Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s toughest challenges. During these times, finding a meaningful way to honor their memory can provide comfort and a sense of connection. This is where Memorial Trees and Memorial Markers come into play—they offer not just a dedicated place of remembrance, but a living tribute that stands the test of time.

A Living Tribute

When you choose a Memorial Tree, you give your loved ones, including beloved pets, a beautiful, life-filled place to visit for generations to come. Unlike traditional tombstones, a Memorial Tree is part of a living forest. It offers a sense of healing through its natural surroundings and the restorative power of nature.

“My dad, a renowned wildlife biologist, dedicated his life to conservation,” shares Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley community member Mikaela D. about why she chose a tree instead of a tombstone. Their family held a Forest Memorial on Father’s Day, where they spread his ashes and those of their beloved childhood dog, Tux. Mikaela adds, “My dad loved Western movies, and we found the perfect quote [for the Memorial Marker]: ‘It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living.’ ”

A Place to Visit and Reflect

A Memorial Forest is a beautiful place of remembrance; it’s a sanctuary where memories can be cherished and new ones can be made. “There’s something [profoundly important] about having a [specific] place to visit that’s important to me,” says Better Place Forests community member Lea G. “I love knowing [that] my family has become a part of a living, vibrant forest.” 

Healing Power of Nature

A Memorial Tree also taps into the healing power of the forest. An established, growing tree serves as a resting place for cremated remains. Forest Guides anchor a customized Memorial Marker at the base of your tree, blending it seamlessly into the forest landscape. They are constructed of heavy-duty bronze and are specially designed to withstand extreme weather and to last an eternity. This natural resting place offers a sense of peace and continuity that is deeply comforting.

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“I may have some outbursts because I miss you,” reflects Better Place Flagstaff community member Kris L. on her husband. “But I’m not grieving because you’re in a great place.”

A Protected Resting Place

Rather than a cemetery, a Memorial Forest serves as a protected place to return ashes to the earth. Choosing a mature Memorial Tree in iconic protected forest locations coast to coast ensures that the legacy of your loved one will continue to grow and thrive. 

Better Place Forest Community Member Delia A. shares, “I was so relieved that I had finally found a resting place for my husband and our dog.”

That’s because a protected Memorial Forest means your Memorial Tree will be preserved, protected, and maintained in perpetuity and the forest surrounding it can only be enhanced for the purpose of conservation. 

Each Memorial Tree customer is granted an irrevocable license to access that Memorial Tree and a Memorial Marker is placed at the base of the tree, symbolic of the enduring ownership of that tree. In fact the tree number inscribed on the Memorial Marker is also recorded with local governments.

A Celebration of Life

After purchasing a Memorial Tree, you can opt for memorial services like Forest Memorials—intimate and personalized ceremonies that celebrate and honor life in a way that feels both natural and profound. During the ceremony, ashes are mixed with soil from the base of your Memorial Tree and then returned to the earth. Once the earth has settled, a Forest Guide commemorates your special place with a customized Memorial Marker.

The Memorial Marker is significant because it humanizes your Memorial Tree with important details such as your loved one’s name, title, key dates, and a meaningful phrase inscribed on it. This helps those passing by reflect—there’s a person’s ashes beneath the roots giving life to the tree.

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Better Place Forests Point Arena community member Kim A. shares, “Having our tree has given me a gift. It’s as if Matt wanted me to have this special place to visit. It gives me a journey in place of our camping trips. It reminds me of the beautiful forests we explored over our 30 years together.”

A Sustainable Alternative 

While rows of headstones conjure up images of death and feelings of sadness, a Memorial Forest is alive. It’s a joyous place filled with incredible sights, sounds, and smells that are ever-changing with the seasons. Choosing a Memorial Tree is not just about remembering a loved one; it’s about giving back to nature. It honors their legacy with something that continues to grow and nourish the earth. 

“We wanted a place that looks and feels like home,” explains Better Place Forests Rock River community member Dana M.D. about her choice of a Memorial Tree over a cemetery. “It’s important to both of us that we are feeding the earth, feeding the trees, feeding the forest.”

Better Place Forests Santa Cruz community member Jenny H. adds, “Life continues on in the forest …The forest is alive. Memories are alive.”

Whether you’re a nature lover, adventurous spirit, or looking for a natural alternative to cemeteries—everyone is welcome in the forest. And having a place matters. When your Memorial Tree is commemorated with a customized Memorial Marker, it gives a glimpse of who the person was. Small, but mighty, the Memorial Marker says a lot about the person—providing a comforting sense of a loved one’s spirit.  

The Personalized Touch

One of the unique aspects of a Memorial Tree is the Memorial Marker. It has the ability to be customized with an inscription, unique as each individual. Markers can be inscribed with:

• Name – Making it a personal and lasting tribute.
• Key Dates – Forever mark the significance of your existence in time from birth to passing. 
• Meaningful Statement – Whether it’s a quote, saying, or personal phrase, this inscription adds a layer of sentiment and connection.
• Tree Number – Helping you and your family locate the exact section and trail where the tree is planted.

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Return Again, And Again

Unlike when you scatter ashes outdoors in the open, when you have a Memorial Tree, you have a dedicated place to return. Generations of families return to their Memorial Tree annually to see how it has grown or changed with the seasons. The Tree Number inscribed on the Memorial Marker makes it easy to navigate your way back to this special place again and again. Many choose to come back and honor their loved ones by decorating their Memorial Marker with wildflowers and objects found in nature.

Meaningful Keepsakes

Memorial Markers are so significant, in fact, that often during seasonal forest events, Better Place Forests invites guests to create a copper take-home Tree Tag replica to commemorate a loved one with a truly special keepsake. Some community members have even commissioned artists like @madelinerectoro to create this spectacular mosaic of their tree and the Memorial Marker. 

Plan Your Living Legacy

A Memorial Tree isn’t just a tribute; it’s a living testament to the life and legacy of your loved one. It offers comfort, a sense of connection, and a place to return to, year after year, season after season. If you want to create a meaningful place to honor the memory of your loved one, consider a Memorial Tree and Memorial Marker.

Take the first step towards creating a lasting tribute by talking with one of our Forest Guides today. They’ll help you refine your selection and ensure that your Memorial Tree and Memorial Marker are as unique and special as the person you’re remembering.