Where Do You Plant a Memorial Tree With Cremated Ashes?
Choosing to plant cremated ashes of a loved one and grow a tree memorial with The Living Urn's patented tree urn has become a very popular option for families in recent years. Despite this growing popularity, tree memorials are still a relatively new concept for many and most people try to quickly educate themselves about planting cremated ashes only after a loved one passes.
Below we’ve highlighted some of the most popular places for planting of cremated ashes with The Living Urn:
On Private Property
Many people choose to plant their loved one’s cremated ashes with a biodegradable urn on their own property or the property of a friend or family member. This can include a yard, a field, or even on a patio. It can be a beautiful memorial right outside your door, and something that can be viewed daily from the kitchen window to keep the memory of your loved one present. Enjoy the tree’s natural beauty, the shade it provides, and the wildlife it brings to your yard and that it supports. There are no national regulations in place regarding planting cremated ashes on private property, however, it is always best to check with your local city, county or even state offices to see if any special rules or regulations exist. In general, many parts of the U.S. allow for burying or scattering ashes on private property. Some other parts of the country may have some rules but there is a practical ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ understanding. As mentioned above, we recommend looking into your local laws, which is easy to do. Click here for some examples of families planting Living Urns on their property to honor their loved one and give back.
In a City Park
We all love our city parks and for some of us they have a special meaning. Maybe it was a favorite place to take walks together, or maybe a place where family would send time together at picnics or barbeques, or where the kids would play growing up. For some of us, our city parks have a special connection to our family and are the site of many very special memories. For this reason, city parks are a popular local option for families to plant a tree memorial of a loved one. Parks can always use more trees and being part of a park’s beauty is a great way to add to its landscape for the entire community to enjoy. Many city parks are open to The Living Urn and welcome the addition of a new tree. To plant at a city park, it will be necessary to contact your city offices to get permission first and they are generally easy to reach. Click here for some examples of our customers planting beautiful trees with Living Urns at their city park.
In a State or National Park
Many people love to visit State and National Parks throughout the year. These parks are some of the most beautiful places in the United States and their sheer beauty is truly a site to see! For some, these parks have special meaning as they were a favorite family vacation spot or just a place they loved to go. Over the past few years, The Living Urn has heard many stories of many families who have planted Living Urns at these parks and now make it a regular place to visit. Planting native trees in these locations can not only be a way to honor a loved one but also a wonderful way give back to nature. To plant at a state or national park, you need to first contact the relevant park service for permission and guidance on the type of tree to plant so you do not disrupt the ecosystem of the park. Also, keep in mind for every Living Urn planted, we plant a second tree in a National Park to give back on behalf of your loved one - see our current reforestation projects.
At a Cemetery, Memorial Park or Green Burial Ground
Most cemeteries and memorial parks are protected areas that will never be built on and the land use will remain a cemetery or memorial park indefinitely. For this reason, among others, many people find these to be a great place to have a tree planting of a loved one. It can be nearby where other loved ones are buried or interred, and many families elect to have a plaque or other type of marker near the tree memorial. Many cemeteries and memorial parks are open to this idea and love having more trees on-site. In addition, The Living Urn recently formed partnerships with over 30 cemeteries and memorial parks nationwide and together have formed Memory Forests – places where a loved one’s cremated ashes can be planted with a tree and cared for.
At a Church
Many churches throughout the U.S. have started allowing Living Urns to be planted on their property and some have even set aside land to offer this to the members of their congregation. We believe this is a beautiful idea and if your church has not already done so, it would be a great idea to propose. Planting trees at the church adds beauty for everyone to enjoy and keeps the memory of the lost loved ones present.
At a Golf Course
Did the person who passed love golf, or was he or she part of a golf community at a certain course? The Living Urn has heard many stories of families planting at a golf course. Golf courses often need trees and many golf courses are open to this idea, however, you most likely will need to plant a tree species that fits with the other trees growing at the course.
On the Patio or In the Home
Many families plant The Living Urn in a large pot on the patio with a rose bush, small shrub, or even a small tree. This is a great option for people who don’t have a yard or other special place to plant and want their loved one’s memorial nearby.
Another great option that’s growing in popularity is planting cremated ashes in a Living Urn Indoors / Patio. This special porcelain indoor plant urn comes in white, blue or beige and measures about 9” tall and 9” wide. The planting can be done with one of the five beautiful bonsai tree options offered by The Living Urn, or with a special bonsai or houseplant that you can pick up at your local store. In addition, it comes with instructions on how to use the urn as a vase for cut flowers – a beautiful option that can keep an array of colors in the home year-round!
Other Planting Options
If you’re considering a Living Urn tree memorial and are trying to decide where to plant cremated ashes, hopefully the ideas highlighted above are helpful. We’ve also heard other beautiful stories of people planting tree memorials at a school, adjacent to a community center, on an Indian reservation, and in front of a sports field, among others.
Multiple Tree Memorials
Many families are choosing to divide up cremated ashes among family members or friends of a loved one and plant multiple tree memorials in their honor. This can be a memorial at more than one favorite place, or a memorial for each family member or friend. The Living Urn comes with instructions on planting less than one set of ashes with a tree memorial, making it easy on families who choose to do this.