This Arbor Day, Plant a Tree in Memory of a Loved One

The United States was one of the first countries in the world to celebrate Arbor Day, a holiday dedicated to tree planting. Celebrated on the last Friday in April, this year we will recognize Arbor Day on April 26th. On this day, Americans are encouraged to plant trees and bushes, and provide extra care for our national habitat. Wouldn’t it be great to help the environment and pay tribute to your deceased love ones, too?

Planting a tree to honor the memory of a family member, friend, or pet can be a beautiful and deeply symbolic tribute. Here are several meaningful ways you and your friends and family can honor the life of a loved one with the enduring gift of a tree:

Do it yourself. Planting a tree from a seed or sapling isn’t particularly difficult, but it does require some knowledge, physical effort, and patience. But the time and energy you exert will be well worth it when you see the gorgeous tree you’ve planted in honor of your loved one grow and thrive. There are plenty of resources to assist in you in your effort, as well. Check out How to Plant Bare Root Saplings  and How to Grow a Tree or Shrub From Seed for guidance.

Have one planted where it’s needed the most. Trees for a Change plants trees in U.S. national forests, in locations specifically identified by the Forest Service, to replace those destroyed by wildfire, disease or insects. Planting a restoration tree is a thoughtful way to allow the memory of someone special to live on or to express your sympathy to a grieving family. There are a variety of gifting options to choose from, and you can even view photos of your donated tree in the online registry.

Gift a tree to the bereaved. Following a death, many people send funeral flowers, which look wonderful for a short time and then wither and die. You can avoid this depressing reminder of mortality by giving a memorial tree instead. This uplifting memorial gift serves as reminder of enduring life and can have deep meaning for the recipient. It’s a truly caring way to express your sympathy and allow the memory of someone special to live on.

Consider a living urn. If you loved one was cremated, you can incorporate his or her cremains into their memorial tree. The Living Urn is one company that can help you plant this type of living memorial. You can add your loved one's cremains to these urns and plant them in an outdoor space for a special remembrance that’s deeply personal and more than just symbolic.

Offer seeds or saplings at the memorial service. A small token handed out at the funeral or memorial service shows appreciation for the friends and family in attendance. This simple gesture is intended to provide something that will serve as a reminder of the departed. Why not give out something that can be planted to grow and bloom as a living memorial to your loved one? Visit Forget-Me-Not Seed Packets or Eco-Tree Seedlings to learn more.

By planting a tree in honor of a loved one, you can ensure that her or she is memorialized forever. It can also be an instrumental part of your own healing process. Would you like more information about memorial trees? Our knowledgeable, compassionate funeral directors are here to help. Please reach out to us anytime.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.