Spiritual Forests and Funeral Forests in Aargau

This case study examines how managing forests as spiritual forests—specifically funeral forests—can benefit both forest owners and ecosystems in Switzerland’s Aargau canton. Covering 49,000 hectares, the region’s beech- and spruce-dominated forests host over 100 designated funeral forest sites, each 0.5–5.0 hectares. The initiative supports cultural ecosystem services across physical, cognitive, and emotional-spiritual dimensions. Forest owners receive payments for selling burial sites, with long-term conservation commitments formalized in contracts. The model, driven by forest owners and supported by local authorities, promotes tranquility, spiritual reflection, and sustainable forest use. The project highlights market-based approaches to valuing non-timber forest benefits, with growing demand due to rising cremation rates and public preference for natural burial sites.