headstone

[astonsmummy]

how do you clean an old headstone, my grandparents grave has been ther since 1959 and is stone i think not marble or granite. its our poor dads funeral next week and wish to scatter his ashes on his mum and dads grave and need to tidy the neglected grave first. also can you plant a rememberance rose on a grave?

[sense4all]

Oh Sweetheart , there is something made specially for the job ... click on the link ...

http://www.homecareessentials.co.uk/acatalog/H eadstone_Cleaning_Spray.html

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule about plantings it varies from place to place.

I am so very sorry for your loss! Hope this helps you sort out one wee job at any rate. Lots of love Sense. x.

[dot.hawkes]

Sincere sympathy on the loss of your dad, : (
If there is lichen growing on the stone you are not allowed to touch it as it is protected , if it is stone (if you are not sure whether it is granite) you need to take a strong bristle scrubbing brush and a mild detergent, i would avoid using anything with bleach. The guidelines for the planting of anything are usually with either the parish council if it is a Churchyard, or the dept of parks and cemetaries, (or equivalent) if it is a civic cemetary.

[RATTER15]

astonsmummy, this is really a job for a monumental mason of which I was one many years ago. If you supply me with more information I will be able to advise you on cleaning it. I need to know what it is made of, a photo would be a great help!! in 1959 most grave stones were made from either Granite, Marble or Portland stone, Marble would only have been white on a grave stone, Granite would have been grey black speckles, Portland is a far softer stone usually grey and the lettering would probably have deteriorated quite a bit by now.

Is the lettering incised (carved into the stone) or raised lead (stands proud of stone)


You will need to ask the whoever maintains the graveyard or cemetery about planting a rose, basically, if it would prevent them mowing the grave with a lawnmower they probably will not allow it, worth asking though.

If you can give me some more info about the gravestone I will be able to help, especially a pic would help!!

[astonsmummy]

the grass on the grave is quite long and hasnt been touched for a good while i do have photo of grave but unsure how to send