Unlike traditional cemeteries that may feel like cold, impersonal spaces, memorial parks are often more welcoming and natural. This is due to their emphasis on greenery and landscapes.
Early board members and initial investors included a who’s who of leaders representing Detroit’s Black community. They were attorneys, business owners, doctors, dentists, clergy and more.
Planting a Tree in Memory of a Loved One
Symbolizing growth and life, trees are an ideal choice to honor the memory of a loved one. In contrast to traditional cemeteries that feature rows of headstones and monuments, memorial parks focus on creating welcoming spaces that emphasize nature and provide a peaceful environment for families and friends to visit.
The popularity of memorial parks reflects a shift in how people think about death and mourning. More and more families are seeking positive, life-affirming ways to honor their deceased loved ones and find comfort in nature. Memorial parks offer a tranquil setting that can help ease the grieving process and provide a sense of peace and continuity.
Memorial parks also support sustainability by encouraging tree planting and reforestation projects. This helps to mitigate climate change and improve air quality while also contributing to habitats for wildlife. Unlike funeral homes, memorial parks do not use materials like stone, wood, concrete, or toxic fluids for coffins and vaults, making them a more eco-friendly option.
Creating a Living Tribute
In addition to a tranquil space for reflection, a memorial park offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the health of the environment. Over the last decade, a staggering 130.9 million hectares of land has gained new tree cover—a testament to people’s growing desire for green end-of-life options.
Families can personalize their memorial by planting trees and plants with special meaning for their loved one or choosing a natural setting that resonated with them. Many parks also allow for additional personalized touches such as hanging a symbolic wind chime or scattering seeds to grow wildflowers at the site.
The final touch is designing a marker that combines a thoughtful blend of practical choices and deeply personal expression. The marker is the quiet storyteller of a living tribute, providing context and honoring your loved one with each visit. The marker can include the person’s name, significant dates (birth and death), and a message of love. This is a great way to create a permanent and lasting legacy that will continue to grow over time.
Tranquil Setting for Reflection and Remembrance
Memorial parks provide a serene setting for reflection and remembrance, often with more visual beauty than traditional cemeteries. Their landscapes feature greenery and thoughtfully designed pathways, providing a calm atmosphere that supports healing and peace.
A memorial park also features seating areas for visitors to pause and meditate in the presence of a living tribute. These benches can be found along garden pathways, overlooking tranquil waters, or nestled beneath a canopy of trees.
The Memorial plaza at Ground Zero contains nearly 400 swamp white oaks, arranged in groups of “meaningful adjacencies” to honor the crew members of each flight and first responder agencies and units. It also includes a Callery pear tree that survived the attacks and served as a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
The enduring nature of trees makes them a meaningful memorial choice for families that want to preserve their loved one’s legacy. With a memorial forest, the family can plant a tree in memory of their loved one and trust that the trees will continue to thrive for generations.
Creating a Sustainable Tribute
Whether you’re planning a traditional funeral or a memorial park service, there are many ways to honor your loved one while making a positive impact on the environment. Some options include using biodegradable urns for cremation or holding a remembrance ceremony in a serene setting surrounded by natural beauty. Choosing sustainable materials and limiting energy use are also effective for a more environmentally conscious tribute.
Another option is to plant a tree in memory of your loved one. Trees are enduring symbols of life and growth. Unlike traditional monuments that can decay over time, trees grow stronger and more beautiful with age, and some species (like the ginkgo biloba) can live for over a thousand years.
Other eco-friendly options include establishing a bird sanctuary or installing a butterfly garden in honor of your loved one. Organizing a memorial cleanup day in your loved one’s favorite park or beach also helps to reduce pollution and restore the ecosystem.