What is Life for a Life?
Who Are We?
Life for a Life's mission is to plant trees and install memorial benches to honour loved ones. These memorials grow into beautiful forests that benefit the environment and offer solace to families, regardless of age, status, or beliefs.
By planting a memorial tree the negative feelings of pain and loss can be replaced by more uplifting feelings arising from the establishment of a new life in the form of a tree, hence the phrase "Life for a Life". This act not only honours a loved one but also makes a positive impact on the environment and the community, benefiting everyone.
Where Does The Money Go?
Life for a Life is a not for profit, non-denominational registered charity (1096422). Donations support hospices, hospitals, and healthcare organisations across the UK. Since 1999, the Charity has donated over £1.6 million to various causes and communities.
Charitable Aims & Objectives
To relieve mental & spiritual distress of bereavementDedicating trees to loved ones offers comfort to those grieving. Spending time in the growing woodland and being surrounded by nature can significantly improve the mental well-being of a bereaved person.
To conserve, protect and improve the natural environmentCreating a memorial forest by planting a diverse mixture of tree species positively impacts climate and biodiversity challenges. This approach promotes maximum growth and supports a variety of wildlife and plant life. Additionally, it enhances the well-being of our communities by providing green spaces for everyone to enjoy..
To provide grants/equipment to relieve sickness and suffering Making donations from the surplus income we generate to charities, health organisations, and local community groups, ensuring this support targets those most in need while not relieving any local authority, relevant health service trust, or other body of their statutory obligations.Environmental Benefits
Since its inception, Life for a Life has made environmental protection and enhancement a cornerstone of its mission. Planting trees sequesters carbon, helping to protect the planet and its people. Our memorial forests are actively managed, ensuring they serve the needs of nature and communities.
As an Entrust-registered environmental body and a member of The Tree Council, we focus on biodiversity through various land management practices. These include managing wildflower meadows, coppicing, felling, and thinning woodlands to ensure they thrive, leaving a legacy for people and the planet, which together create a rich matrix of habitats to combat climate and biodiversity crises.
Friends of the Forest
‘Friends of the Forest’ offers schools, community groups, and local volunteers the chance to help create new habitats within our memorial forests. Participants learn about the environmental benefits of woodland creation and engage in activities like hedge planting, orchard establishment, and wildflower seed sowing. We encourage everyone to get involved, whether or not they’ve purchased a memorial tree. Our goal is to create accessible public spaces that benefit the entire community.
Over the years, ‘Friends of the Forest’ has extended beyond our memorial forests, supporting local community groups with their green spaces through donations and in-kind support.
Be sure to check out our social media pages for updates.
Our Partners
We deeply value the partnerships we have established over the years with various organizations. The growth and success of our charity are largely due to these collaborations, as our work would not have been possible without their support.
