Memories

Tribute Trees - A new trend in celebrating loved ones

Losing someone we love is one of the hardest things in life. Grief can come in many forms, and everyone mourns in their own way. In recent years, more people are choosing to honor their loved ones through something living and lasting: tribute trees.

What Are Tribute Trees?

Tribute trees are trees planted in memory of someone who has passed away. These trees can be planted in a garden, a park, or through special tribute tree programs that help plant trees in forests or public spaces. Some families also add a small plaque or message next to the tree, making it a quiet place to visit and reflect.

Why Are Tribute Trees Becoming Popular?

Many people find comfort in nature during times of sadness. Trees symbolize life, growth, and strength. Planting a tree can feel like a hopeful act – something that continues to grow and give back to the earth, even after someone is gone.

Tribute trees also offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional memorials. Instead of flowers that fade or items that gather dust, a tree provides shade, beauty, and clean air. It becomes part of the environment, creating a living legacy.

How to Plant a Tribute Tree

There are many ways to plant a tribute tree:

  1. ·

    Personal Planting: You can plant a tree in your own yard or a special place that had meaning to your loved one.

  2. ·

    Memorial Parks: Some cemeteries or parks offer tribute tree programs where a tree is planted with a dedication.

  3. ·

    Online Tribute Tree Services: There are websites that allow you to dedicate a tree in a forest, often including a certificate and photo. These trees are planted in areas needing reforestation, so your tribute also helps the planet.

What to Consider

When planting a tribute tree, think about the type of tree and location. Choose a tree that grows well in your climate and is easy to care for. You may also want to pick a tree that had special meaning to your loved one – perhaps their favorite flower or fruit tree.

Some families choose to gather together for a small planting ceremony. Sharing stories or reading a poem during the planting can bring peace and closeness.

A Living Memory

Tribute trees are more than just plants. They are symbols of love, remembrance, and the lasting impact someone had on our lives. As the tree grows, it can be a gentle reminder that while someone may be gone, their memory lives on.

In a world that often moves fast, tribute trees invite us to slow down, breathe deeply, and find healing in nature. If you're looking for a meaningful way to honor a loved one, planting a tribute tree might be the gentle, lasting tribute you need.

Honor a loved one. Create an online memorial page today.

Remembered forever - invite friends and family to share cherished memories, photos, videos and heartfelt messages all in one place.

Related Articles

Read More Articles From Our Blog

How Kenyan Families Suffer When There’s No Succession Plan

Death is painful, but the lack of a succession plan makes it even harder. Families that should be leaning on each other for support often end up divided by disputes. By planning ahead, loved ones are spared the burden of conflict and allowed to focus on what truly matters, honoring the memory of the person they’ve lost.

How the Internet Changed the Way We Grieve

Grief used to be confined to homes, places of worship, and gravesides. You mourned with neighbors, relatives, and close friends who showed up in person. But today, grief often spills into digital spaces: WhatsApp groups, Facebook timelines, and even TikTok tributes.

What No One Tells You About Grieving While Abroad

Losing a loved one while living abroad is a layered pain. Beyond the grief itself, there’s the ache of distance — being unable to hug your mother, sit with cousins, or take part in the rituals that make loss feel shared. You’re left watching updates unfold through WhatsApp groups and phone calls, your mourning filtered through screens.

The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact on How We Mourn

When COVID-19 arrived, it didn’t just disrupt our work, schools, and daily routines — it also disrupted how we say goodbye to those we love. Families who would have normally gathered in the hundreds for funerals were suddenly limited to small groups, socially distanced, or forced to follow proceedings on livestream. Communities that once found healing in closeness had to adapt to grief from afar.

The 8 Most Common Funeral Vendors You’ll Likely Need (and What They Do)

When death strikes a family in Kenya, emotions run high and decisions pile up quickly. Suddenly, relatives find themselves dealing with dozens of calls, endless logistics, and mounting costs — all while trying to grieve. It’s overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been involved in planning a funeral before. One of the first surprises is just how many different service providers, or “vendors,” you’ll need to engage. From mortuary services to transport, catering to tents and chairs, funerals in Kenya have become complex events that require coordination. Knowing in advance who these vendors are and what they do can make a world of difference. This article breaks down the eight most common funeral vendors you’re likely to encounter, what they provide, and why they matter. The goal is simple: to help you feel less blindsided, more prepared, and better equipped to support your family during one of life’s hardest moments.

Faith, Culture & Traditions

Breaking the Silence: Why We Struggle to Plan for Death

In many Kenyan families, conversations about death are quickly brushed aside. “Don’t speak such things into existence,” a parent might say, or an elder may change the topic altogether. It feels safer to leave the unknown unspoken. Yet, when we avoid these conversations, we leave our families unprepared for the inevitable. The truth is, death is part of life. Pretending it won’t come doesn’t prevent it — it only increases the pain and confusion when it does. This article explores why we struggle to plan for death, how cultural and emotional barriers keep us silent, and why breaking that silence is one of the greatest acts of love we can offer our families.

Memories

Different Types of Grief and How They Show Up Online and Offline

Grief is rarely a straight line. In Kenya, as in many parts of the world, people experience loss in ways that are deeply personal but also shaped by our cultural, religious, and digital environments. Some losses are expected, others sudden. Some are widely acknowledged, while others are carried in silence. Yet today, grief doesn’t just live in our hearts, homes, or churches. It also shows up in our WhatsApp groups, on Instagram timelines, and in the quiet searches we make on Google late at night. Understanding the different types of grief — and how they manifest online and offline — helps us name our pain and find healthier ways to carry it. This article explores three often misunderstood forms of grief: anticipatory, complicated, and disenfranchised grief.

Memories

Is It Too Soon? When to Create a Memorial Page After Loss

Losing someone you love can feel like the ground has shifted under your feet.  In the shock and swirl of phone calls, decisions, and emotions, it’s natural to wonder: “Is it too soon to create a memorial page?”  You don’t have to get everything right on day one. A memorial page isn’t about perfection — it’s about beginning a gentle, shared space where love, stories, and practical updates can live.

Memories

Choosing Between Burial and Cremation in Kenya: What to Consider

Losing a loved one comes with many difficult decisions. One of the most significant is choosing how to lay them to rest. In Kenya, families often weigh between burial and cremation — a choice influenced by culture, religion, personal preference, and practical considerations. While both are legally recognized, they carry different expectations and experiences. Understanding these differences can help families make an informed and respectful choice.

Fundraising

Funerals: How to Ask for Support Without Guilt or Pressure

In Kenya, when loss strikes, family and friends rally together. It’s one of the most comforting parts of our culture: no one mourns alone. Yet behind the warmth of support lies an uncomfortable reality — asking for help can feel like a burden. Many worry about being “too demanding,” about overburdening friends, or about appearing ungrateful. But the truth is this: asking for support during a funeral doesn’t have to create guilt or pressure. With the right approach, you can invite others to stand with you in love, not obligation. Here’s how to do it in a way that feels natural, respectful, and easier for everyone involved.

Memories

Who Should Lead Funeral Arrangements: Children vs. Uncles and Aunties?

When a loved one passes, grief is often accompanied by complex decisions — one of the most sensitive being: who should take the lead in planning the funeral? In many families, this becomes a point of confusion or even quiet tension, especially when the immediate children and extended family members (like uncles and aunties) have different views.