How to Memorialize a Death With Memorial Benches

Memorial bench on a walking path

Verywell / Chris Raymond

During the past two decades, the number of ways you can memorialize a deceased loved one has increased significantly. No longer limited to a headstone or grave marker within the confines of a cemetery, the ever-growing range of product and service options available today makes it relatively easy to select a fitting and meaningful tribute. This article explores how you can honor a loved one by establishing a memorial bench in a public place.

"Adopt-A-Bench" in Central Park

Did you know that Central Park in New York City contains more than 9,000 benches? Every day, countless numbers of the park's 38 million annual visitors pause to rest on these benches and perhaps reflect on the beauty of a particular tree or water fountain, or simply marvel at the presence of this 843-acre "emerald gem" in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

According to the Central Park Conservancy, the organization responsible for the park's maintenance and operation, more than 6,800 of these benches feature small, engraved plaques, signifying that someone has "adopted" the bench—often in memory of a loved one. Many of the benches bear the traditional "In memory of..." format along with details about the deceased.

If this method of honoring a loved one appeals to you, then you might be surprised to learn that memorial-bench programs similar to Central Park's "Adopt-A-Bench" opportunity are available all over the country and perhaps even in your community.

Locating a Program

There are several ways to locate an existing memorial-bench program near you. The easiest is simply to spot such a bench and then inquire about it. You might find these benches in a city or state park, near bus stops, on the grounds of hospitals or other healthcare facilities, outside of a local business, etc.

If you can't locate an existing bench in a public place, search the Internet for "memorial benches in (the name of your city). Simply searching for "memorial benches" generally shows too many manufacturers to prove useful.

If this fails, then contact a local funeral home or cemetery and ask for suggestions. Often, these businesses maintain a list of memorialization resources and opportunities to suggest to a family when appropriate. You could also contact a memorial-bench manufacturer for suggestions, but you might also receive a sales pitch for their products.

If you still cannot find a local memorial-bench program, don't despair! In this era of dwindling resources and budget tightening, most local governments, businesses and other organizations will generally prove receptive if you offer to donate a bench for use in a public space or to beautify the grounds. And who knows—your donation might just prove the catalyst necessary to formally establish a memorial-bench program, making it easier for others in the future.

The Cost

Prices for memorial benches vary widely. In New York City's Central Park, for example, it costs $10,000 to "adopt" an existing bench. In California, the Los Angeles Park Foundation also offers a memorial-bench program. To add an engraved plaque to an existing bench, it will cost $1,500, while $3,500 or $4,000 includes a new personalized bench and the choice of where to locate it in one of the Los Angeles parks.

By comparison, the city of Scottsdale in Arizona offers a bargain: for $1,900, the donor receives a new park bench bearing an engraved bronze plaque, site preparation with a concrete pad, installation, and maintenance for the life of the bench.

These are merely a few examples, but you should expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to "adopt" an existing bench, to many thousands to place a new personalized memorial bench. Regardless of what you ultimately decide to do and where it is located, establishing a memorial bench in a public place to honor your loved one is a meaningful tribute that you—and many, many other people—will enjoy for years to come.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. CentralPark.com. Central Park is third most visited tourist attraction in the world.

  2. Central Park Conservancy. Adopt-a-bench.

  3. Los Angeles Parks Foundation. Donate-a-bench.

  4. City of Scottsdale. Bench and tree memorials.

Chris Raymond

By Chris Raymond
Chris Raymond is an expert on funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, as well as the former editor of the world’s most widely read magazine for funeral directors.