Cascade Memorial Blog

Living Memorial Program

While nothing can take the place of a departed loved one, there is comfort in knowing that as one life ends, a new one is just beginning. More than just a majestic memorial, living Memorial trees shelter wildlife, reduce water and wind erosion and contribute to the purity of the air we breathe, helping to improve the environment for generations to come.

The Living Memorial” Program is a symbol of our commitment to help families honor the lives of those they love. Established in 1976, the Living Memorial has helped to reforest thousands of acres of national forests and woodlands, one seedling at a time. Today, more than 12 million trees stand as living legacies in forests throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Cascade Memorial is proud to participate in this special program. When your family selects a Batesville casket, urn or cremation container, Cascade Memorial will request a tree seedling be planted in a national forest or woodland as a living tribute and memorial to your loved one. It’s a way to honor your loved one with a lasting memorial while helping the environment. Managed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, The Canadian Forestry Association, The Grand River Conservation Foundation, and other international forestry and conservation groups, tree species and planting locations are based on areas of greatest need – typically areas that have been damaged by fire, floods or other natural disasters. Although individual trees bear no visible identification, families receive a letter and certificate acknowledging that a seedling is being planted in memoriam.

The Living Memorial program helps ensure that future generations will know the beauty of a green planet — a lasting legacy to a life well lived. We at Cascade Memorial can provide you with more information on how you can participate in this program.