Guide
How much does it cost to dedicate a bench in South Wales?
Through a council scheme, a plaque on an existing bench in South Wales typically costs £140–£330, and a bench of your own £770–£1,420 or more, usually for a 10-year period. Here’s what each council charges, what’s included and how it compares with a bench and plaque of your own.
Council bench and plaque prices in South Wales
Prices as published by each council in 2026, including VAT where stated. Councils change their fees, usually each April, so always check the council’s own page before applying.
| Council | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff Bereavement Services (cemeteries and crematoria) | Plaque on a shared bench, 10-year lease | £330 |
| Cardiff Bereavement Services | Personal seat with one plaque, 10-year lease | £1,000 |
| Cardiff Bereavement Services | Lease renewal after 10 years | £90 a year |
| Vale of Glamorgan Council | Plaque on a shared bench | £310 |
| Vale of Glamorgan Council | Plaque on an exclusive bench | £770 |
| Vale of Glamorgan Council | New bench on an existing plinth, parks and open spaces | from £1,420 |
| Torfaen Council | Brass 6 x 3" plaque on a council park bench, up to 100 characters | £245 |
| Swansea Council (crematorium) | Additional plaque on an existing memorial bench | £140 |
Cardiff Bereavement Services covers Cardiff’s cemeteries and crematoria. Benches in Cardiff’s parks, such as Roath Park or Bute Park, are handled by the parks team, so ask them directly.
What a council scheme usually includes
A fixed term, not forever
Most schemes are a lease, often 10 years. At the end you can usually renew, or the plaque is removed and returned to you.
The council’s own plaque
Many councils supply and fit the plaque themselves, with limits on size and wording. Torfaen, for example, allows up to 100 characters.
No plaques of your own
Plaques added without permission are usually removed. Always go through the scheme for a public bench.
Not sure whose bench it is? Use our “Can I put a plaque on a bench?” check.
Your own bench: a lower-cost alternative
If you have a garden, or a club, church or school that agrees, a bench and plaque of your own is often far cheaper than a public scheme and has no lease to renew. Garden benches start from a couple of hundred pounds, and an engraved plaque from us is a small part of that cost.
- Solid brass or stainless steel, from 8 x 3 inches to A4
- Your own wording in English, Welsh or both, with no character limit beyond what fits
- Free proof before engraving, stainless steel screws included, UK delivery
Design your plaque and get a price → Wording ideas → Brass or stainless steel? →
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to dedicate a bench in Cardiff?
Cardiff Bereavement Services charges £330 for a plaque on a shared bench and £1,000 for a personal seat with a plaque, each for a 10-year lease, in its cemeteries and crematoria. For benches in Cardiff parks, contact the council's parks team.
Is a council bench dedication permanent?
Usually not. Most schemes are a lease, often 10 years. At the end you can usually renew for a fee, or the plaque is removed and returned to you.
Can I put my own plaque on a council bench?
Usually not. Most councils supply and fit their own plaques, and plaques added without permission are removed. Check the council's scheme first.
What is the cheapest way to dedicate a bench?
A bench in your own garden, or at a club, church or school that agrees, with a plaque you order yourself. There is no lease to renew, and the plaque costs far less than a council scheme.
Dedicating your own bench?
Design the plaque online and we’ll reply with a price and a free proof.
