Cleaning graves can be a very relaxing and enlightening “labor of love“. However, if you’re new to the world of grave cleaning – there are some things to consider before you start.
I’ll be honest – I did A LOT of “homework” before I ran out to the cemetery to tidy up my first gravesite, but I still made some innocent mistakes. It’s only natural to screw some things up when you’re learning as you go.
To help you start (or continue to improve) your grave cleaning efforts, I’m featuring some articles, apps, and other informative resources below that have tremendously helped me become better during my ventures to the cemetery.
Enjoy!
Cemetery Conservators for United Standards is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of cemetery conservators & preservationists from around the United States of America. The grave “Cleaning Basics” section of their website walks you through the “do no harm” cleaning methods as well as harmful methods, and covers both general cleaning and biological growth removal for gravesite memorials.
Find a Grave is the best place on the internet to look for burial and other final disposition information for your family, friends and famous people. The site provides tools that let people from all over the world work together, share information and build an online, virtual cemetery experience.
At Find a Grave you’ll find details about cemeteries and individual memorials for many people buried in those cemeteries. Memorials generally include birth, death and burial information and may include pictures, biographies, family information and more. Members can contribute what they know and can leave remembrances via ‘virtual flowers’ on the memorials they visit, completing the virtual cemetery experience.
How To Safely Clean Graves
Before you run out and attempt to freshen up a loved ones grave or show some attention to a resting place that has apparently not received any TLC in years, it’s very important to learn how to safely clean graves.