Give a Tree: Why A Living Tribute’s Plant-a-Tree Cards Are a Lasting Alternative to Sympathy Cards and Flowers

When someone passes away, sending condolences is a timeless way to show you care. Traditionally, this has meant sending flowers or a sympathy card — heartfelt gestures, but ones that fade quickly and are eventually discarded.

With A Living Tribute, you can send something far more meaningful: a living memorial that grows stronger with time, helps restore forests across America, and leaves a positive environmental legacy in honor of a loved one.

A Gift That Lives On

Flowers wilt within days, and sympathy cards are often tucked away or recycled.
A card from A Living Tribute represents a living tree planted in someone’s honor. These trees grow for years to come, restoring forests and symbolizing hope and renewal.
Instead of sending something fleeting, you’re giving a gift that endures, improves the environment, and stands as a living legacy.

Since 2014, more than 800,000 trees have been planted through our memorial tree programs—each one helping to heal our nation's forests and woodlands while honoring a life.

Healing the Land Through Reforestation

Every sympathy card from A Living Tribute directly contributes to reforestation in areas that need it most. Trees are planted in forests recovering from wildfires, insect infestations, and other natural challenges.

Restoring wildfire scars: Seedlings are planted in places devastated by fire, where natural regeneration can’t keep up.
Rebuilding wildlife habitat: New trees provide food and shelter for countless species, from birds and mammals to pollinators.
Protecting clean air and water: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and filter water as it flows through watersheds.
Stabilizing soil: Roots help prevent erosion and protect delicate ecosystems.

Each 1,000 tree seedlings planted can restore 2–3 acres of forest. Even a single tree makes a difference—helping revive lands damaged by wildfire, pests, or disease, and transforming grief into growth, loss into renewal.

Tree Planting Impact 🌲

1 Tree – Provides clean air and wildlife habitat, playing a small but meaningful role in forest restoration.
5 Trees – Restores about 1/100 of an acre, multiplying habitat support and air purification.
10 Trees – Restores about 1/50 of an acre, helping stabilize soil and bring balance back to ecosystems.
25 Trees – Restores about 1/20 of an acre, significantly aiding recovery after wildfire, pests, or disease.
100 Trees – Restores about 1/5 of an acre, making a major contribution to reforesting damaged landscapes.

Premium, Sustainable Tribute Cards

Unlike standard sympathy cards, which are often mass-produced and quickly discarded, our plant-a-tree tribute cards are designed to be beautiful keepsakes:

Printed on FSC-certified, sustainable cardstocks that are both elegant and eco-friendly. With A Living Tribute, families receive a beautiful printed or framed card, or a digital e-certificate, detailing where their trees are planted.
Created with heartfelt imagery and space for a personalized message.
Available to be mailed directly to the recipient or funeral home.
Meant to be displayed and treasured, rather than set aside.

These cards are not just symbols of sympathy — they’re physical reminders of your tree's lasting impact.

Shipped Carbon-Free

Every order is delivered carbon-neutral thanks to our commitment to offset shipping emissions. Our participation in Planet funds the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through trusted, high-impact climate projects.

From design to delivery, each tribute card is part of a greener, more responsible way to express sympathy.

Verified Tree Plantings and Tracking

One of the unique advantages of sending a living tribute is the confidence that comes with it.

Each order plants real trees in designated reforestation projects. A Living Tribute partners with a network of more than 20 trusted reforestation companies and nonprofit organizations to ensure every tree is planted where it’s needed.
Many of our plantings now include post-planting survival tracking, offering peace of mind that the tribute is thriving long after it is planted.

This level of transparency ensures that your gesture isn’t symbolic—it’s real, measurable, and lasting.

Why Choose Trees Over Flowers or Cards?

When comparing traditional sympathy gifts to plant-a-tree cards, the difference is clear:

Traditional Cards & Flowers

Last only days or weeks
Often discarded after services
No lasting environmental benefit
Limited emotional impact beyond the moment

Our Cards

Create a living tribute that lasts generations
Help restore damaged forests and ecosystems
Provide clean air, water, and wildlife habitat
Shipped carbon-neutral on sustainable cardstocks
Backed by verified planting reports and ongoing tracking
A gift that recipients can treasure and display proudly

Sending flowers or a sympathy card shows you care today—sending a tree shows you care for a lifetime.

A Tribute for Every Occasion

Although many families choose A Living Tribute for sympathy, our gifts are also perfect for other meaningful moments:

Celebrations of life and anniversaries
Weddings and milestones
Pet memorials
Corporate gifts that reflect environmental responsibility

No matter the occasion, a tree planting is a universal symbol of life, hope, and renewal.

In Summary

A commemorative card from A Living Tribute is more than a gesture—they are a gift of life. Each tribute honors someone special while helping to rebuild forests and support wildlife.

Instead of sending flowers that fade or cards that get set aside, you can give a gift that grows stronger every year. With every tree planted, you’re creating a legacy of remembrance, healing, and hope for generations to come. 🌲

Choose the Tribute That’s Right for You

At A Living Tribute, we offer several meaningful ways to honor loved ones:

Sympathy Cards – Beautiful, printed memorial cards mailed directly to the recipient or funeral home.
E-Certificates – A quick and thoughtful digital option for same-day delivery, perfect when timing is important.
Framed Cards – Elegant framed keepsakes designed to be displayed and treasured for years.

Whichever option you choose, each one plants a tree in someone’s honor and delivers a message of hope that lasts far beyond the moment.

Give a Tree: Give a tree today, and send the gift of a living tribute 🌿

Give a Tree: Turning Sympathy Gifts Into Renewal With Plant-a-Tree Cards