Memorial Request

Memorial Benches, Trees, Shrubs, and Other Public Memorials

The Town of Barrington and the Recreation Department recognize the need for individuals in the community to memorialize an individual who has made a difference in the lives of family members or their community. Public memorials are divided into two categories. Living memorials are ones that have a living aspect to them such as trees, flowers, and shrubs. The other is a lasting memorial such as a bench or fountain. The Town of Barrington encourages the installment of living memorials. Individuals that have a desire to establish a memorial should follow the guidelines below, which provide the process for establishing such memorials.

Memorial Bench Request Form

Download the Memorial Bench Request Form

Guidelines for Public Memorials in Barrington, RI

Barrington Parks & Recreation Commission
October 2017

All Memorials

  1. All applicants for a memorial must begin the process by submitting a proposal to the Recreation Director for review by the Recreation Department and the Department of Public Works. A scaled drawing will be required for anything more elaborate than a bench or a tree.
  2. Once approved, the plan proposal will be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission with a member of the Public Works Department present to advise for consistency and feasibility with the site, and to determine if the proposed memorial requires an annuity for long term maintenance.
  3. The memorial concept will then be sent to the Town Council with the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
  4. All costs associated with the memorial will be borne by the donor.
  5. The nominee can be either alive or deceased. A criminal background check (the cost to be borne by the donor) will be performed.
  6. All memorials should have served with distinction as a prominent citizen and be recognized for his or her contribution to the town, county, state, or country.
  7. All nominees must have lived in the Town of Barrington for at least 10 years.
  8. The Town reserves the right to move or remove a memorial, if necessary.

Living Memorial Criteria

Living memorials do have some challenges in that the living memorial can be affected by various conditions such as weather, disease, and nature’s elements. It should be recognized that the Town would make all efforts to provide for the longevity of such a memorial within its ability to provide services that are available within the Town’s Public Works Department.

  1. All costs associated with a living memorial will be borne by the donor and will be based on prevailing prices for such living items such as trees, shrubs, and gardens.
  2. If living memorials are to be marked, the plaque shall be no larger than 8" x 5" and be affixed to granite or granite like stone that shall be buried at least 10" into the ground, and its placement reviewed by the Town DPW prior to installation.

Lasting Memorial Criteria

  1. Benches shall be of the two types approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission, unless a case can be made by the donor for an exception.
  2. Applicant must establish an annuity when the memorial is a design piece such as a fountain that requires long term maintenance.

How to Submit

To begin the process, submit your proposal to the Recreation Director. If your request is more elaborate than a bench or a tree, include a scaled drawing. After departmental review, proposals advance to the Parks and Recreation Commission and then to the Town Council as outlined above.