Memorial trees & benches

February 20, 2025 update: The programs for memorial bench installation and memorial tree planting are on pause. The information below describes the options available and process during times that these services are open to new requests.

Members of the UW community can request a memorial bench installation or memorial tree planting in honor of or memory of someone. UW Facilities Grounds department coordinates the procurement and installation of memorial benches and trees on campus. Review the sections below for an overview and instructions on requesting a bench or tree.

wooden memorial bench outside with green grass and hedge in background

Memorial bench outside the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building

Memorial tree near Parrington Hall

Service options

Memorial benches

Overview

Bench style and location must conform with the ADA resting bench program and long-range campus bench plan. Bench donation amount is $7,500 and is maintained in perpetuity at no additional cost.
Memorial Bench Style:
Available memorial bench locations can be found on the Available memorials map (link opens in a new window). You can see photos of the bench locations by clicking on the bench icon and then clicking on the attachments. We will replace the existing bench with your brand-new memorial bench.
Ask for the location using the Memorial ID from the map. Once payment is submitted the location will be removed from the availability map.
If you request a location not listed on the map, you will be added to a waitlist. We will make every effort to accommodate your request. The estimated time for wait-listed benches is 6 months-1 year.

Ceremony and installation

The Grounds Department can assist in reserving the space where the memorial bench is located for a ceremony, if desired. You can perform your own ceremony, or you can work with an associated school or department for ceremony coordination.
Memorial plaques have a standard size and shape, and that size usually accommodates one-to-three lines of simple text. When choosing the text for a plaque, remember, less is more. We’ve found the best plaques look more like a poem and less like a sentence. Our team will work with you to create the best presentation. A second or third plaque can be added for $600 each if additional text is required.
Average bench installation time is 2 months after submitting payment and the plaque text.
UW Facilities will add the bench to our GIS map of campus benches, which includes the location and the person memorialized.

Requesting a memorial bench

Due to popular demand the Memorial tree & bench service is temporarily closed to new requests.

Cost

Memorial benches cost $7,500. This includes the procurement and installation of both the bench and plaque.

Eligibility

Faculty

Staff

Students

Campus visitors (without a NetID)

Memorial trees

Overview

Available memorial tree locations can be found on the Available memorials map (link opens in a new window). You can see photos of the area or trees by clicking on the tree icon and then clicking on the attachments.
Ask for the location using the Memorial ID from the map. Once payment is submitted the location will be removed from the availability map.
Trees are generally small (4-6 feet tall). Smaller trees require less water and establish faster than larger trees. Studies show smaller trees outgrow large tree planting within a few years.
If you request a location not listed on the map, you will be added to a waitlist. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Ceremony and planting

Most memorial trees are scheduled for October to allow the maximum amount of root growth before the dry season.
The Grounds Department can assist in reserving the space where the memorial tree is located for a ceremony, if desired. You can perform your own ceremony, or you can work with an associated school or department for ceremony coordination.
If you choose to have a ceremony, UW Gardeners will plant your tree prior to your ceremony date. The planting process is time-consuming and a bit messy so we like to tidy everything up beforehand. We will leave a small pile of mulch and tools for you to “finish” the planting as part of your ceremony if you wish.
While the University does not spread ashes on campus, we can set a biodegradable tube at the base of the tree where you can place ashes which will be covered with soil and mulch. The ashes become part of the landscape and integrate into the soil over time.
No memorial plaques are allowed to be installed with the tree plantings.
UW Facilities will maintain the tree as a part of the University’s plant collection. This includes adding the tree to our GIS map of campus memorials, which includes the location, the person memorialized as well as any photos you would like to submit.

Requesting a memorial tree