Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
A tombstone's size varies on the proportions of the burial columbarium, crypt or vault. The stone itself should be symmetrical to comply with burial sanctity. Keep in mind that many cemeteries have rules and regulations that may apply to your desired size and shape of stone. Make sure to get all the information the cemetery requires along with any fees added on due to your choice in stone.
Acid rain is gradually decaying tombstones in cemeteries all over the world. Smog rises into the atmosphere and combines with cloud condensation and forms destructive acid rain. Acid rain can discolor metal and corrode cement, marble, limestone, wood and a variety of other substances used for making tombstones. Tombstones in populated areas where smog is more intense will suffer the effects of acid rain more quickly.
Acid rain, caused when particulates in atmospheric pollution mix with water, is a byproduct of the industrial age. Exhaust from automobiles and industrial plants creates not only black carbonaceous deposits, but contains sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which, in contact with water, can severely damage tombstones, obscuring the lettering or images or completely eating away the stone over time. Stones made of marble and limestone are the most susceptible to acid rain damage. There are ways to clean gravestones and help prevent further damage from acid rain, though its effects cannot be reversed.
Headstones mark the burial of those that have passed and provide markers for the friends and family of the deceased. Constant exposure to the weather, not to mention pollution can result in damage or dirt. In some cases cleaning headstones means taking them out of the ground, restoring them and placing them back in their original spot. Cemetery headstones are typically serviced by a general contracting crew under the direction of the cemetery sexton or manager.
While beautiful, over time, headstones or grave markers can get dirty due to the elements (snow, rain, dust, wind), bird droppings or even vandalism. Atmospheric pollution in the form of exhaust from automobile and industrial plants, acid rain, or airborne particles can settle on the surface of a gravestone and begin to deteriorate it. Cleaning a headstone can significantly improve the appearance of the grave and help preserve the stone.
Europe had a dirty reputation in the 15th century. Few people bathed or bothered to clean their homes. The Dutch, however, made cleanliness a national obsession. Although personal hygiene habits emerged in Italy around the same time, the Italian practices were prevalent only among the urban aristocracy. Dutch cleaning traditions seemed to begin among the peasant class and spread throughout the country.
Headstones are constantly exposed to the elements and can develop hard water deposits from rainwater. Hard water has high concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium which, over time, can create a hazy film on the stone's surface. With the use of gentle cleansers, these deposits can be cleaned, improving the stone's appearance.
Cleaning an antique headstone may sound like a straightforward process, but improper cleaning methods and products can cause more harm than good. Vigorous scrubbing on the face of the headstone wears away a thin layer of the stone and can cause the inscription to fade or disappear completely, according to the Gravestone Preservation website. Focus on maintaining the current condition of the antique headstone with gentle cleaning, instead of attempting to correct damage caused naturally by decades or even centuries of exposure to sun and inclement weather.
A cemetery is much more than a storage space for the dead. It is meant to be a safe eternal resting place for those who have passed on and a place where loved ones can come to pay their respects. A large part of how society shows respect for the dead is the maintenance of cemeteries, especially the upkeep of individual markers and headstones. Repairing broken markers may involve some serious labor, but the end result reflects an appropriate show of regard.
Bronze has been the metal of choice for many historical plaques and monuments that can be seen off of highways and national parks. Grave markers, or headstones, also are sometimes made of bronze. Unfortunately, the environment is very harsh on this metal, particularly in wet places. Bronze quickly begins to corrode and darken when not regularly maintained. For both tourists and loved ones, commemorative bronze pieces, when clean, are a dazzling memorial.
Headstones are one way to remember your loved ones that have passed on and because of this, you want their final resting place to look as good as possible. Cleaning a headstone can be done with relative ease as long as care is taken not to damage the stone.
Sculptors use marble because of its beautiful, mottled pattern and wide variety of colors. For these same reasons, many people choose marble for headstones, either for themselves or for a loved one. White is the most popular headstone color because it catches and reflects the sun beautifully. However, marble weathers more quickly and drastically than other headstone materials, like granite and concrete. Marble always should be cleaned before carving begins and probably will need cleaning again within a few years of enduring the elements.
Few things can be as important in life as keeping alive the memories and experiences you have had with loved ones, even after they have passed on. Headstones serve as memorials to our deceased loved ones, keeping their spirits and memories alive for us now and for generations in the future. Therefore, it is important to carefully maintain these memorials. Because they are exposed to the elements, granite headstones can develop rust stains from any metal with which they come in contact. Though rust can be one of the most difficult stains to remove from granite, some products will help…
Preserving our heritage through tombstone preservation is a growing concern for many. A walk through a cemetery will soon reveal that very few tombstones last more than a 150 years before the words become so worn that they are illegible. And the stone itself will eventually decay and crumble. If you want to preserve the memory of your loved ones, in part, through tombstone preservation, use only the safest and most careful practices when cleaning the stone.
Granite is a frequent choice for headstones. It's a beautiful stone, is harder than marble and makes for long-lasting memorials. Over time headstones accumulate lichens, moss, bird droppings or calcium deposits from hard water, usually from the cemetery's lawn-watering system. Periodic cleaning is needed to keep the erosive effects of these materials from permanently damaging the stone. Fortunately granite is hard and can stand up to vigorous cleaning, but you still want to be careful, as improper care can harm your stone.
Cemetery headstones and memorials should be cleaned no more than once every 10 years. Even then, there are things you should and shouldn't do when tidying up the tombstones of your loved ones and ancestors. Arrive at the cemetery with the right knowledge and the right cleaning supplies.
Gravestones are exposed to all the elements, which often results in plant growth, including algae and moss, overtaking the stone. This plant life is not only unattractive, but also harmful. Older gravestones are especially vulnerable, as plant life can cause breakage and chipping. Marble gravestones can be cleaned using a few simple steps and some ordinary supplies.
