Hey there, it‘s your favorite fashionista here. I know, I know – usually I‘m all about the latest style trends and must-have accessories. But today, I want to switch gears and share something a bit more personal that I think you‘ll find meaningful. I‘m talking about Better Place Forests, a company that‘s totally changing the game when it comes to end-of-life planning.
Stick with me as I give you my honest, unfiltered take on this incredible service that‘s making memorial forests mainstream. Trust me, this is information you‘ll be glad to have, even if it‘s not the most comfortable topic. Because real talk: we all need to think about this stuff eventually. And Better Place Forests is making that a whole lot easier and more beautiful.
What Is Better Place Forests, Anyway?
In a nutshell, Better Place Forests offers an alternative to traditional burial by allowing you to purchase a protected memorial tree in a stunning forest setting. When the time comes, your ashes are mixed with soil and placed at the base of your tree during a personalized ceremony.
The company was founded in 2015 by Sandy Gibson, who wanted to create a more meaningful way to memorialize loved ones after losing his own parents. Together with co-founders Brad Milne and Jamie Knowlton, Sandy set out to conserve iconic forests across the U.S. while giving families a beautiful place to reflect and remember.
Some key things that set Better Place Forests apart:
- They partner with conservation organizations to protect the forests forever
- You can choose your exact tree and customize a memorial marker
- Visiting your tree offers a peaceful experience in nature vs. a dreary cemetery
- It‘s a more environmentally sustainable option than resource-heavy burials
Pretty amazing, right? But of course, you probably have some questions. Like how much does it actually cost? And what‘s it really like to visit a memorial forest? Don‘t worry, I‘m getting to all that.
How Much Does a Better Place Forest Tree Cost?
The biggest factor in price is the size and species of the tree you select, as well as the location of the forest. Better Place Forests offers four main packages:
| Package | Starting Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Tree | $6,900 | One person, 8-12 foot tree |
| Legacy Tree | $9,900 | Two people, 12-18 foot tree |
| Monument Tree | $14,900 | Two people, 18-25 foot tree |
| Landmark Tree | $25,900 | Four people, 25+ foot tree |
At first glance, the cost might seem high compared to a traditional burial plot. But when you consider that the average funeral nowadays costs over $7,000 (not including the plot and headstone!), Better Place Forests starts to look pretty reasonable. Especially for the priceless experience of memorializing a loved one in such a special way.
What‘s It Like to Visit a Better Place Forest?
This is the part I really want to emphasize, because it‘s what sold me on Better Place Forests over a standard cemetery. Visiting your memorial tree isn‘t a somber, depressing experience focused on death. It‘s a chance to connect with nature and your loved one‘s memory in a place that‘s bursting with life and beauty.
Each forest has serene walking trails where you can take your time reaching your tree and soak in the peaceful surroundings. Once you‘re there, you‘ll see a personalized memorial marker that celebrates your loved one‘s unique spirit. Sitting beneath the tree, you can‘t help but feel a sense of connection to something bigger.
But don‘t just take it from me – here‘s what a few customers had to say about their Better Place Forests experience:
"I never felt good visiting my grandparents in a busy cemetery. But being amongst the trees, hearing the birds, feeling the breeze – there‘s a sense of celebration and peace. This is exactly where I picture them." – Lisa P.
"It‘s hard to put into words, but you just feel differently than at a traditional grave site. More at ease, more connected to nature and to memories of my husband. The burden of loss feels a little lighter here." – Thomas W.
Convinced yet? I know I am. But look, I‘m not going to tell you what to do. Deciding on a final resting place is an incredibly personal choice that everyone needs to make for themselves. I will say that if you‘re looking for a memorial option that allows you to honor your loved one in a natural setting, Better Place Forests is absolutely worth exploring.
Is Better Place Forests Right for You?
If you‘ve read this far, I‘m guessing the concept of a memorial forest has struck a chord with you. But how do you know if Better Place Forests is truly right for your end-of-life plans? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do I feel at peace in nature?
- Would I like my legacy to support forest conservation?
- Do I prefer the idea of a tree as a memorial over a traditional headstone?
- Am I okay with cremation vs. traditional burial?
- Is the price point realistic for my family‘s budget?
There‘s no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. I‘d encourage you to discuss the options with your loved ones, because this decision impacts them too. You may even want to schedule a free online consultation with a Better Place Forests advisor to get your questions answered by an expert.
The Bottom Line on Better Place Forests
I know I‘ve thrown a lot of information your way in this Better Place Forests review. Here‘s the key takeaway I want to leave you with: this company is offering a truly beautiful, meaningful way to create a final resting place for yourself or a loved one. It‘s not the right fit for everyone, but it IS right for a growing number of people who value legacy, conservation, and connection to the natural world.
Speaking as someone who has witnessed the experience of visiting a memorial tree firsthand, I can tell you it‘s downright magical. There‘s something so comforting about having a special place in nature to return to again and again, watching it grow and change with the seasons, just like your love for the person you lost.
If you‘re intrigued by the concept, I highly recommend reaching out to Better Place Forests to learn more. With forests in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, and Washington (and more on the way), there‘s likely a location within reach of you.
More than anything, I hope this review has made you feel a little more at peace with the idea of planning for the inevitable. We don‘t like to talk about death, but we can‘t escape it either. Better Place Forests is helping us approach it in a gentler, more positive way – and that‘s a beautiful thing in my book.
What do you think about Better Place Forests? Is a memorial tree something you‘d consider? I‘d love to hear your take, so drop a comment below.
And hey, thanks for sticking with me as I veered off the fashion path for a minute. Felt good to share something so personal and meaningful with you. Don‘t worry, I‘ll be back to my regularly scheduled style content in no time. 😉
Until next time!
Xoxo,
Your Trusty Fashionista
