How to Properly Clean a Tombstone
During the Victorian era, it was not uncommon to take a leisurely Sunday stroll through the local garden cemetery – perhaps stopping for a picnic. But for the most part (with a few exceptions, most notably in large cities ) people no longer spend much time in cemeteries. With everything else going on in life, it can be difficult to prioritize a trip to the cemetery where your family members are buried in order to cleanse and preserve your gravestone.
But if you’re interested in cleaning up the graves of people you know or volunteering for a local group, here’s what you need to know and how to get started.
Why clean tombstones?
Not sure why someone decided to spend their free time lightly brushing off the words engraved on the gravestones of dead strangers? According to the Grave Rescue Cemetery Conservation Alliance , here’s why:
If society does not manage to properly and adequately solve this problem through some decisive action, be it legislative or otherwise, not only genealogical and historical resources are likely to be irreparably damaged, but society will potentially lose a valuable resource in order to outline its inexorable course in the annals of human life. story.
If you want to learn more about the organization or find a local group looking for volunteers , Grave Rescue is a great resource.
How to properly clean a tombstone
Removing dirt and debris from the edges of a headstone is one thing, but thorough and proper cleaning is another thing that takes time and patience. It also includes a fairly detailed set of instructions that differ depending on what the headstone is made of.
You can find all the smallest details in posts from Cemetery Conservators for United Standards , Saving Graves , Aftermath, and a few other places. But for now, here are a few important things to keep in mind when cleaning tombstones:
- First, determine the material of the headstone. Most are made of marble, granite, sandstone and slate, and how you clean it depends on the material.
- Before removing the stain, first determine what caused it so you can find the best way to treat it and prevent it from recurring.
- If the tombstone you want to clear is in what is now a private property, always get permission before accessing it.
- Know and avoid methods and products, including bleach, any non-neutral pH cleaners, wire brushes, and handwashes.
And if in doubt, check with a local grave cleaning expert first, familiar with the materials used on gravestones in the area, as well as their biggest threats from weather, climate change and other factors.