Your ashes can become a Memorial Tree
Help protect a forest by spreading your ashes around a healthy, mature tree
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What is a
Memorial Tree?
Every Memorial Tree Includes
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 20 Tree illustration](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/24095814/Welcome_California_4D-3-150x150.webp)
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 21 Family and dog illustration](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/24095123/Welcome_California_5D-2-150x150.webp)
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 22 Deer in forest illustration](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/24095125/Welcome_California_6D-3-150x150.webp)
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 23 Tree sapling illustration](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/24095127/Welcome_California_7D-2-150x150.webp)
Better Place Forests vs. traditional cemeteries
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 24 Couple and their dog standing at Memorial Tree with Guide](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/24095710/Welcome_California_8D-7-300x200.webp)
BETTER PLACE FORESTS
$8,500
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 25 Headstones in a Traditional Cemetery](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/21111113/Welcome_California_9D-4-300x200.webp)
TRADITIONAL CEMETERY
$27,500
Find your forever tree
Choose your forest, tree species, and size of tree in one of our nine forests across America. Our expert guides are standing by to help schedule your forest tour.
CALIFORNIA
Point Arena
Trees start at
$5,900
CALIFORNIA
Santa Cruz
Trees start at
$9,900
CALIFORNIA
Yosemite Gateway
Trees start at
$5,900
CALIFORNIA
Lake Arrowhead
Trees start at
$5,900
ARIZONA
Flagstaff
Trees start at
$4,900
MINNESOTA
St. Croix Valley
Trees start at
$5,900
ILLINOIS
Rock River
Trees start at
$5,900
CONNECTICUT
Litchfield Hills
Trees start at
$5,900
MASSACHUSETTS
Berkshires
Trees start at
$5,900
Over 6,000 families served across nine forests
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 26](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142004/Chris-B_Testimonial-Slider.png)
The process of selecting a tree was deeply spiritual . I am a tree-hugging conservationist and Better Place Forests is exactly what I had in mind for my ashes.
Patricia D. Point Arena Forest, California![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 27](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142036/Patricia-D_Testimonial-Slider.png)
This is a thoughtful, environmentally smart approach to end-of-life. I appreciate that my children will have a place other than a cemetery to visit.
Francine S. Santa Cruz Forest, California![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 28](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142012/Francine-S_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
Better Place Forests is the perfect place for us. The idea of being out in nature under our tree gives us such a feeling of peace.
Joy B. Yosemite Gateway Forest, California![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 29](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142016/Joy-B_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
I think having a tree, having a place out in nature is so different. Instead of showing my son a plot in a cemetery I can show him a tree. It’s a chance to teach him about renewal and that life carries on.
Sarah B. Flagstaff Forest, Arizona![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 30](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142040/Sarah-B_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
Mother Teresa said, "Peace begins with a smile." My wild black cherry tree in the Rock River Forest brings a smile and a sense of peace, instead of angst.
Judith L. Rock River Forest, Illinois![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 31](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142018/Judith-L_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
Picking out a tree, a symbol of family and strength, felt right. My parent's tree is more than a place to visit, it’s a symbolic reminder of our connection.
Michelle C. St. Croix Valley Forest, Minnesota![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 32](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142032/Michelle-C_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
I have spent many days walking in the forest. When you listen to the birds, the wind, the rustling of leaves… it’s a monumental, picturesque experience.
Dwight and Renate B. Berkshires Forest, Massachusetts![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 33](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142010/Dwight-B_Testimonial-Slider-Image.png)
There’s something very magical about picking out your tree and knowing that you’ll become a part of that ecosystem. In a way, you’ll live on in the future.
Susan K, Litchfield Hills Forest, Connecticut![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 34](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20142048/Susan-K_Testimonial-Slider.png)
How it works
Choose your tree
Explore our protected forests online or in-person and choose your tree with the help of a Guide.
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 35 Family with dog chooses Memorial Tree](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20142020/Welcome_California_42D-1.webp)
Plan your Forest Memorial
Create a memorial that feels authentic to you. Plan readings, music, and more with the help of our expert team.
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 36 Forest Guide explains Memorial Trees](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20142025/Welcome_California_43D-1.webp)
Spread your ashes
When the time comes, ashes are mixed with local soil and returned to the base of your tree, becoming a part of the life of the forest. A marker is placed at your tree.
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 37 Family has Forest Memorial at Memorial Tree](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20142029/Welcome_California_44D-1.webp)
Enjoy your forest
You and your loved ones have ongoing access to the forest. Visit as often as you’d like.
![Welcome Memorial Tree For Ashes 38 Family sits in Memorial Forest](https://media.betterplaceforests.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20142033/Welcome_California_45D-1.webp)
Explore available trees with a Guide
Find the tree that speaks to you by exploring trees online.
What came as a wonderful surprise is the reverence the staff added to our Forest Memorial. They guided us through returning our loved one to the earth .
Chris B. Lake Arrowhead Forest, California