Better Place Forests - Yosemite Gateway, Coulterville, California

Kelley Jones

3 months ago

Beautiful experience! It was everything I wanted for my father's ashes. Ashley & Laurie were so kind, helpful and treated the ashes with solemnity & honor. The programs were simple, the marker was so beautiful & it was rush delivered - just in time for the memorial! There were snacks, umbrellas available if it rained ... they think of everything! The forest is absolutely amazing, quiet and serene. I would 100% recommend Better Place Forests as a final resting place for you or your loved ones.

amanda mattern

a year ago

Putting my mother to rest at Better Place Forests allowed a large part of my grief to rest as well. Today I went for a visit in lieu of my first birthday without her. Ashley was amazingly patient with me, provided a friendly greeting and send off, and encouraged me to explore. I spent more time than I anticipated having a walk and finding nature’s ways to decorate our tree. Better Place continues to prove our final decision was a great one. What a blessed feeling.

Melanie Weber

7 months ago

Sarah was a perfect host she was knowledgeable and not pushy. I had a delightful time with her walking around the park. I will bring my dogs in the spring to avoid any burrs or ticks. The grounds are immaculate and the TLC for the forest is evident everywhere.

Silvana Brindisi

9 months ago

Ceremony I planned with help of wonderful staff including Ashley and Sara far exceeded my expectations. It brought Joy and was meaningful. Being in such Beauty added to this memorable experience. I look forward to visiting and sharing... comforted to have my special tree and place always...

Winslow St Pierre

a year ago

After my younger sister passed, our family was too overcome with sudden grief to attempt navigating the funeral industry. Having lost my father and grandfather in the past year, we found the experience with funeral homes draining, unsympathetic, and borderline predatory. We wanted my sister’s internment to reflect the generosity of spirit she carried through life and definitely found it in Better Place Forests. The sales process was a quick point-and-click experience that we were able to comprehend simply and in our own time without the need of a sales person, and when we did ultimately interact with the customer service side of things, Better Place Forests provided empathy and incredible patience. I never once felt rushed to make a decision, nor was there ever even a single attempt to upsell me on anything. It was the exact alternative we had hoped for. Every step of the process was centered on my sister and her memory.Knowing my sister is truly peacefully at rest provides me comfort beyond measure. Visiting the forest was an experience completely unique to visiting a cemetery; much less somber, more vivacious and active. I wish I could give it ten stars!

Marilyn Saner

a year ago

My backpacking son died too soon. His wish was to have a green burial in a place he loved backpacking and Better Place Forests is where he will spend eternity. The forest is beautiful and well cared for and I feel like I did exactly what he wanted me to do.

Susan Mendoza

9 months ago

It was a beautiful and a quiet place. It was perfect. The staff were very nice and accomodating. Ashley and the team were very understanding and patient through the whole process. All in all 5 stars rating. Truly a “better place”.Thank you so much.

Omar Salazar

7 months ago

The team at BPF are some of the kindest, most resourceful, and helpful folk. It was such a pleasure getting to work with them all to find the right tree for our family. I'm incredibly happy to say that I've had 10/10 quality services from Better Place. Would definitely recommend anyone interested to check them out!

Michelle Stiles

8 months ago

Discovering Better Place Forests at Yosemite Gateway was a sliver of light and peace when my husband, Bill, passed away last year. In our earlier end-of-life planning we had purchased a place in a crypt. However, when the time came I knew it wasn't the place for us.I struggled until I found information on Better Place Forests and from the first contact with them I knew a tree near Yosemite was the answer for us. Forests were a large part of our years together and it was clear a tree was the perfect location to place our ashes.Every conversation I have had with Better Place Forests has been so wonderful and I can't say enough about how kind and thoughtful Ashley and Sarah were--helping me find the perfect tree for us and guiding us through placing Bill's ashes. I am so thankful my family and I will have a beautiful tree and forest to visit and remember the happiness we experienced in nature during our life.

Lisa Zamora

a year ago

Totally enjoyed visiting my tree at Yosemite Gateway. I am so very happy that I took care of this much needed necessity of my and my family members end of life placement. I’m very happy knowing our eternal place of rest will be in a beautiful and peaceful place full of life.Dog-friendliness: Also my doggies and kitties will be with us at our time of rest. My dogs loved visiting our tree!

Renee Sharp

a year ago

August 20 2023 when I left BPF Yosemite Gateway I couldn’t shake the feeling that I left something behind, searching my mind for what it could be I realized I was leaving my mother behind. The grief struck like a bolt of lightning through my heart and I had to pull the car over. It was that moment I realized why people go visit loved ones in their resting place. Always knowing they really are not there physically, but understanding then I need a place to be with her with out the noise of life.I told her I would return in Fall and did so the other day. After emailing to be sure the gates would be open, I was so pleased to see the staff had placed a bench in front of our family’s tree and I was greeted with warm smiles by the same lovely ladies whom helped us lay my mom to rest in August. After my visit I went for a nice walk through the Forrest trails. I even stopped to pick apples from the ole orchard trees.I can’t think of a more beautiful and welcoming atmosphere. This memorial Forrest is in the Yosemite National Forrest and beautiful soles are at rest throughout the peaceful 184 acres. I wasn’t sure what I was buying into so many years ago when this memorial concept was being created but I must say the service was so much more than I could have possibly expected.I whole heartedly recommend The Better Place Forrest to any family!!They have forrest’s now in Santa Cruze and in Mendocino too.Thanks for reading my experience. 😊🤟

Nemesis Nepomuceno

4 months ago

I can’t put in words how wonderful the staff and the place is. I enjoy the peace and serenity of coming here to visit my son’s memorial.

Dawna Lee

7 months ago

Exceptional.I cannot begin to express how lovely this experience was and how much care, respect, kindness & personal attention we received from Better Place Forests' staff, specifically Ashley and Laurie. Ashley walked us thru each step of the process and every detail was curated from the ceremony to sprinkling of wild flower seeds around my Dad's tree.Better Place Forest is also a nature conservancy which I appreciate--to ensure the majesty of Yosemite for future generations.Thank you Ashley and Laurie!

Linda Ortega

a year ago

The two guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. They made my experience a very happy and memorable occasion. I'm confident when the time comes my son and his family will be equally pleased.Thank you

Mark Hartung

8 months ago

I went to visit my tree yesterday at the Yosemite Gateway forest. Everything was perfect…the staff was friendly and welcoming, patiently answering all my questions. The forest was even more beautiful than the pictures show. Planning end of life details is important but unpleasant; however, the folks at Better Place make it so much easier. I know I made the right choice.

L T

7 months ago

They were very kind, respectful and absolutely spectacular for my husband's memorial. Cannot thank Ashley and Sarah enough. I am so grateful to them for a beautiful ceremony that went perfectly.

Allessandria Polizzi

a year ago

We chose Better Place Forest for interring our grandparents. At this difficult time for our family, having an option that celebrates their love for the planet and nature was a perfect way to honor their legacy. I can't say enough about the amazing support the team provided our family. Their respect and gentle approach helped us feel safe even when we were experiencing deep sorrow for our loss.If you want to see an example of a ceremony, here is ours: https://youtu.be/YzIQUyUrenM

Robert Abernathy

a year ago

When My wife and I purchased our memorial tree at Better Place Forest Yosemite Gateway we included our dogs. This past weekend we placed the ashes of four of our dogs. I cannot say enough about how impressed we are. The standard cemetery is usually in poor condition and all about death. As the ashes were mixed with soil it was explained how the ashes benefited the tree, actually giving nutrients to the tree. Instead of thinking about death we were reminded of the lives of our dogs and the life of the tree and forest. We feel we set our dogs free. In a hundred years it is unlikely anyone will remember our ashes are placed at our memorial tree or even who we were, but everyone can enjoy the beauty of our tree and forest.

Tim Linerud

3 months ago

Ashley and Sarah did an amazing job

Kimberly Carlson

a year ago

I was looking for a special place to inter my husband. We loved Yosemite and it seemed fitting to find a tree where he can lounge for eternity. The staff at Better Place Forests are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I recommend this as an alternate to crypt burial any day. It gives me another great reason to head up to Yosemite. Thanks for the beautiful service and care of the remains and his tree!

Kelley Jones

3 months ago

Beautiful experience! It was everything I wanted for my father's ashes. Ashley & Laurie were so kind, helpful and treated the ashes with solemnity & honor. The programs were simple, the marker was so beautiful & it was rush delivered - just in time for the memorial! There were snacks, umbrellas available if it rained ... they think of everything! The forest is absolutely amazing, quiet and serene. I would 100% recommend Better Place Forests as a final resting place for you or your loved ones.

amanda mattern

a year ago

Putting my mother to rest at Better Place Forests allowed a large part of my grief to rest as well. Today I went for a visit in lieu of my first birthday without her. Ashley was amazingly patient with me, provided a friendly greeting and send off, and encouraged me to explore. I spent more time than I anticipated having a walk and finding nature’s ways to decorate our tree. Better Place continues to prove our final decision was a great one. What a blessed feeling.

Melanie Weber

7 months ago

Sarah was a perfect host she was knowledgeable and not pushy. I had a delightful time with her walking around the park. I will bring my dogs in the spring to avoid any burrs or ticks. The grounds are immaculate and the TLC for the forest is evident everywhere.

Silvana Brindisi

9 months ago

Ceremony I planned with help of wonderful staff including Ashley and Sara far exceeded my expectations. It brought Joy and was meaningful. Being in such Beauty added to this memorable experience. I look forward to visiting and sharing... comforted to have my special tree and place always...

Winslow St Pierre

a year ago

After my younger sister passed, our family was too overcome with sudden grief to attempt navigating the funeral industry. Having lost my father and grandfather in the past year, we found the experience with funeral homes draining, unsympathetic, and borderline predatory. We wanted my sister’s internment to reflect the generosity of spirit she carried through life and definitely found it in Better Place Forests. The sales process was a quick point-and-click experience that we were able to comprehend simply and in our own time without the need of a sales person, and when we did ultimately interact with the customer service side of things, Better Place Forests provided empathy and incredible patience. I never once felt rushed to make a decision, nor was there ever even a single attempt to upsell me on anything. It was the exact alternative we had hoped for. Every step of the process was centered on my sister and her memory.Knowing my sister is truly peacefully at rest provides me comfort beyond measure. Visiting the forest was an experience completely unique to visiting a cemetery; much less somber, more vivacious and active. I wish I could give it ten stars!

Marilyn Saner

a year ago

My backpacking son died too soon. His wish was to have a green burial in a place he loved backpacking and Better Place Forests is where he will spend eternity. The forest is beautiful and well cared for and I feel like I did exactly what he wanted me to do.

Susan Mendoza

9 months ago

It was a beautiful and a quiet place. It was perfect. The staff were very nice and accomodating. Ashley and the team were very understanding and patient through the whole process. All in all 5 stars rating. Truly a “better place”.Thank you so much.

Omar Salazar

7 months ago

The team at BPF are some of the kindest, most resourceful, and helpful folk. It was such a pleasure getting to work with them all to find the right tree for our family. I'm incredibly happy to say that I've had 10/10 quality services from Better Place. Would definitely recommend anyone interested to check them out!

Michelle Stiles

8 months ago

Discovering Better Place Forests at Yosemite Gateway was a sliver of light and peace when my husband, Bill, passed away last year. In our earlier end-of-life planning we had purchased a place in a crypt. However, when the time came I knew it wasn't the place for us.I struggled until I found information on Better Place Forests and from the first contact with them I knew a tree near Yosemite was the answer for us. Forests were a large part of our years together and it was clear a tree was the perfect location to place our ashes.Every conversation I have had with Better Place Forests has been so wonderful and I can't say enough about how kind and thoughtful Ashley and Sarah were--helping me find the perfect tree for us and guiding us through placing Bill's ashes. I am so thankful my family and I will have a beautiful tree and forest to visit and remember the happiness we experienced in nature during our life.

Lisa Zamora

a year ago

Totally enjoyed visiting my tree at Yosemite Gateway. I am so very happy that I took care of this much needed necessity of my and my family members end of life placement. I’m very happy knowing our eternal place of rest will be in a beautiful and peaceful place full of life.Dog-friendliness: Also my doggies and kitties will be with us at our time of rest. My dogs loved visiting our tree!

Will

2 years ago

A most excellent day. My wife and I had the opportunity to spend a day here with our daughters. The location has been well taken care of and is peaceful beyond reason. You can sit and enjoy the pine trees dancing in the wind, the birds chirping as they fly back and forth, and the scurry of squirrels here and there. This kind of a location is the kind of place I want my family to visit when they need to feel close to me after I've passed on. I cannot think of a better way to leave behind the world than contributing to the preservation of such a wonderful place.

Rose Slagerman

2 years ago

I'm so glad we discovered Better Place Forests - Yosemite Gateway. Yosemite NP has always been one of our favorite places, so when my husband passed I knew it was perfect for his final resting place. Katie and Sara have been wonderful in guiding us through this very difficult time. We had a lovely ceremony with precious family time, and have been back to visit when his marker was placed. It is beautiful, peaceful and serene and our whole family is so impressed with the kindness and compassion they have shown us.

kathy koehler

2 years ago

It was a beautiful day in the forest today. Looked for birds with the incredible forest caretakers Sarah and Katie. It was so peaceful and quiet. While we only saw a few birds we did see a Great Horned owl. We figured all the birds were quiet and hiding since the owl was flying around. Even the squirrels were frozen in the trees. The 17 wild turkeys were enjoying themselves though! After looking for birds I visited my husbands tree. Another beautiful at Yosemite Gateway Forest. Thank you Sarah and Katie.

Tom Kelley

a year ago

We loved the concept of Better Place Forests as soon as we heard about it. The setting, the experience, and the kind, considerate Better Place Forests staff all exceeded our expectations. Better Place seems like the future of how departed loved ones will be honored and remembered.

Victoria Corrales

6 months ago

Sara and Ashley were very welcoming. Ashley gave an excellent tour of the facility and was able to answer all if our questions.

Christopher Lozinski

11 months ago

At every step of the way we were extremely happy with the service provided by Better Place Forests. I think that it is also a great way to fight climate change. They invest in preserving and maintaining forests. I think I want to work for them.

Keith Slagerman

2 years ago

Everything about our experience at Better Place Forests was exceptional. The BPF team made a very difficult time in our lives just a little easier.You immediately get the sense that they genuinely care about their customers and the services they offer. That connection is probably one of the most memorable parts of our experience with BPF.The Yosemite Gateway forest location is beautiful, peaceful and expertly maintained and we are excited to see what BPF has in store for the future.

Sandra Hay

a year ago

I can't say enough about how wonderful our entire experience was. From the purchase of the tree to the planning and execution of the ceremony, everything was easy and we were treated with such kindness the entire time.Toilets: Best portapotties Ive ever seen. Clean, spacious and freshDog-friendliness: They had water for our dog and treated her with love. Nice place for a dog walk!

Anne Hite

a year ago

I am so glad that I purchased a tree here for my husband And I. Still waiting for them to build the memorial center . Thought it would be Built right now ,what are people doing in the meantime for services. I was told two summer's ago it was going to be built.. Hopefully soon..

Raul Ramirez

a year ago

Amazing experience, the staff was great and the services provided were high quality. We are proud to have chosen Better Place Forrest as the right way to remember our loved one.

Renee Sharp

a year ago

August 20 2023 when I left BPF Yosemite Gateway I couldn’t shake the feeling that I left something behind, searching my mind for what it could be I realized I was leaving my mother behind. The grief struck like a bolt of lightning through my heart and I had to pull the car over. It was that moment I realized why people go visit loved ones in their resting place. Always knowing they really are not there physically, but understanding then I need a place to be with her with out the noise of life.I told her I would return in Fall and did so the other day. After emailing to be sure the gates would be open, I was so pleased to see the staff had placed a bench in front of our family’s tree and I was greeted with warm smiles by the same lovely ladies whom helped us lay my mom to rest in August. After my visit I went for a nice walk through the Forrest trails. I even stopped to pick apples from the ole orchard trees.I can’t think of a more beautiful and welcoming atmosphere. This memorial Forrest is in the Yosemite National Forrest and beautiful soles are at rest throughout the peaceful 184 acres. I wasn’t sure what I was buying into so many years ago when this memorial concept was being created but I must say the service was so much more than I could have possibly expected.I whole heartedly recommend The Better Place Forrest to any family!!They have forrest’s now in Santa Cruze and in Mendocino too.Thanks for reading my experience. 😊🤟

Nemesis Nepomuceno

4 months ago

I can’t put in words how wonderful the staff and the place is. I enjoy the peace and serenity of coming here to visit my son’s memorial.

Dawna Lee

7 months ago

Exceptional.I cannot begin to express how lovely this experience was and how much care, respect, kindness & personal attention we received from Better Place Forests' staff, specifically Ashley and Laurie. Ashley walked us thru each step of the process and every detail was curated from the ceremony to sprinkling of wild flower seeds around my Dad's tree.Better Place Forest is also a nature conservancy which I appreciate--to ensure the majesty of Yosemite for future generations.Thank you Ashley and Laurie!

Linda Ortega

a year ago

The two guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. They made my experience a very happy and memorable occasion. I'm confident when the time comes my son and his family will be equally pleased.Thank you

Mark Hartung

8 months ago

I went to visit my tree yesterday at the Yosemite Gateway forest. Everything was perfect…the staff was friendly and welcoming, patiently answering all my questions. The forest was even more beautiful than the pictures show. Planning end of life details is important but unpleasant; however, the folks at Better Place make it so much easier. I know I made the right choice.

L T

7 months ago

They were very kind, respectful and absolutely spectacular for my husband's memorial. Cannot thank Ashley and Sarah enough. I am so grateful to them for a beautiful ceremony that went perfectly.

Allessandria Polizzi

a year ago

We chose Better Place Forest for interring our grandparents. At this difficult time for our family, having an option that celebrates their love for the planet and nature was a perfect way to honor their legacy. I can't say enough about the amazing support the team provided our family. Their respect and gentle approach helped us feel safe even when we were experiencing deep sorrow for our loss.If you want to see an example of a ceremony, here is ours: https://youtu.be/YzIQUyUrenM

Robert Abernathy

a year ago

When My wife and I purchased our memorial tree at Better Place Forest Yosemite Gateway we included our dogs. This past weekend we placed the ashes of four of our dogs. I cannot say enough about how impressed we are. The standard cemetery is usually in poor condition and all about death. As the ashes were mixed with soil it was explained how the ashes benefited the tree, actually giving nutrients to the tree. Instead of thinking about death we were reminded of the lives of our dogs and the life of the tree and forest. We feel we set our dogs free. In a hundred years it is unlikely anyone will remember our ashes are placed at our memorial tree or even who we were, but everyone can enjoy the beauty of our tree and forest.

Tim Linerud

3 months ago

Ashley and Sarah did an amazing job

Kimberly Carlson

a year ago

I was looking for a special place to inter my husband. We loved Yosemite and it seemed fitting to find a tree where he can lounge for eternity. The staff at Better Place Forests are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I recommend this as an alternate to crypt burial any day. It gives me another great reason to head up to Yosemite. Thanks for the beautiful service and care of the remains and his tree!