As the diversification of the funeral industry has been changing from traditional burial to more cremation, the death services industry is getting very creative. In fact, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) estimated the national cremation rate as compared to traditional burial is projected to reach 80 percent by 2035.
While a greener funeral option is on the rise, so is the number of private for-profit enterprises where creating a consumerist experience is the ultimate goal.
TWIN PEAKS FOREST
The 52-acre forest in Twin Peaks along Highway 189, across from Pine Crest Conference Center and adjacent to the Scientology property, is pursued by a private enterprise, Better Place Forests.
WHY?
Better Place Forests expects an overall estimated inventory on this property of about 5,000 sellable trees, said Krystine Dinh, VP of Communications, Better Place Forests.
Founded in 2015, Better Place Forests has been buying forests and arranging conservation easements and selling people the right to have their cremated remains mixed with dirt and fed to a particular tree as a memorial gravestone.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Gibson started his company, Better Place Forests, selling a different kind of end-of-life experience using forest trees as a commodity.
According to Krystine Dinh, VP of Communications, their customers can claim a tree in perpetuity. Their website showcases three prices between $5,900 to $12,900 per tree. The costs do not include cremation, only the living tree in the forest. Then, an employee will install a small round plaque on the ground like a gravestone.
When the ashes arrive, the staff at Better Place will dig a three-foot by two-foot trench at the roots of the tree and mix the person’s cremated remains with soil and water by the tree.
San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust
The Mountain News reached out to Peter Jorris, president of San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust (SBMLT) regarding this pending transaction of land sale.
“SBMLT purchased the 52 acres about 10 yrs ago from the Royal Rangers,” said Peter Jorris. “That put an end to the multi-structure high-impact over-developed camp/amusement park that was planned onsite. Before that, in the 1990s, the site had been approved for a 60-unit housing subdivision. We bought the land with the aim of finding a way to keep it as natural as possible.”
Jorris said it’s a beautiful forest site next to National Forest land. “We believed the Forest Service would be open to acquiring it. However, the staff and budgets of the local Forest Service have been severely cut over the past two decades, and the congressional funding source that provides money for National Park & Forests to acquire land within their boundaries got suspended for over five years. SBMLT bought the land with money that’s intended to be recycled into new acquisition projects. With the Forest Service out of the picture, we became open to other options.”
When asked how Better Place Forests discovered the 52-acre of vacant land, Jorris said, “We learned about Better Place Forests several years ago, when a member attended the annual national conference of Land Trusts, where new and updated information on all things having to do with land trusts is shared in seminars, workshops and presentations attended by many of the 15,000 land trusts in the country. BPF was very interested in southern California and came to visit a couple of SBMLT’s properties. Then a couple years ago, after staying in contact, they made an offer on what we call the Strawberry Peak site. After modifications, our Board voted to accept the offer, which is contingent on BPF getting their memorial site approved by the County of San Bernardino.”
“That approval is in progress now with a scheduled planning commission hearing date set for July 8. Notices about the project have been sent out to surrounding property owners by both the County and Better Place Forests, explaining the nature of the project. From SBMLT’s standpoint, it is the least impactful use of the land that we can imagine, short of having the site kept in full conservation ownership. The beauty and natural integrity will be maintained over 90% of the site,” Jorris added.
“The transaction is currently in an extended escrow, of which the terms are still confidential. If BPF gets its final county approvals and the transaction is completed, the result for the community will be greatly superior to the former Royal Rangers project or an ordinary housing subdivision.”
The Mountain News posted the following questions for Better Place Forests, and Krystine Dinh provided the answers.
Is the purchase of the 52-acres in Twin Peaks contingent on the final approval of the plan from the San Bernardino County
Planning Commission?
Our purchase of the property is contingent on final approval of our CUP. Once we successfully have gained control of the property, we intend to close on the deal shortly after. We expect to close on the property sometime later this year.
A Conditional Use Permit is a land use approval permitting alternative property uses within San Bernardino County. In 2019, BPF presented our project to San Bernardino County staff to establish the appropriate permitting pathway to process our land use. Upon careful review, staff determined that BPF’s use can operate with a Conditional Use Permit.
What is the nearest business and residential home
from the property?
Our prospective property does not directly border any businesses or residences. All surrounding property uses are either religious institutions or government-owned parcels. The closest residence is in a subdivision located about 0.2 miles from the intersection of CA-189 and Pine Crest Road, while the nearest business is a carpeting/flooring enterprise about 0.6 miles from this intersection.
When did you reach out to neighbors?
After our CUP application was submitted in December of 2020, San Bernardino County staff sent out a required project notice to all property owners within a 700-foot radius of the property. In January, our team chose to voluntarily send a follow-up letter to all neighbors within this same radius, further introducing the project and making ourselves available for any questions.
How many trees are within the property?
Only a select portion of the trees on the property will be used for dedications. Usable inventory will be limited based on a number of factors including topography, wetland presence, and accessibility constraints. We expect an overall estimated inventory on this property of about 5,000 sellable trees.
How will the local community benefit from projects?
Through our use and operations, there are a variety of benefits that Better Place Forests can provide to the community. Firstly, our property will be overseen by 3-4 staff members called “Forest Stewards”. Our Forest Stewards are responsible for hosting visitors and performing property maintenance on site. These positions will offer full healthcare and benefits, presenting an ideal opportunity to retain local talent to the region. In addition to our own staff, Better Place Forests works with local consultants on site improvements and ongoing forest maintenance. Our ongoing work in forestry and land management on site will protect local natural resources for generations to come. Lastly, our project will provide local residents with a natural, cost-effective end-of-life alternative for those seeking to contribute to land conservation.
How much do you charge per tree per cremation ashes?
The cost of our tree dedications varies depending on tree size, species, and location. We offer a range of packages with transparent pricing (no hidden fees or surprise add-ons). Our base price starts at $4,900 and includes the rights to one ceremony. The rights to additional memorial ceremonies can be added to any package for $3,000 per person and $250 per pet.
Are these trees available for purchase by anyone in the world? Locals, US citizens and foreigners?
Our trees are available for purchase by any interested individual.
Has your company reached out to the neighbors
about this business?
Surrounding neighbors received a voluntary letter from BPF in January of 2021 shortly after we filed our CUP application with the County. This letter introduced our project and made our team available for any further questions. Through this letter, we have fortunately been able to build relationships with a handful of our neighbors over the phone.
How will the ashes be added to the ground?
During our memorial spreading ceremonies, cremated remains are mixed with local soil at a 3:1 soil-to-cremains ratio, as recommended by a consulting geologist, and placed at the base of each memorial tree. A small USGS-style memorial marker with a brief inscription is placed at the base of the tree, offering a natural-looking introduction to the forest floor.
How will Better Place Forests ensure Lake Gregory
is not contaminated by the cremated remains?
Although Dinh said their report found that any impacts to the greater ecosystem are highly unlikely due to the spatial and temporal distribution of the proposed spreadings, some residents in Twin Peaks/Crestline area are questioning the negative impact on water quality leading to Lake Gregory.
“This report also recommends that no spreadings take place in the active bed or banks of any watercourse or wetland, and to observe 50-foot seasonal buffers where no spreadings will take place during the wet season (October-April),” added Dinh. “Better Place Forests is committed to implementing these spreading restrictions to ensure any potential for transport to Lake Gregory is inconsequential.”
How do you recognize the history of the land
and aim to protect it?
Better Place Forests recognizes the development history of this property and is eager to see it conserved. In the 1990s, this property was approved for a 60-unit subdivision. This project never came to fruition and the property was transferred to the Royal Ranger youth organization in 2001 with plans for a high-intensity amusement park-style recreational camp. Compared to these other proposed uses, the development proposed by Better Place Forests is limited to the expansion of walking trails, an approximate 1,800 square foot visitor center, a maintenance shed, an entry driveway, and a small parking area. These improvements will be placed on a small portion of the property and the majority of the 52 acres will be conserved and managed as a memorial forest. Our ongoing forest management will protect local natural resources for generations to come and reduce the risk of wildfire in the community.
How many similar Memorial Forests
does the company own to date?
BPF currently has seven total memorial forests located in California, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Illinois.
According to Better Place Forests, the letter that was sent out to Twin Peaks neighbors stated, “Better Place Forests is creating America’s first conservation memorial forests. We acquire forested properties across the United States, permanently protecting their trees, open spaces, and wildlife habitats. We are able to achieve this conservation effort through the sale of tree dedications in our forests. With the purchase of a tree dedication, our customers are granted the exclusive right to scatter their cremated remains (cremains), or the cremains of their loved ones, at the base of their own private memorial tree. Our tree dedications present a natural, cost-effective alternative to traditional end-of-life memorials. They also provide our patrons a unique opportunity to leave a legacy supporting large-scale conservation efforts in the communities they call home.”
There are mixed reactions from local residents to this proposed plan. The Mountain News would like to hear from you. Please email us a letter to the editor:
[email protected].
Any residents who wish to speak at the County hearing regarding the Better Place Forests may attend the meeting in person and speak. The meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. at the San Bernardino County Government Center 385 North Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino.

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