When someone buys a Metalbird as a memorial, the next question is usually:
"Where should I put it?"
It’s not just about location. It’s about meaning.
Because this isn’t just a bit of garden art... it’s a tribute to someone you love.
A marker of memory. A silent nod to the moments and people who matter most.
So how do you choose the right place?
Here’s a guide to help you decide.
Start With This Question:
Where did they love to be?
That’s the best place to start.
Was it the garden? The beach? The kitchen window? The bush track they always walked?
Think about the spaces where they felt most like themselves.
That’s usually where your bird belongs.
Garden Placements
The garden is the most popular spot for a memorial bird.
Here’s why:
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It changes with the seasons... just like grief does.
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It’s a place of quiet, daily ritual.
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It’s somewhere you can visit without it feeling heavy.
Under Their Favourite Tree
If they had a favourite tree, that’s a perfect spot.
Hammer the bird in so it catches the light in the mornings or silhouettes at sunset.
The tree becomes part of the tribute. Over time, the bird and the branches tell a shared story of memory and growth.
By the Kitchen Window
If the person you’re remembering loved to watch birds while they made a cup of tea or washed the dishes, put the Metalbird where they would have looked.
That way, every time you stand at the sink, you’re sharing the view.
In Their Garden Spot
Did they have a favourite chair in the garden? A place they always sat?
Place the bird nearby... not in the way, but in the corner of the eye.
So when you’re out there, it’s like they’re there too.
Balcony Tributes
Not everyone has a backyard. That’s okay.
A balcony or small outdoor space works just as well.
Attach the bird to:
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The railing
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A planter box
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The side wall where it catches morning light
It’s not about the size of the space... it’s about creating a small, daily moment of connection.
Beach and Bush Installations
If the person you’re honouring loved the outdoors, think about installing a bird in:
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A beachside spot
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A bush track clearing
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Their favourite camping site
We’ve had people do this with the family’s blessing... installing a Metalbird in a place where memories were made.
Just check local guidelines. Some public spaces are fine with it. Some prefer private property or dedicated memorial areas.
Memorial Gardens
Many families create small memorial corners in their gardens.
A bench, a bird silhouette, a few favourite plants.
It’s not about building a shrine. It’s about creating a space where memory feels natural, not forced.
A place to sit. To think. To let love and loss live side by side.
Cemeteries and Burial Sites
Some people place Metalbirds at:
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Gravesites
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Cremation gardens
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Ash scattering spots
Check with the cemetery or park first, but many allow natural, non-intrusive tributes.
A patinaed bird quietly perched by a headstone or tree is a gentle way to mark presence without heavy symbolism.
On the Family Farm
We’ve had customers install birds on:
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Fence posts
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Old sheds
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Paddock gates
Especially when the person being remembered spent their life on the land.
It becomes part of the place they loved, standing guard for years to come.
Travel Installations
Sometimes people take a Metalbird on the final leg of a journey.
We’ve heard stories of:
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Birds hammered into driftwood on a favourite beach
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A silhouette left on the family bach deck
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A bird installed on the last camping trip as a "goodbye, but not gone" gesture
It’s a beautiful way to say:
"This is your spot now."
Think About the Light
One of the best things about Metalbirds is how they catch light.
Place your bird where:
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The sun hits it in the morning or evening
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It casts a meaningful shadow
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It surprises you when you’re not looking for it
It’s about small, daily reminders... not grand gestures.
Let It Rust
Remember: our birds are made from Corten steel.
They’re designed to develop a protective patina that seals and protects the bird.
That surface rust saves the metal underneath.
It’s a finish that evolves with the seasons but never falls apart.
That’s part of the memorial, too.
Grief doesn’t stay sharp forever. It softens, shifts, and becomes part of you.
The bird will do the same.
Make It Yours
There’s no rulebook.
Some people:
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Hammer the bird in straight and symmetrical
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Others tilt it slightly, like it’s about to take off
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Some pair it with flowers
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Others leave it standing alone, quietly watching over the space
It’s your tribute. Your moment. Your memory.
Why This Matters
We don’t just make birds. We make memory markers.
Places to pause. To breathe. To remember that love doesn’t disappear... it just changes form.
Need More Ideas?
If you’re unsure where to place your bird, think about:
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Where you go to feel close to the person
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Where you feel at peace
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Where the bird will become part of your daily rhythm, not just a one-off event
That’s usually the right spot.
Want to Create a Tribute?
If you’re thinking about a memorial bird, we’re here to help.
Find your memorial bird here.
Place it somewhere that feels right. Let it rust. Let it remind you.
Suggested Image:
A Metalbird silhouette installed under a tree, casting a soft shadow on grass. In the background: a garden chair or a quiet moment of nature. The photo isn’t posed... it’s about stillness, not staging.