Set Up Guide

Memorial Bench Program

Program Overview: Memorial Bench Programs give residents and families the opportunity to dedicate a bench in honor of loved ones. These benches serve as lasting tributes while also adding comfort and character to community gathering spaces. Whether placed along a town square, in a downtown park, or on a busy main street, each dedication strengthens the bond between people and the places they cherish.

Set Up Guide for a Memorial Bench Program

1. Define Your Program's Details

Cities and towns have a unique opportunity to help residents honor loved ones in meaningful ways. A well-designed program not only fulfills the desire to create lasting tributes but also enhances the beauty and functionality of public spaces.

Select Bench Locations: Identify spaces where benches will have the greatest impact—such as plazas, playgrounds, trails, or busy walkways.
Select Dedication Plaque: Decide on plaque materials, sizes, and inscription guidelines.
Choose Bench Types: Standardize style, materials, and finishes to ensure durability and a cohesive look across your community.
Outline Policies: Set expectations for installation timelines, maintenance schedules, and expected lifespan.
Set Pricing: Pricing should cover the bench, plaque, installation, and future maintenance.

💡Pro Tip

The plaque is the most personal part of a bench dedication—communities that emphasize this detail often see stronger participation.

2. Make the Process Easy for Participants

Purchasing a memorial bench should be an easy and emotional experience. Families are making a meaningful investment to honor a loved one, and your role is to ensure the process feels respectful, clear, and stress-free. By removing barriers and guiding donors step by step, you create confidence in the program while allowing families to focus on the lasting value of their tribute.

Online Webpage: Create a dedicated page where donors can review details, select their bench, and complete their dedication in one place.
Offer Online Payments: Allow donors to check out online with credit/debit cards, ACH Transfer, and automatically provide tax receipts.
Dedication Details: Collect the donor’s information, the name of the individual being honored, and the plaque inscription.
Map Out Locations: Provide a visual map of available benches across city spaces to make selection simple and transparent.

Manage Memorial Programs Effortlessly

When a program is built with clarity and organization, it reduces the everyday workload for your team while creating a simple, meaningful experience for donors. Memorial giving should feel effortless for administrators and deeply personal for participants.

3. Keep Your Program Running Smoothly

A well-managed program eliminates the headaches of manual tracking, miscommunication, and back-and-forth questions. With a clear system in place, administrators save time while participants enjoy a smooth and reliable experience. Organization behind the scenes makes memorial giving easier for everyone and keeps the focus on what matters most.

Keep Track of Memorial Items: Organize critical details including donor information, memorial bench locations, and plaque details.
Coordinate Installations: Work with crews or vendors to install benches accurately and on time and stay on top of maintenance schedules.
Celebrate and Share: Publicly recognize new dedications through photos, newsletters, or social media posts.