Our Guidelines
Last updated on June 1, 2025.
At Hope Eternal Gardens, every aspect of our land and practice is rooted in reverence—for the earth, for those laid to rest, and for those who visit. To preserve the natural beauty, ecological balance, and sacred stillness of our grounds, we ask all visitors and clients to observe a few important guidelines.
This page will help you understand:
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How to schedule a visit
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What to expect when you arrive
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The values and rules that guide our natural burial practices
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How to honor this space with mindfulness and care
Visiting the Grounds
Visits are by appointment only.
To protect the privacy of families and the integrity of the land, all visits must be scheduled in advance. Please contact us to arrange your visit or guided tour.
Hours:
Visits are generally available during daylight hours, seven days a week, depending on weather and site activity.
What to Expect:
Hope Eternal Gardens is a living, evolving landscape of native plants, winding paths, and natural forest. Some graves are unmarked, and many blend seamlessly into the land.
We ask that you:
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Stay on marked paths and trails
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Walk gently and avoid stepping on grave sites or in planting areas
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We ask that all who visit or inter loved ones here follow a spirit of leave-no-trace respect. This land is shared, sacred, and alive. Every action contributes to the lasting peace of this place.
What Is a Memorial Miyawaki Forest?
You’ll notice dense, diverse mini-forests throughout the grounds. These are memorial Miyawaki forests—planted by families or our team using a method that mimics the structure of native woodland. They restore biodiversity, heal the soil, and offer habitat for local wildlife.
A Shared Forest, Lovingly Stewarded
The forests are under the care and ownership of Hope Eternal Gardens, which allows us to protect and tend to them in perpetuity. Our team lovingly stewards the land, and each forest is enriched by the contributions of families who choose to plant around their loved one’s plot. These trees become part of a larger, shared ecosystem—one that honors individual lives while growing into a lasting, living memorial for generations to come.
Ready to plant your forest?
Families are invited to choose a burial option with a Forest Planting Day as part of their memorial experience. Planting is a hands-on way to leave a lasting impact or honor your loved one while contributing to the greater forest at Hope Eternal Gardens.
To purchase a burial option with a Forest Planting Day or learn more about the process, contact us here. We’re honored to help you create a living legacy.
Hope Eternal Gardens is a natural burial ground. This means all burials must follow practices that align with our commitment to ecological stewardship and simplicity.
We require the following:
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No embalming or chemical preservation
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Biodegradable burial containers only (e.g., shrouds, wicker, untreated wood)
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No concrete vaults or liners
We do not permit:
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Traditional upright monuments or headstones
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Artificial flowers, balloons, or plastic decorations
Natural memorials may include:
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Native or Florida-friendly wildflower plantings (by prior approval)
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Memorial orchid plantings (by prior approval)
Full Rules & Regulations
Clients receive a complete copy of our Rules and Regulations after their purchase. We are happy to provide them in advance upon request.
Please contact us to learn more or to schedule a visit.
