How to Get a Headstone Rubbing

Some cemeteries may not allow headstone rubbings to be done.

When done properly, a headstone rubbing provides a chalk or wax relief of the words and images engraved into the stone onto a piece of paper. Some people practice headstone rubbing as a hobby for the aesthetic appreciation of the stone, while others use the information gained from the stone for genealogical or preservation purposes. The most important thing to keep in mind when doing a rubbing is leaving the stone in better condition than you originally found it.

Things You'll Need

• Soft-bristled brush
• Water
• White newsprint paper
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Rubbing wax, large crayons or lumberman's chalk
• Trash bag

Instructions

1. Ask the person or organization in charge of the cemetery if they allow headstone rubbings. You may need to get permission or apply for a permit if it's part of the caretaker's policies.

2. Select a headstone you'd like to do the rubbing on. Avoid damaged stones or ones that have too much moss or lichen growing on them. Stones with deeply cut designs or rounded, high relief carvings may cause the paper to tear. If the stone is weak, the pressure of rubbing could cause more damage.

3. Clean the stone gently of any dirt, moss or debris. Use a soft-bristled brush with natural fibers. Don't use any solution other than water to clean the stone. If there are some stubborn plants or fungus that won't come off with gentle brushing, then leave them instead of trying to be more forceful.

4. Cut your paper generously into a piece that's larger than the face of the stone you'd like to record. Wrap the paper tightly around the sides and back of the stone, then tape it with masking tape.

5. Rub your wax, crayon or chalk lightly across the paper and the design will gradually appear. Once you can see the design well enough, use the end of the crayon or chalk to fill in more-detailed areas with smaller strokes to deepen the color.

6. Remove the paper when you're finished bringing out the design. Place it somewhere where it will be protected from any rain or wind, like a large folder or art portfolio. Record the name of the person, their date of death, where the cemetery is and when the rubbing was taken.

7. Pick up any trash left over from your paper or masking tape. If you had to move anything at the gravesite, put it back where it belongs.

Tips & Warnings

• Test your paper and marking medium before you start working with it on the stone. If any ink or color bleeds through, you'll need to choose new materials.

• If you have trouble reading an inscription, use a large mirror to direct sunlight diagonally across the stone. This will cast shadows into indentations, which makes it easier to read.

• If you see any cracks, breaks, evidence of repairs or any other risk that the stone will collapse under pressure, then do not do any rubbing on that stone. Find a solid stone in good condition instead.

References

• The Association for Gravestone Studies: FAQ
• Morbid Outlook: How to Do Gravestone Rubbings
• Geneva Historical Society: Instructions for Gravestone Rubbing