How to Do a Grave Marker Rubbing

Grave marker rubbings can help you discover and collect information about those who have gone before you. Whether you are doing rubbings of people in your family or just capturing the artful designs of the stones of people unknown to you, there are certain rules to follow. It's important to preserve the tombstone as you make your rubbing. Once you have taken preservation into account, the rubbing itself does not take long.

Things You'll Need

• Soft-bristled brushes
• Toothbrush
• Wooden craft sticks
• Heavy-weight non-fusible interfacing fabric
• Scissors
• Masking tape
• Large crayon

Instructions

Preparing to Rub

1. Ask the person in charge of the cemetery whether there is a ban against making gravestone rubbings there. If not, find out if there is a permit or fee required and pay it, if applicable.

2. Evaluate the stone. According to The Association for Gravestone Studies, it is important to rule out stones that have cracks or those that have been broken and repaired. You should also watch out for stones that are near crumbling, with air pockets in the stone that might collapse when you rub them. Also at risk are grave marker stone that sound hollow when tapped. (See Reference 1) You will not be able to do rubbings on these stones.

3. Dust off the stone with the soft brush. Pay close attention to the crevices of the artwork and letters. Use the toothbrush and craft sticks to gently remove any loose dirt from the tombstone face. Use water with the soft brush and work from the bottom to the top of the tombstone to loosen and remove even more dirt.

Making the Grave Marker Rubbing

1. Cut a piece of the interfacing fabric large enough to cover the tombstone face. With the masking tape, attach it on the top, bottom, and sides so it will not slide as you rub.

2. Remove the paper from the large crayon. Lay the crayon on its side and rub the interfacing with the crayon. Rub carefully, covering every part of the covered tombstone face with color. You should see the words and artwork begin to take shape on your fabric.

3. Remove the tape and take your grave marker rubbing. Pick up your brushes and any trash you might have scattered.

4. Take the interfacing rubbing home. Family Tree Magazine suggests you iron the design into the interfacing. Do this by placing it face up on the ironing board, covering it with a towel, and pressing down with a hot dry iron. (Reference 2)

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to save money, you can use butcher paper in place of the interfacing fabric, but it is more difficult to transport without wrinkling. If you choose to use butcher paper, do not try to iron on the image when you get home.

• Do not use any fabric or paper with any crayon without testing it away from the grave marker first to make sure it does not bleed through. Never use a permanent marker to do gravestone rubbings.

References

• The Association of Gravestone Studies
• Family Tree Magazine: Tombstone Rubbing