Memorial tributes

Memorial plaques

We provide memorials to commemorate the memory of a loved one in parks, open spaces, the public highway and cemeteries throughout the district.  You can purchase memorial plaques to place on a memorial wall in the district located at:

• Woodcock Hill Cemetery, Rickmansworth
• East Lane Cemetery, Leavesden

The current cost for a memorial plaque is £344.00. Plaques are made from stainless steel and measure 165mm x 60mm in size. The plaque can accommodate a message of up to 75 characters.

Memorial plaques remain on the wall for 10 years. After this point, you can choose to renew the sponsorship for another 10 years , depending on the available space.

Complete an enquiry form

Memorial trees

We provide memorials to commemorate the memory of a loved one in parks, open spaces, the public highway and cemeteries throughout the district.  You can purchase a memorial tree to be planted in one of our parks, woodlands or open spaces. The current cost is £2,057.00 and includes a stainless steel memorial plaque measuring 150mm x 100mm. The plaque can accommodate a message of up to 75 characters.

Trees are at least two to three years old and measure between 8cm and 14cm wide and 1.5m to 3m high. Protective stakes and ties will be used to secure the tree.

New trees are planted from November to March. Applications for trees to be planted in the current planting window must be received by 28 February on any given year.

If a memorial tree dies due to natural causes or disease within three years of being planted, we will replace it. If a second tree dies, replacing it will be the owner’s responsibility.

The following planting locations are available:

• Leavesden Country Park (excluding East Lane Cemetery)
• Scotsbridge Playing Fields, Rickmansworth
• Chorleywood House Grounds
• South Oxhey Playing Fields
• The Horses’ Field, South Way, Leavesden
• Barton Way and Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green
• The Swillet, Chorleywood
• Dickinson square, Croxley Green
• Maple Cross Recreation Grounds
• Fortune Common, Rickmansworth
• Riverside Drive East and West sides
• Eastbury Recreation Ground

You can choose from between 18 species of tree, depending on the location you choose and availability in the tree nursery.

Complete an enquiry form

Memorial benches

We provide memorials to commemorate the memory of a loved one in parks, open spaces, the public highway and cemeteries throughout the district.  We provide five different types of memorial bench in parks, open spaces and on the public highway.

Complete an enquiry form

Sponsor a bench

You may sponsor a bench rather than paying the full cost of a new bench for a cost of £344.00. This includes a stainless steel plaque measuring 165mm x 60mm in size. Existing benches can have up to three plaques placed on them, so this option is not for an exclusive memorial.

If a sponsored bench is damaged or deemed unsafe for public use, we will remove it. If this happens, we will contact the family members to let them know the bench has been removed and ask whether they wish to have the engraved plaque sent to them or collect the bench to keep at home.

If a bench is removed within a year of being installed, you can place your memorial plaque on a different bench.

View the terms and conditions for memorial trees, benches and plaques

View the terms and conditions for memorial sponsorship here (PDF).

Scattering ashes in our woodlands, parks and open spaces

We understand why people wish to scatter ashes in our beautiful woodlands, parks and open spaces. These are wonderful natural places for wildlife and people.

We hope you understand and appreciate how important it is to protect these precious sites.

Our priority is to protect and enhance these habitats - many of which are delicate ecosystems, home to rare and vulnerable species.

Scattering in the right place

Ashes can change the soil chemistry and damage its fragile balance, which is why we respectfully ask that ashes are not scattered in ancient woodland or near ancient trees which are particularly sensitive and already under threat. We do have many lovely woodland sites which are not ancient and therefore less sensitive, and we are happy for ashes to be scattered carefully in these.

Please contact us before you do and let us help you find the right location for you.
Email: leisure@threerivers.gov.uk

You cannot scatter ashes in the following locations:

• Croxley Common Moor
• Sites whilst grazing is taking place
• Bishops Wood
• Oxhey Woods

How to respectfully scatter ashes

We have produced the following guidelines to help ensure that your chosen location continues to thrive naturally and be a beautiful resting place.

We ask that you please:

• Scatter thinly over a wide area away from main pathways
• Do not mark the ground in any way, e.g. with flowers, crosses or large stones
• Do not plant any bulbs, flowers or trees
• Choose a quiet moment when fewer people are likely to be around
• Do not scatter ashes in any water courses including rivers, lakes or ponds. Read guidance from the Canal and River Trust.