How to Make Grave Marker Molds

You can cast replicas of historic grave markers by making a silicone mold.

Molding a headstone or a grave marker is a special case of in-situ mold making. Unlike many other types of molding, you can't move the model or lay it flat in a box, so poured molds are out of the question. Even high-viscosity brush-on compounds usually aren't appropriate, because these would require the application of sealants and release agents to the grave marker; it's unlikely cemetery groundskeepers would approve of that. Instead, the best product to use is two-part silicone molding putties. These press right onto the stone, and when they cure they can be lifted away without leaving any residue.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush
• Clean cloths
• 2-Part addition-cured silicone putty (e.g. Cementex Zero Put 35)
• Plastic mixing bucket
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Clean the grave marker thoroughly with a wire brush and clean cloths. Make sure the stone is dry.

2. Put on the rubber gloves. Add equal parts by volume of the two-part mold-making compound into the bucket. The total volume should be enough to cover the face and sides of the stone to a depth of at least 1/2 inch. Knead the two parts together until it is a uniform color.

3. Press the putty onto the face and sides of the stone, down to the grass line. The putty remains workable for about 20 minutes.

4. Allow the putty to cure for about six hours. The putty should become quite stiff.

5. Lift the mold away from the stone, making sure to brush off any bits of compound that might have adhered to the stone.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're working on a large stone, you may want to press the putty on a handful at a time.

• If you're molding an upright stone, your mold will be open at the bottom, where the stone meets the grass. To close this opening, build a snug-fitting wood frame around the mold that will seal off the bottom end.

• By using the right concrete formulation and coloring in your mold, you can cast an amazingly realistic replica of the grave marker.

• Applying mold-making compound to grave markers may be forbidden by some cemeteries, and may actually be illegal in some areas. Always get permission from the cemetery staff and, if necessary, the family of the deceased before molding a grave marker.

• The molding compound must remain dry as it's curing, and should be at a temperature of about 70 degrees F. or warmer. Take weather conditions into account before beginning your mold.

References

• Holdens Latex: Mold Making Using RTVs
• Hirst Arts: Mold Making Page
• Art Shrines: Casting from Gravestones and Other Sculpted Surfaces

Resources

• Cemetary Studies: Cemetery Art and Symbolism