MEMORIAL FORESTS—A Comprehensive Assessment of a Novel Forest Use: An International Comparative Analysis

Forest burial represents a specialized and increasingly widespread form of forest use that offers an alternative to the sustainability, spatial, and social challenges of conventional burial practices. This study evaluates memorial forests from landscape architectural, ecological, and forestry perspectives, particularly regarding adaptation in Central and Eastern Europe. The novelty of this research lies in its landscape architecture and urban forestry approach and in an integrated 12-indicator evaluation framework applied to ten representative European case studies. Four operational models were identified: (1) high-naturalness forest burial based on existing forest stands; (2) landscaped forest cemeteries providing extensive burial services; (3) hybrid urban models integrated into conventional cemeteries; and (4) conservation burial, a high-naturalness, conservation-oriented model that supports ecological restoration in North America but is not yet present in Europe due to regulatory constraints. The comparison highlights a trade-off between naturalness and physical accessibility, indicating that infrastructure provision influences visitor access and operational feasibility. This finding is particularly relevant for adaptation in Central and Eastern Europe. Hybrid urban models can accommodate broader functional and accessibility requirements, whereas forest burial provides a nature-oriented commemorative alternative with minimal intervention. These findings suggest that integrating memorial functions can enhance multifunctional forest management and landscape planning.