Better Place Forests is the company that created America's first conservation memorial forests. Their forests are sustainable alternatives to cemeteries. Instead of graves and tombstones, families choose a private, protected family tree to return their ashes to the earth together.
History The Sausalito, California based company, Better Place Forests Co., was founded in 2015 by Sandy Gibson, Brad Milne and Jamie Knowlton. The company focuses on end-of-life planning and forest conservation.
The company began in Northern California, with a flagship location on the Mendocino Coast in Point Arena, California. https://www.codaworx.com/projects/better-place-forest-point-arena/ It continued to expand across California, the Southwest, Midwest, and Northeast.
Locations Better Place Forests has nine operating forests across America.
California Better Place Forests Lake Arrowhead
Better Place Forests Point Arena
Better Place Forests Santa Cruz
Better Place Forests Yosemite Gateway
Southwest Better Place Forests Flagstaff
Midwest Better Place Forests Rock River
Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley
Northeast Better Place Forests Berkshires
Better Place Forests Litchfield Hills
The Better Place Forests Experience Cremation rates in the United States have been rising rapidly, with some forecasts estimating 75% of Americans will choose cremation by 2038.
Better Place Forests created a proprietary process of integrating ashes with soil, so the ashes can become a part of the forest ecosystem.
Ashes are first mixes with local soil in a vessel. Wildflower petals are added to the vessel as a symbol of beauty. Friends and family of the deceased are inviting to participate in this process.
Led by a Forest Guide, the group proceeds to the chosen Memorial Tree, taking in the sights and sounds of the forest.
At the Memorial Tree, the ash and soil mixtures are placed inside a "nest" made of forest floor. Families often choose readings or to share memories at the tree.
Lastly, wildflower seeds are sprinkled around the tree, a symbol of new life.
Once the ground has settled, a Forest Guide places a custom-inscribed bronze Memorial Marker, inspired by the USGS survey markers.
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