Memorial Tree & Bench Program

The Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation Department has opportunities available to memorialize your loved ones in the City's park system.

Memorial Trees

Memorial trees are a great way to honor a loved one and also be friendly to the environment. Memorial trees must be purchased through the City and can be done so at any time throughout the year. However, the trees will only be planted in the spring and fall of each calendar year in conjunction with the City’s tree planting contract. As the purchaser of a memorial tree, you may choose from a variety of different tree species at the time of purchase. After installation, purchasers will be notified of the exact location of their specific memorial tree so that everyone wishing to remember their loved ones can visit it. Due to maintenance issues, a memorial plaque is not included with a memorial tree or permitted after installation. The total cost of a memorial tree is $315, which includes the purchase and installation of a tree, and a 1-year warranty.

Memorial Benches

Memorial benches are not available for purchase at this time.

Memorial benches are another way to memorialize a loved one and also enhance the aesthetics of the City’s park system. Memorial benches must be purchased through the City and can be done so at any time throughout the year. Weather permitting, the installation of the benches can only be completed from April-October and will be completed at the earliest possible date from the department’s receipt of the bench. After installation, the purchaser will be notified of the exact location of the bench so that everyone wishing to remember their loved ones can visit it. Although there is only one type of bench and a standard color to choose from, each memorial bench will include a 4” x 6” brushed stainless plaque that can be engraved with a short memorial message. The Parks and Recreation Director or designee must approve memorial messages. Please contact us by phone or email for current pricing, which includes the bench, three replacement plaques, delivery, plaque engraving and installation.

Additional Information

The City of Sterling Heights cannot accept memorial trees or benches purchased outside the framework listed above. The Parks and Recreation Department makes the final determination as to where memorial benches and trees are placed within the park system. The City of Sterling Heights, including the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments, is not responsible for damage to the memorial donation as a result of weather or vandalism. The City of Sterling Heights does not guarantee the lifespan of a tree donation past the one-year warranty period. The memorial benches have a five-year warranty on product defects only, deemed as such solely by the manufacturer. The City of Sterling Heights will remove damaged benches or diseased and non-living trees at their discretion.