Memorial Benches and Trees
I want a memorial bench – what should I do?
How much will it cost?
The bench will be in a public park - what happens if it gets damaged?
Cremated Remains
Flowers Memorials within the countryside. and other mementoes.
Memorials within the countryside.c
I want a memorial tree – what should I do?
11How much will it cost?
My tree will be in a public park - what happens if it gets damaged?
Future maintenance
Cremated Remains
Plaques, flowers, mementoes.
Memorials within the countryside.
Memorial Benches
People often like to take a moment to sit on a bench and enjoy our parks and greenspaces. Some people like to have a memorial bench to celebrate and commemorate friends, relatives and loved ones.
Tameside has lots of parks and open spaces – many residents and visitors will have a favourite place in or around the borough. This information covers requests for memorial benches in our urban parks – see the paragraph below on memorial requests in our countryside. There is separate guidance available on memorial trees which can be found here…
I want a memorial bench – what should I do?
If you are interested in getting a memorial bench installed in one of our greenspaces then please send an email to greenspace@tameside.gov.uk telling us where you would like the bench to be installed and provide your contact details.
Once we’ve received your email we will contact you to discuss your requirements and provide advice on the suitability of the location. After we've agreed on where to install the bench and suitable wording for a plaque we organise everything else. We will source the bench and plaque from a reputable supplier and arrange for its delivery to one of our Depots. The style of the bench will vary slightly depending on the chosen location. We will arrange for installation of the bench ourselves to ensure that it has been installed correctly and safely by contractors with the correct levels of skills and insurances.
How much will it cost?
The price of your bench will vary depending on the type of bench fitted; as an example it will cost £610 for a recycled plastic bench and plaque. This charge includes the cost of delivery and installation.
The bench will be in a public park - what happens if it gets damaged?
We’re always hopeful that the bench will remain undisturbed but this cannot be guaranteed. In the event that a bench is damaged beyond repair we will discuss replacement with you, but this remains at our discretion.
Cremated Remains
All our public greenspaces are primarily for recreation, leisure and enjoyment. Therefore we do not permit the scattering of cremated remains in any of our greenspaces and we cannot allow them to be scattered with the installation of benches. If you are looking to scatter ashes you should contact Bereavement Services on 0161 342 4461.
Flowers and other mementoes.
Whilst we can install benches in public open spaces these are spaces primarily for recreation, leisure and enjoyment. We not allow flowers or mementoes to be left around memorial benches. If flowers and mementoes are left at benches these will be removed and disposed of.
Memorials within the countryside.
We do not permit memorial benches or trees in our countryside sites such as Werneth Low Country Park and Park Bridge. However you can make a financial contribution towards a project at one of these sites. For example a recent donation went towards planting in Park Bridge; there are also opportunities to donate towards projects such as sowing wildflower seed in Werneth Low. At Werneth Low we have a Memorial Book which you can write in to remember your loved one.
Memorial Trees
People often plant trees in woods, gardens and parks as long-lasting and vibrant memorials to celebrate and commemorate friends, relatives and loved ones.
Tameside has lots of parks and open spaces – many residents and visitors will have a favourite place in or around the borough. This information covers requests to plant trees in our urban parks – see the paragraph below on memorial requests in our countryside.
I want a memorial tree – what should I do?
If you are interested in planting a memorial tree in one of our greenspaces then please send an email to greenspace@tameside.gov.uk telling us where you would like a tree planted and providing your contact details.
Once we’ve received your email we will contact you to discuss your requirements and provide advice on suitable trees for the particular site you’ve chosen. After we've agreed on where to plant your tree and what sort of tree to plant, we organise everything else. We will source your tree from a reputable nursery and arrange for its delivery to one of our Depots. We do this in order to be satisfied about the quality of the tree to be planted and ensure risk of introducing pests and diseases are minimised. We will then plant the tree – this will take place between November and March. We insist on planting the tree ourselves to ensure that it is planted safely, securely and has the best chance of growing into a strong and healthy tree. If you would like to be present when we plant the tree please let us know and we will try our best to arrange this – we plant on weekdays only.
How much will it cost?
The price of your tree will vary depending on the type and the size, but you could expect to pay between £200 and £250 for a standard sized tree. This charge includes the cost of the tree and delivery, planting materials such as stakes and a small charge for the labour involved in planting the tree.
My tree will be in a public park - what happens if it gets damaged?
We’re always hopeful that your planted tree will remain undisturbed to old age, but this cannot be guaranteed. In the event that a memorial tree is damaged we will discuss replacing the tree, but this remains at our discretion. Please note that Tameside MBC will not accept responsibility or liability in respect of any damage to or loss of a memorial tree unless this is shown to be due to negligence of the Council.
Future maintenance
Purchase of a memorial tree does not give the donor any right to determine its future management but we are accepting responsibility for the care of your tree and we will do everything we can to ensure the proper maintenance and special care of your tree for years to come.
Cremated Remains
All our public greenspaces are primarily for recreation, leisure and enjoyment. Therefore we do not permit the scattering of cremated remains in any of our greenspaces and we cannot allow them to be planted with Memorial Trees as a build up of them adversely affects soil composition. If you are looking to scatter cremated remains you should contact Bereavement Services at the Council on 0161 342 4461.
Plaques, flowers, mementoes.
Whilst we can plant memorial trees in public open space these are spaces primarily for recreation and therefore we do not permit plaques, flowers or mementoes to be left around memorial trees. You may notice that we did permit plaques in the past but due to increasing demand and understanding we will no longer permit them. If plaques, flowers and mementoes are left at trees these will be removed and disposed of.
Memorials within the countryside.
We do not permit memorial benches or trees in our countryside sites such as Werneth Low Country Park and Park Bridge. However you can make a financial contribution towards a project at one of these sites. For example a recent donation went towards planting in Park Bridge; there are also opportunities to donate towards projects such as sowing wildflower seed in Werneth Low. At Werneth Low we have a Memorial Book which you can write in to remember your loved one.