Within every cemetery in the country are headstones that symbolise the life and journey of many different people. Each tombstone is unique, representing the story of the person who was buried there. Tombstones are also an important grieving symbol for families.
The challenge that many people face is how to best preserve their tombstones. Over time, natural agents such as dirt, moisture and chemicals in the air tend to wear out tombstones. The entire stone can eventually become worn out even beyond recognition.
Luckily, restoration and cleaning are both techniques aimed at extending the life of tombstones. You should understand what these two techniques involve, and how they differ in their applications and benefits.
What to expect during cleaning
Cemetery and tombstone cleaning is a rather simple, yet important technique for preserving tombstones. Regular cleaning will remove potentially harmful reagents that can wear out your stone over time. However, cleaning a tombstone is much different from cleaning any other surface. Not only does it require a careful process, but it also requires special cleaning agents that can help the stone remain durable over time.
Tombstone cleaning starts with the removal of debris and vegetation that may have landed near the area. Such debris can accumulate within a short period of time and begin wearing away the stone. Next, the stone is rinsed with chemically neutral solutions. The purpose of rinsing is it to keep the stone free from potentially harmful chemical reactions. In some cases, gentle brushing may be necessary to remove stubborn stains or bird droppings.
The unique thing about tombstone cleaning is that each type of stone is cleaned in a specific way. For example, granite is cleaned differently from marble, which is cleaned differently from quartz. You can think of tombstone cleaning as a type of cemetery conservation project.
What to expect during restoration
Tombstone and cemetery restorations can essentially breathe life into a worn out or damaged site. Restoration is done with the aim of giving a new look to the tombstone, without losing the original identity and memories contained therein. When a tombstone is being restored, consideration is given to the original type of stone, the layout of the gravesite and even the surrounding vegetation. Indeed, a gravesite becomes a historical artefact that can hold immense value in many years to come.
Restoration involves strengthening damaged tombstones, replacing worn-out parts or even replacing the entire tombstone with a new one (without losing the identity of the original). For more information on tombstones, contact your local funeral home.
Share7 May 2019
Irving Berlin famously sang, "The song is ended, but the melody lingers on..." Anyone who has been in charge of funeral arrangements knows the importance of striking the delicate balance between reverence and celebration which helps us remember the true heart of a person. We admire incredible examples of funerals that faithfully commemorate a person's life such as those for Nelson Mandela and Joan Rivers. Unfortunately, funerals for our own loved ones often end up being generic or "cookie cutter" because sadness overwhelms us. This blog is designed to help by outlining the ways that funeral directors can personalise a service and providing imaginative ideas.