Insurance Commission Confirms: Libre Burol is NOT a Pre-Need Product
Forest Lake is pleased to share an important development that provides clarity and assurance to our clients. Following its motu proprio investigation, the Insurance Commission (IC) has ruled that the Libre Burol program of Forest Lake Memorial Services Corporation (FLMSC) is not a pre-need product, and that FLMSC is not engaged in pre-need business. This decision affirms how the program has always been designed—to support families at the time of need, without requiring advance payment or obligation. What This Means for Our Clients The ruling highlights several key points that are important for our clients to understand: A Clear Direction Moving Forward The Insurance Commission’s decision affirms that the Libre Burol program is structured properly and may continue to be offered to clients. More importantly, it reinforces our commitment to provide meaningful support to families—not as a prepaid obligation, but as a service extended when it matters most. At Forest Lake, our focus remains the same: to help Filipino families navigate life’s most difficult moments with dignity, care, and clarity. Please see the attached official statement from our President & CEO.
State of the Company Video 2025
Every year, we take a moment to reflect—not just on how far we’ve come, but on the purpose that continues to drive us forward. Our 2025 State of the Company Address is more than an update. It’s a story of growth, resilience, and the people who have shaped Forest Lake into what it is today. From meaningful milestones to bold steps toward the future, this year’s address captures the heart of our journey and the vision that guides everything we do. As we continue to expand and innovate, one thing remains constant: our commitment to serve families with dignity, compassion, and care. This is the foundation of everything we build—and the legacy we are proud to carry forward. We invite you to watch the full video and hear directly from our leaders as they share the milestones, insights, and aspirations that define Forest Lake today—and the future we are building together.
UNDASKO 2025: A Nationwide Celebration of Life and Remembrance
UNDASKO 2025 marked the second year of Forest Lake’s nationwide celebration—an initiative that continues to redefine how we honor Undas. More than a tradition, UNDASKO has become a movement. Across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, our parks transformed into spaces not just for remembrance, but for connection—where families could gather, reflect, and celebrate life together. What makes UNDASKO unique is how it brings together the living and the memory of those who came before us. During a season that is often solemn, we created an environment where families could celebrate—not just mourn. Lanterns lit the night, symbolizing hope and remembrance. Shared moments, stories, and laughter filled our parks, reminding us that love continues beyond loss. It was a time where visiting loved ones was no longer just an obligation, but an experience—one that families could look forward to, together. From quiet prayers to joyful reunions, UNDASKO 2025 showed us that remembrance can also be uplifting. That honoring our departed can coexist with celebrating the lives we continue to live. As this tradition grows, so does our commitment to creating meaningful experiences for every Filipino family—spaces where memories are not only preserved, but lived. Because at Forest Lake, it will always be A Better Place.
The New Green Goodbyes: Exploring Sustainable Memorial Practices in the Philippines
Around the world, families are rethinking how they say goodbye—looking for memorial options that honor their loved ones and protect the planet. The global shift toward sustainable memorial practices has introduced new ways to reduce carbon emissions, minimize toxic chemicals, and restore the earth after death. While Forest Lake Memorial Parks does not yet offer these sustainable practices, we are actively exploring them and are committed to being at the forefront of eco-friendly innovations in the memorial industry. In a recent Market Edge interview, our President and CEO urged policymakers to update regulations so the Philippines can begin adopting greener options:Gov’t urged to update rules to allow eco-friendly burials – ABS-CBN News Why Green Memorials Matter Traditional burials and cremations, though long-established, have notable environmental costs. Embalming fluids contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that can leach into soil; hardwood and metal caskets are resource-intensive; and cremation consumes high energy and releases carbon dioxide and mercury. Eco-friendly memorials aim to reverse this impact through methods that: These options provide families with meaningful ways to align personal values of sustainability and care with their final legacy. 1. Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis or Water Cremation) How it works:Aquamation uses a combination of water, heat, pressure, and alkaline salts (usually potassium hydroxide) to accelerate the body’s natural decomposition. The body is placed in a stainless-steel chamber filled with about 95% water and 5% alkali. Over four to six hours, gentle heat (around 160°C) breaks down organic matter, leaving only mineral bone ash and a sterile liquid composed mostly of amino acids, sugars, and salts. Environmental benefits: Cost and availability:Internationally, aquamation costs are similar to or slightly lower than flame cremation, depending on regulation and location. It is legal in several countries, including Canada, the U.S., South Africa, and parts of Europe. In Asia, it is gaining recognition but awaits policy approval in most regions. In the Philippines, aquamation is being discussed by industry leaders like Forest Lake as a viable, environmentally responsible alternative once regulatory frameworks are in place. 2. Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction) How it works:The body is placed in a reusable vessel filled with wood chips, straw, and alfalfa. Controlled heat, airflow, and moisture promote microbial activity—the same natural process that turns organic waste into compost. Within 30 to 45 days, the remains are transformed into nutrient-rich soil that can be safely returned to the earth. Environmental benefits: Cost and availability:In the U.S., services like Recompose and Return Home charge between USD 4,000–7,000, comparable to cremation. Fourteen states—including Washington, California, and New York—now allow it.In the Philippines, this technology has yet to be legalized, but its natural principles could inspire future eco-burial legislation and research.Learn more: Recompose 3. Green and Conservation Burial How it works:Green burials eliminate embalming and avoid concrete vaults or steel caskets. The deceased is buried in a biodegradable shroud or coffin made from bamboo, rattan, pine, or cloth. The grave is dug shallowly to allow natural decomposition and microbial interaction. Conservation burials take this further: cemeteries become protected natural reserves where burials fund land restoration and conservation projects. Families can plant trees or native vegetation in remembrance, transforming cemeteries into living forests. Environmental benefits: Availability:The U.K., U.S., and parts of Europe have well-established green cemeteries certified by the Green Burial Council (GBC). In the Philippines, similar models could thrive in rural or underutilized areas, where land conservation aligns with cultural respect for nature. 4. Mushroom and Mycelium Burial How it works:This emerging practice uses mycelium—the root network of fungi—to decompose the body while neutralizing toxins that accumulate in human tissue. The Infinity Burial Suit by Coeio is a full-body garment woven with fungal spores that activate upon contact with moisture and heat. The process completes within months, returning nutrients safely to the soil. Environmental benefits: Cost and availability:The Infinity Burial Suit costs around USD 1,500 and is approved for use in many U.S. green cemeteries. In Southeast Asia, access is limited, but biodegradable casket alternatives could offer similar environmental benefits. 5. Biodegradable Urns and Water Memorials How it works:These urns are made from organic materials like paper, salt, sand, or gelatin that naturally dissolve in soil or water. Families can bury them to grow a memorial tree, or release them at sea, where they disintegrate without polluting the marine environment. Environmental benefits: Cost and availability:Biodegradable urns range from PHP 1,500–5,000 depending on design and material. They can already be imported into the Philippines and used in coordination with local cremation services.Learn more: EPA Burial at Sea Guidelines 6. Memorial Reefs How it works:Cremated remains are mixed with marine-safe concrete to form artificial reef structures that are submerged in approved ocean zones. These structures attract coral and fish, helping rebuild damaged ecosystems. Families can visit the memorial site via diving or GPS-located markers. Environmental benefits: Considerations:Because it still involves cremation (a carbon-emitting process), this option is not entirely carbon-neutral, but it offers positive ecological offsets by enhancing biodiversity.Learn more: Eternal Reefs Sustainable Memorial Practices in the Philippines At present, Philippine laws focus primarily on traditional interment and cremation. However, industry leaders and environmental advocates are calling for updates to these rules to enable the introduction of aquamation, composting, and natural burials. As our CEO shared with Market Edge, “We want to create a future where memorial care respects both the memory of our loved ones and the environment they leave behind.” Forest Lake fully supports this movement and is preparing to pioneer such options once regulations allow. Forest Lake’s Commitment to a Greener Tomorrow As the country’s leading memorial park developer, Forest Lake Memorial Parks is committed to driving the evolution of memorial care. While traditional burials and cremations remain the standard, we are investing in research, dialogue, and partnerships to make sustainable practices possible in the near future. Through Total Memorial Care, we envision a Philippines where every park becomes a living space that celebrates life, legacy, and sustainability—making remembrance truly a better place for both people and the planet. Further Reading