Norfolk County > Living > Birth, Marriage and Death > Memorial Bench Program

Memorial Bench Program

Park Bench

 

The Memorial Bench Program allows the public to pay tribute to a loved one by donating and dedicating a park bench or plaque on County property

Locations where memorial options may be installed include:

  • Parks
  • Open spaces
  • Port Dover Pier, along Harbour Street to Main Street
  • Trails
  • Cemeteries

While many applicants may wish to install memorial benches in highly visible locations or locations of significant importance, it should be noted that Norfolk County may be required to consider limitations or a moratorium on memorial bench installations in a particular place or alter the product available.

Request a Memorial Bench or Plaque

Payment must be made in full when submitting form. Please see how to pay, below.

Options

The following memorial options will be permitted to be installed on property owned by Norfolk County as well Port Dover Pier as well as along Harbour Street to Main Street:

  • Memorial Benches
  • Memorial Bench Plaques for current benches
    •  10.5” x 3”, 4 lines, 28 characters

Fees

Prices include the purchase, plaque, placement, and administration costs associated with the memorial bench on a per-bench basis. The style of the bench is determined by Norfolk County from the supplier and is subject to change depending on availability.

2025 Fees:

  • 6 Foot Sterling Bench with Plaque – $4,400 plus HST
  • Plaque Only – $ 750 plus HST

How to pay

Payments can be made through ServiceNorfolk – either in person or over the phone at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK Ext. 0. Completed forms must also be submitted at time of purchase.

Visit the ServiceNorfolk page for a list of in-person locations and services.

Installation occurs by the Operations Division, Parks Department staff in spring and fall.

Questions

Contact ServiceNorfolk at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK Ext 0, or askus@norfolkcounty.ca

Installation

The installation will occur in Spring and Fall in accordance with the following

  • Those wishing to purchase a memorial bench shall be required to complete the application in the form and to submit it for approval.
  • Payment in full is due with the submission of the form.
  • Once the application has been submitted, staff will confirm with the applicant whether their application has been approved and update them on the approximate installation date.
  • The dedication plaque will be in the form set out in the application. No other types of plaques will be permitted.
  • An application will not be deemed approved until the location and the wording of the memorial have been approved and payment has been processed in full.
  • Once an application is approved and payment has been processed no further changes to the wording of the memorial will be permitted.
  • Applications that are received and approved prior to April 1st in any calendar year will be installed no later than June 30th. (Note: last day of installation may be delayed due to inclement weather).
  • Applications that are received and approved prior to August 1st in any calendar year will be installed no later than October 31st (note: last day of installation may be delayed due to inclement weather).
  • Any application received and approved after the dates set out in sections 7 and 8 will be automatically moved to the next installation period.
  • This policy will be reviewed and updated as required.

Fine Print

  • Once a memorial bench is installed, it shall become the property of the County.
  • The County reserves the right to relocate a memorial bench. In the event that relocation is deemed necessary, the County will use its best efforts to contact the donor for consultation prior to the move.
  • Memorial benches will not be permitted for any pets or animals.
  • Norfolk County reserves the right to refuse an application.

Memorial Bench Policy

The full policy (POLICY #: OPS-01) can be viewed here.