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Memorial benches are a beautiful way to pay tribute to a lost loved one, or to simply commemorate a precious memory or event forever. A memorial bench can be placed in a public place like a park or woodland, or in your garden.
Why are memorial benches so significant?
They are important because as well as honouring a person, place or event, they also provide a restful place for people who pass by. You can buy a wide range of memorial benches. There are many options such as size, colours and textures. Many people like to add a unique commemorative plaque with a few words.
Making the decision to organise a memorial bench can be a difficult one as it often comes at a very sad time. The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most distressing events. Many find a memorial bench to be helpful in coming to terms with the loss. They are viewed as a celebration of life that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Make your tribute even more special with our ideas for a uniquely meaningful memorial bench.
Choose a high-quality wood
There are lots of different types of wood that can be used for a memorial bench. We recommend using a hardwood like teak. Hardwood is ideal for outdoor benches as it is very durable, easy to maintain and weather-resistant.
High-quality teak is known for its incredible durability and high oil content. As memorial benches are usually placed outside, it’s important to be sure that they won’t crack or decay. If looked after- they will last as a loving tribute for years to come. Teak is a warm golden-brown colour when new and gradually turns a silvery-grey over time. You can choose to treat your teak bench with sealant and regular applications of teak protector or allow the natural ageing of the wood. This ageing does not impact the durability of the bench.
Choose quality wood to honour your loved one and ensure your memorial bench stays strong and healthy, whatever the weather.
Include a Commemorative Engraving
A memorial bench alone is a beautiful way to pay tribute to a loved one or commemorate an important event. Many people like to include a commemorative engraving on a plaque to add a unique, personal touch.
Some people like to simply have the name of the person who has passed. Others prefer to add dates as a celebration of the years the loved one was alive. Some like to include a few lines of text or a quote from a poem as a dedication to the deceased. This is a lovely way of showing what they meant to those who are still alive.
A commemorative engraving can be made on a wide range of weather-resistant plaques and in any style you want.
Place the bench somewhere important
A memorial bench can be placed in a public place or in a garden or other private piece of land. It is more than just a seat: it’s a celebration of life and a unique tribute to a lost loved one.
Some people like to place the bench in a spot that their loved one liked. This can be a park they enjoyed visiting or a spot overlooking the sea. Others find that placing the bench at a popular beauty spot can help the mourning process. The idea that the bench will be acknowledged and enjoyed as a place of rest for countless other people can be a comfort. Discuss with family and friends where they think the bench should be placed.
Make sure you contact the park or organisation responsible for where you want to put your memorial bench – they will nearly always be happy to oblige. Alternatively, place your memorial bench in a garden or front yard to have a small reminder of your loved one every day.
Write a memorable dedication
Placing a memorial bench can be an important part of finding closure after a loved one has passed away. Some people like to hold a small ceremony when the bench is placed in the decided spot. Memorable dedications are usually made at the funeral, so it can be nice to have a short dedicatory speech when placing your bench, too. This can be a few words, or a more lengthy dedication – whatever suits you. Many find that having a small informal ceremony that is separate from the official funeral to be an important part of the grieving process.
There are no rules for writing a dedication to a lost loved one. But you may want to:-
- Include a brief history
- Share personal memories
- Share anecdotes
- Explore the interests, hobbies and favourite things of your loved one.
Making a spoken dedication to a loved one can bring up all kinds of feelings. It’s important to prepare for the emotion and accept that it is all part of the necessary healing.
Don’t do it alone
If you’ve lost a loved one and want to pay tribute, be sure to ask for help and advice where needed. This can be an incredibly difficult time and additional stress should be avoided, especially when making a dedication to your loved one. It’s important to make it as meaningful as possible, but not to the point where you feel overwhelmed by it. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. It is all down to the individual and it can take a combination of many things and plenty of time to be able to face the loss.
By acting as a celebration of life and a tasteful and long-lasting tribute that will provide a place of rest for future generations, many people find memorial benches to be a great help in dealing with the death of a loved one.
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
