How to Do Headstone Rubbings
Cemetery headstones are remarkable things. They serve as reminders for the friends and loved ones of the deceased, and they provide a historical record of one's life and death for members of future generations who are researching their past. Headstones can also be adorned with beautiful engravings and images that reflect and symbolize the life of the deceased. Some people choose to do headstone rubbings of loved ones to keep in a scrapbook or frame to keep for a genealogical record.
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Instructions
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Clean the headstone using a soft-bristled brush and plain water. If there is dirt on the headstone, it will affect your rubbing. Gently clean the headstone with the plain water and brush prior to doing your rubbing. Allow the headstone to dry or gently dry it with a soft towel.
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Cover the front of the headstone with paper. Completely cover the front of the headstone with the tracing paper. Use masking tape, if necessary, to keep the tracing paper in place.
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Hold your pencil at about a 10 to 15 degree angle against the paper. You do not want to use the pencil point when doing your rubbing. Hold the pencil at such an angle that it maximizes the amount of lead exposed to the paper.
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Carefully rub your pencil against the paper. Continue gently rubbing the pencil against the paper until you have copied the entire front of the headstone.
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Remove the paper from the headstone. If you have used masking tape to keep the paper in place, remove it very gently to avoid damaging the headstone.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact the cemetery prior to going to ensure that you have permission to do your headstone rubbing.
