Traditionally, humans have been buried in coffins after the funeral service. This has created a large amount of land that is utilized for cemeteries. The land usage could be better allocated to something beneficial to the environment. With our global climate at an all-time risk of serious consequences, introducing botanical memorial gardens can revolutionize the way that we handle afterlife treatment. The cremation process does release carbon dioxide, however 400 trees are planted for each legacy tree planted. One memorial tree will offset the carbon dioxide released from a single cremation, but the extra trees will be planted to further lessen each individual environmental footprint. Utilizing human ashes to plant and restore forests, is an environmentally responsible way of allowing your loved ones to honor your life after you are gone.
Steps
There are three steps to converting human ashes into a tree:
- Choosing a tree
- Scheduling a tree-planting ceremony
- Visiting the tree and celebrating its growth
All of these are important and should be considered when starting this process. You can choose your tree and celebrate the tree planting ceremony while you are alive. This is a great way to celebrate an individual’s life before they have passed. You can also watch the tree grow until your ashes are added. This process is similar to selecting a gravesite plot before death. It lessens the overall burden of surviving family members and allows you to play a role in the planning process.
Tree Type
There is an abundance of trees to choose from when you decide to create a memorial tree. Each tree blossoms during a calendar season. If you would like a tree that blossoms in the spring, then you can choose a tree such as Cherry Blossom or Flowering Crab Apple. If you would prefer that your tree blooms during the winter, then you could go with a tree such as a Silver Birch or Redwood. There are options for every season. It is common for individuals to choose a tree that blossoms around their birthday, so that family members can celebrate them under flourishing branches.
Ash Treatment
Untreated cremated remains have a pH of around 12 and trees grow in soil with a pH of 6. Also, human ashes have a very high salt content. Treating the ashes creates an optimal soil pH level and reduces the salt content in the ashes before they are used to aid the tree growth. The ashes are treated and integrated with micronutrients that help foster optimal tree growth for your legacy tree. This process is completed before turning human ashes into a tree.
Weather
The forest location selected for the botanical memorial garden is an area of very low risk for fire, flood, and drought. The property has a large sprinkler system to maintain satisfactory hydration levels of all trees on the property. If your tree dies prematurely, a new one will be planted for you, and your soil will be conserved. Weather should not be an issue when considering planting your legacy tree.
Maintenance
A skilled team will be responsible for the health and safety of your tree for its lifetime. There is a four-kilometre sprinkler system to keep the legacy forest hydrated and flourishing all year long.
Memorial Details
Choosing to utiliseliving legacy trees in advance, will save your family the burden of burying you. Your ashes will be treated and added to your legacy tree. Each tree is given a plaque to honour the deceased. The customisable plaque can display a quote or saying under the individual’s name to add a personalised touch. One family legacy tree can be used for up to four loved ones. Treated soil can be added to the tree multiple times, creating the family tree.
Creating a living legacy tree is an eco-friendly way to tribute a beautiful life. A flourishing forest can keep your loved ones in high spirits when visiting you, and planting a tree allows you to keep giving back to the planet long after you are gone. Overall, this is a rather simple process and a unique way to honour your life and leave a lasting positive impact on the people you love and your planet.
