Memorial Tree Alternatives: Living Urns for Small Spaces
Memorial trees are a beautiful way to commemorate the well-lived life of a loved one. However, you may not want a tree or have the space to plant one nearby. Even if you have a yard or garden, trees have specific light, soil, and space requirements that may make planting one inaccessible. Fortunately, many meaningful memorial tree alternatives offer the same sense of presence, legacy, and comfort. From smaller shrubs and bushes that thrive in small yards or outdoor planter pots to stunning houseplants that can live indoors, let’s discuss several options for memorializing your loved one with a living urn.
What is a Memorial Tree and a Living Urn?
A memorial tree is typically planted in memory of a deceased loved one. It can be grown with or without the cremated ashes of the loved one being honored. Memorial trees symbolize growth, renewal, and the continuation of life. Many people find comfort in the idea that a living plant, which can flourish for years or even decades, carries the spirit of the honored person. You can plant Memorial trees in private gardens or designated memory forests. However, due to space or local restrictions, planting a traditional tree may only be feasible for some. This is where alternatives come into play, offering flexible and meaningful ways to pay tribute.
A living urn is any plant grown or planted with cremated ashes. Some memorial trees are living urns, but not all living urns are memorial trees. All the options we discuss below can be planted with or near your loved one’s remains in a lasting tribute to their life and your love.
Memorial Tree Alternative Benefits
Memorial tree alternatives offer several advantages over planting traditional trees:
- Saves Space: Ideal for people with limited outdoor space or who live in urban areas.
- Easy Maintenance: Smaller plants or shrubs require less care than full-sized trees.
- Flexibility: These alternatives can be planted indoors, in containers, or on patios, giving you more options.
- Personalization: Options such as rose bushes or indoor plants give you a wide range of options and the ability to personalize your memorial, e.g., if Grandpa had a favorite houseplant.
- Year-round beauty: Many of these memorials bloom at different times of the year, constantly reminding you of your loved one’s presence.
Elderberry Shrub Memorial
Popular in herbal medicine, the beautiful elderberry shrub is associated with healing and protection. It produces clusters of small white flowers in the spring and dark purple berries in the fall. Elderberry shrubs thrive in smaller gardens and can even be grown in containers.
Rose Bush Memorials
Roses have long been a symbol of love and remembrance, making them a beautiful tribute to a loved one who has passed. Rose bushes are available in many varieties, including climbing, miniature, and traditional garden roses, so there is a rose for any space. Roses’ symbolism is further broken down by color, making them a perfect memorial tree alternative. Plant your memorial roses in the ground or in large containers.
Memorial Houseplants
If you prefer houseplants or don’t have a yard, houseplants are lovely memorial tree alternatives. The Living Urn offers a beautiful indoor urn-style planter with separate compartments for ashes and a healthy houseplant. Many houseplants live for years with the proper care and are easily replaced if needed, with the significance remaining with the urn and the ashes it holds.
Hydrangea Memorial
Hydrangeas are another beautiful alternative to memorial trees. They are known for their large, lush blooms, which offer a striking and colorful tribute. They are well-suited to small garden spaces and can be grown in containers. Hydrangeas bloom in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white, are easy to care for, and are long-lived, serving as a perennial reminder of the loved one being honored.
Rose of Sharon Memorial
The Rose of Sharon is a hibiscus with showy, tropical-esque flowers that bloom during the summer. This shrub makes a beautiful memorial tree alternative due to the stunning blooms, smaller size, and easy maintenance. The Rose of Sharon grows well in small gardens and urban areas and is easy to prune to your desired size. It is an excellent choice for those living in warmer climates. Personalize your memorial based on pink, purple, or white blossoms.
Leyland Cypress
The Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen that grows well in small outdoor spaces. Its columnar shape makes it ideal for narrow areas, and can be pruned to maintain its desired height. This hardy shrub is often used in memorial plantings because of its longevity and beautiful evergreen foliage, symbolizing everlasting life. You can also plant the Leyland Cypress in large pots, making it a versatile memorial tree alternative.
Honor Your Loved One with the Living Urn
Living urns offer a deeply personal way to memorialize a loved one while providing comfort and a lasting tribute. Whether planted with a tree, shrub, bush, or houseplant, the Living Urn allows cremated remains to be incorporated into the soil, nurturing new life. This sustainable, eco-friendly option can be used with any of the alternatives listed above, ensuring that your loved one’s memory continues to grow and flourish, even in smaller spaces and indoors. Reach out to the Living Urn today to learn more about their patented bio urn and source memorial tree alternatives.