Spreading Groves
A shared forest grove where ashes return to the earth.
What is a Spreading Grove?
A memorial that grows
Spread ashes in a shared grove within a protected Memorial Forest. A living tribute that honors your loved one and nurtures new life.
A meaningful return to nature; no complicated, costly arrangements.
Your memorial is preserved within a conservation forest in perpetuity.
Visit anytime for quiet reflection or peaceful forest walks.
Shared space, private moments: a community of remembrance.
Who chooses Spreading Groves?
People like you choose Spreading Groves
No complicated arrangements. A beautiful place, ready when you need it.
A return to the earth, in a living forest that grows for generations to come.
A shared grove that holds many lives, in a space that feels quietly sacred.
Why Spreading Groves?
Return your loved one to nature with purpose
After cremation, families need a place to remember. Spreading Groves give ashes a permanent home in protected forest—not on a mantle, not scattered without a place to return.
Somewhere real, somewhere beautiful, somewhere yours.
Everything you need to create a living memorial
A shared resting place in a protected conservation forest.
The forest is yours, any time. Bring family, friends and pets.
Permits, paperwork, all of it—handled before the day.
A self-led ceremony to gather and return ashes to the earth.
A Stewardship Trust protects the forest ecosystem forever.
A small, simple marker with name and dates.
Find the right fit for you
Spreading Grove
- Honors one life in a shared grove
- Location chosen for you
- Simple self-led memorial ceremony
- Includes small, simple marker
Starting at $2,250 • View Pricing
Bundle with cremation • Save $1,000
Memorial Tree
- Multiple people & pets at one tree
- You choose tree & location
- Add a personalized Guide-led ceremony
- Add customized Memorial Marker
Starting at $6,200 • View Pricing
Bundle with cremation • Save $1,000
Memorial Trees Protect Land
More than a memorial.
A conservation act.
Each of our nine Memorial Forests is cared for through long-term stewardship—actively managed and ecologically maintained.
When ashes return to the earth, they become part of a living forest. Your memorial doesn’t just rest in nature. It helps safeguard it.
Forest Stewardship
Long-term care of each forest: ecological monitoring, trail maintenance, and ongoing access for all families.
Minimal Footprint
No concrete vaults, no embalming chemicals, minimal development. Our process honors the earth.
Wildlife Corridors
Our forests connect to broader ecological networks, creating safe passage for at-risk wildlife species.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What families say
"Putting my mother to rest in the forest allowed my grief to rest, too. Today I visited on my first birthday without her—our decision was a great one."
Find your perfect Memorial Tree
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.
What to expect
What happens when you talk to 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.
You’re under no obligation. This is just a conversation.
Comparing Memorial Options
Memorial Trees: a natural alternative
Memorial Trees honor life differently than traditional, natural, or green burial—with practical advantages. They create what traditional memorials can’t: a living place that changes and grows with the seasons.
| Spreading Groves | Memorial Trees | Cremation Garden | Traditional Cemeteries | DIY Ash Scattering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Grove in protected forest | Individual tree in protected forest | Designated area in cemetery or park | Burial plot with headstone | Dispersed in nature (if permitted) |
| Honors | One life in a shared grove | Multiple people & pets at one tree | Multiple people in shared space | Individual plot | n/a |
| Legal Status | All permissions included | All permissions included | Permitted with purchase | Permitted with purchase | Often illegal without permits |
| Setting | Living, growing memorial | Living, growing memorial | Maintained grounds | Maintained grounds | n/a |
| Marker | Simple Memorial Marker | Customizable Memorial Marker | Often no individual marker | Tombstone | n/a |
| Visits | Perpetual access rights | Perpetual access rights | Fixed cemetery hours | Fixed cemetery hours | Nothing to return to |
| Maintenance | Self-sustaining ecosystem | Self-sustaining ecosystem | Required perpetual upkeep | Required perpetual upkeep | No maintenance need |
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 Spreading Grove?
A Spreading Grove is a designated area within a protected Memorial Forest where families can legally spread cremated remains.
Are Spreading Groves available in every forest?
Yes. Choose from nine Memorial Forests each offering a dedicated Spreading Grove with unique natural beauty. From coastal redwoods to Sierra foothills—protected forever, accessible always.
How is a Spreading Grove different from a Memorial Tree?
A Spreading Grove allows you to spread ashes in a shared grove within a protected memorial forest. While simpler than a Memorial Tree, it’s equally meaningful and offers a beautiful resting place in nature. If you prefer a dedicated tree that can be shared with family, friends, and pets over time, a Memorial Tree might be the better choice for you.
How is this different from scattering ashes in a national park?
Spreading Groves are legally designated for ash scattering with all permits included. Public parks and most natural areas prohibit ash scattering. Our Spreading Groves are protected forever, giving you a permanent place to return to and remember.
Can multiple family members be scattered in the same grove?
Yes. Multiple people share a Spreading Grove, each with their own dedicated space within it. Placement within the grove is chosen for you, and individual families are kept separate. If being together in one place matters—family, friends, and pets at a single, dedicated spot—a Memorial Tree gives you that.
What is the proper way to spread ashes?
The proper way to spread ashes depends on your location and local regulations. With Spreading Groves, all the logistics are handled for you. Our team ensures respectful, legal scattering within our protected Memorial Forests, so families can focus on remembrance.
Everything you need will be ready when you arrive, so you can focus on the experience.
Why is scattering ashes on public land illegal?
Ash spreading on public land isn’t always illegal, but often requires permits and advance planning. In California for example you need: your VS-9 permit (always required), written permission from the property owner (if it’s not your land), and compliance with local ordinances. Read more: Spreading Ashes in California.
Spreading Groves eliminate this uncertainty. All permissions, permits, and legal requirements are included, giving you a protected forest location where scattering is legal and welcomed.
Where is it appropriate or allowed to spread ashes?
Each state has different rules about where you can legally spread ashes. In California, some common locations require permits or permissions, while others are completely off-limits.
Improper ash disposal can come with serious consequences, depending on your state including: trespassing charges and fines up to $10,000.
Spreading Groves offer the best of all options: a legal, permanent location in protected forests with perpetual visitation rights, and beautiful natural settings.
How can I respectfully spread the ashes of a loved one?
Spreading ashes respectfully means honoring both your loved one and the environment. Spreading Groves are designed for respectful remembrance. Our dedicated Memorial Forests provide a peaceful setting with small, simple Memorial Markers so you can always return. The natural beauty of the grove—combined with the knowledge that you’re preserving nature—adds deep meaning to the ceremony. Families often find comfort in the living, evolving ecosystem where their loved one rests.
Can families visit after the spreading?
Absolutely! Family, friends and pets are welcome to visit your Spreading Grove for quiet reflection, hiking, or family gatherings.
Do Spreading Groves allow for ceremonies?
Yes. You are welcome to hold a Nature Memorial Ceremony in the forest for family and friends personalized to your family.
