Better Place Forests - St. Croix Valley — Local services in Scandia

Better Place Forest, St. Croix Valley, Minnesota is where we decided to place our memorial. We heard about Better Place Forest from a close friend and after doing a little research, visiting the website and talking with the staff, we scheduled a visit last fall.

Our visits have greatly exceeded our expectations. We were immensely impressed with the experience, the forest, the staff and the very unique option for our memorial. We were already set on cremation but did not have any planning in place for a traditional cemetery memorial. We had talked about the planning for several years but it simply wasn’t a positive experience – more like a transaction. Our St. Croix Valley Better Places Forest experience was nothing like this at all! The forest is so beautiful and the scenery is stunning, established and peaceful.

There are a few very unique and unexpected factors or items that are included in a Better Places memorial tree that really made our decision to choose St. Croix easy. When we were informed that we can pass along our tree rights to our children as well as include our pets in the memorial, we knew this was the right place.

Also, funerals are a very difficult time for families. The energy of Better Places Forest, St. Croix is so impressive and really made us feel at home and knowing our friends and family will have a personal experience. With our pets being such a part of our family this was unexpected, amazing, special and a meaningful piece to our decision! The scenery of the walking trails through the forest has a unique and peaceful energy as well. Each part of the St. Croix Better Places Forest and lakeside is so beautiful and picturesque.

The most rewarding and ‘funnest’ experience was our journey of finding the part of the forest we felt most comfortable in and choosing a tree that fit our life journey. Once we were set on a part of the forest we really liked we then found another area we liked as much or even more. We had to visit a couple times before narrowing it down to our final and favorite place. We love that this choice we made is practical, energetic, peaceful and sustaining and complimentary to nature and the environment. We were surprised at how we can to the perfect tree for to be ours. As we hiked through Better Places Forest we looked at young trees, mature trees, perfect trees and unique or ‘not so perfect’ trees. We looked at trees by the lake, trees in a valley and trees that we more hidden and private. The staff was really informed, educated and helpful with all of our questions and changing needs. When finally deciding on the perfect tree, we picked a young red maple tree that had several bending branches and turns and bends and unique characteristics that really seemed to match the journey of our lives together.

Better Places Forest is a very positive place for our memorial where our family can visit and reflect and where we know we are also helping preserve the...

Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley - A Place of Peace and Reflection

I recently visited Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley to bury my father, and I was deeply moved by the peaceful atmosphere. The forest is beautifully maintained with lovely paths and shaded areas that offer a serene environment for reflection. Lisa, Tori, and Jessica at Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley were compassionate and attentive, providing support and assistance with genuine kindness. Their professionalism during such a delicate time was greatly appreciated, and they made sure that every detail was taken care of with the utmost respect. I also noticed how thoughtfully the forest was laid out, with clear signage and paths that make it easy for visitors to find their way. The memorials are tastefully arranged, creating a respectful and dignified space for remembering those who have passed. Overall, Better Place Forests St. Croix Valley offers a comforting and tranquil setting for families to honor their loved ones. I am grateful for the care and dedication shown by the team here and would highly recommend this forest to anyone in need of...

We first learned about Better Place Forests and the St. Croix Valley location through an article in the Star Tribune. It was thoughtfully written, and we were intrigued. Eventually we scheduled a visit and began an unexpected but wholly meaningful journey along the path of end-of-life planning. Our guide Tori was so knowledgeable about the forest, the individual trees, and the planning process. More importantly, she was well-attuned to the sensitive and spiritual nature of our thoughts and questions. By the end of our first visit, we were convinced that compared to other options for burial, this was the right choice for us. To spread our cremains at the base of our specially chosen tree—a tree we and our family can visit as often as we wish, before and after our deaths—makes good spiritual and ecological sense. The forest is such a gift of peace and grace. We are pleased that our family is entirely on board with our choice as well. We are relieved that our plans are in order, and we hope to enjoy many walks in the forest, watching...