More than 150 people came together in Heist-op-den-berg on Sunday to plant more than 2,000 trees and create a memorial forest – a concept that has been gaining in popularity in recent years.
People are increasingly looking for a sustainable, meaningful way to keep the memory of a deceased partner, friend or family member alive. The recent and unexpected death of Tinne Geuens brought together relatives and friends as part of nature organisation BOS+'s 'Forests for Life' initiative.
"My best friend Tinne died unexpectedly, at a very young age. She loved to be in nature and was very committed to the environment, animals, plants, everything about it," Els Swinnen, who requested the creation of the forest, told Belga News Agency.
"It strengthens the whole family and circle of friends to have a place where she can continue to grow forever." In this way, her family and friends hope to keep her memory alive. The forest is called Tinnebos (Tinne forest).
A total of €8,351 was donated to the cause via the BOS+ website, which helped family and friends purchase the trees. "This way she will live on forever, not only in our hearts but one with nature," the donations page on the website read.
BOS+ itself looks for land where applicants for a 'Forest for Life' can plant their trees, and ensures that is not too far from where they live so that they don't have to travel far to visit the forest. It is usually former agricultural land.
"For a birthday, birth or wedding, it is usually easier to find a thoughtful gift, but it is much harder to give something meaningful to the next of kin of someone who has died," Tillia Eesterman of BOS+ said.
"Planting a forest has a blissful, comforting power. It gives the bereaved a chance to process their grief by planting the forest together and it also gives them a lasting, quiet place to remember their loved one."
