How to Make a Grave Cover
A grave blanket is used to cover a grave site with flowers and evergreen during the winter months. Small grave blankets are sometimes draped over the headstone instead of placing them on the ground. They are very popular in the Midwestern states. The grave blanket ranges from 24 by 36 inches to 36 by 72 inches. The finished size of the grave blanket is up to you, limited to the space available for transportation and/or dictated by the cemetery. Check with the cemetery caretaker before beginning the project.
Things You'll Need
- Chicken wire
- Tape measure
- Wire cutters
- Evergreen boughs
- Floral foam
- Floral tape
- Floral knife
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Outdoor ribbon
- Fresh flowers
- Pine cones
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure and cut a piece of chicken wire 2 1/2 feet by 5 1/2 feet. This will make a full-size grave blanket. Adjust the size according to your need.
-
2
Place the chicken wire on a flat, clean work surface. Weave evergreen boughs through the wire, extending 6 inches past the outside edges. Secure the ends of the boughs to the chicken wire using floral tape. The weave uses an up-and-down motion of the stem of the evergreen bough going in and out of every other chicken wire opening. Begin at the outside edge and work toward the center. Make sure to cover all gaps.
-
-
3
Position floral foam in the desired location for flower placement. Secure the floral foam to the evergreen boughs and chicken wire with floral tape. Pull the tape slightly when securing to release the tacky glue-like substance within the floral tape.
-
4
Cut the stems of the fresh flowers to the desired length. Insert the stems in the floral foam. There is no specific way to arrange the flowers. It is up to you.
-
5
Weave ribbon through the evergreen boughs if desired. Make four large 1-foot bows. Secure a bow on four sides of the center floral arrangement. Use floral tape or florist wire to secure the bows to the evergreen boughs and chicken wire.
-
6
Cut a piece of floral wire 18 inches long. Fold the 18-inch wire in half. Unfold the floral wire and place the crease along the center bottom of a pine cone. Pull the wire between the pine cone petals. Secure the pine cone to the grave blanket in the desired location. Repeat the process with nine to 18 pine cones.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Add more color to the evergreen areas by attaching colored light bulbs, holly and garland on the grave blanket surface.
