-resistant, they embody resilience.
Ponderosa Pine
Towering giants with butterscotch-scented bark, living up to 600 years. Iconic and fire-resistant, it provides vital habitat for Sierra wildlife.
What to expect
What happens when you explore with a Guide
A Guide helps you understand your options, answers your questions,
and walks you through next steps—no pressure.
How does it work? What’s included? Is this right for me?
Guides can show you trees virtually or plan a forest visit.
Every detail is shaped around your family’s values.
We’ll help you understand what’s right for you.
Schedule an online tour or an in-person forest visit.
Visit Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest
Find out what a living memorial looks like. Walk the forest paths, view Memorial Trees, and find the right resting place—by appointment, in person or online.
- 10966 Dexter Rd Coulterville, CA 95311
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What families say
“Cemeteries are about death;
our Memorial Tree is about life.”
Better Place Memorial Forests
Our protected forests span America—from the redwoods of the Mendocino Coast to the ridgetops of the Berkshires. Some of the most beautiful, biodiverse places in the country.
RESOURCES
Want to know more?
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 is a Memorial Forest?
A Memorial Forest is a protected natural area designed as an alternative to a traditional cemetery where cremated ashes are returned to the earth at the base of a chosen, established tree or in dedicated groves.
Is a Memorial Forest in Yosemite Gateway the right choice for me or my loved one?
Absolutely. Instead of tombstones in a cemetery, your loved one’s ashes become part of the Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest ecosystem, protected forever through conservation. Your memorial grows and evolves with the seasons, celebrating the cycle of life.
How much does it cost to spread ashes in Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest?
In Yosemite Gateway, you can choose a shared Spreading Grove or private Memorial Tree to spread ashes. View pricing here
What are the benefits of Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest compared to cremation or funeral homes?
Yosemite Gateway provides a meaningful alternative to traditional options: a protected forest resting place without funeral home pressure. Your memorial supports conservation, becomes part of a living ecosystem, and gives your family a permanent place to visit.
Why choose Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest over other Memorial Forests?
People may choose Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest for its beautiful native tree species, sentimental value, and its commitment to stewarding the land.
Can I visit Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest anytime?
Yes! You can arrange an in-person visit anytime by contacting a Guide. Get Started
Can you get buried in Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest?
Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest allows spreading ashes, not traditional burial.
What are the steps to choosing a Memorial Tree in Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest?
Choosing a Memorial Tree is easy. Select the tree size, species, and location within the forest. You can choose online with the help of a Guide or visit the forest in person, whichever is easiest for your situation. Get Started
What to consider when choosing a Memorial Tree in Yosemite Gateway Memorial Forest?
Think about whether you want a Memorial Tree along an accessible path, in a sunny meadow where you can picnic, or in a more secluded location.
