️This time of year is always a little bittersweet for a grave cleaner that tidies up resting places located in an area that experiences all four season’s. However, springtime is definitely something to look forward to over the next few months – and the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays will be keeping us all busy, busy, busy for sure!
Speaking of the holiday season, keep in mind that Gravesite Care is offering Springtime Gift Certificates for anyone interested in gifting something unique to a family member or friend this Christmas. If that’s something that interests you – send a message!
With the oddly beautiful weather we’ve had in the area, this resting place was recently tidied up – making it the “finale” of the 2022 grave cleaning season.
@sixfeetabovethegrave Probably my last #gravecleaning for the season in my neck of the woods 🥺 #cemetery #cemeterytok #cemeterytiktok #cemeterycleaning #gravetok #graveyard #taphophile #taphophiles #taphophileclub #taphophiles_only #taphophiletok #patina #deathpositivity #deathpositive #ilovecemeteries #cemeterylover #grimm #tistheseason ♬ original sound – Six Feet Above The Grave
It’s obvious that gravesites eventually appear aged to certain extents. It doesn’t matter what they’re made of. Time, nature, inconsistent cleaning, weather conditions and many other things all interact together – which makes a memorial look “old” to some people over time.
This particular gravesite has acquired a full patina look over the length of time it’s been in place. A lot of people (understandably) assume that this bluish / greenish color is just a stain or something that can be scrubbed off, but it’s actually a natural chemical reaction that is bound to happen with any bronze memorial. Bronze (believe it or not) is supposed to do this. Bronze is often referred to as “the eternal metal”, because the changes that happen with patina actually protect the metal – making it last forever.
You can attempt to prolong the time it takes for patina to show itself by performing consistent and proper cleaning techniques. However (as mentioned above), it’s guaranteed to occur at some point. There are a variety of colors that patina can show, but the most common coloration seen in cemeteries (at least in our neck of the woods) is the mix of blues and greens.
So, if the bronze marker placed at the resting place of your loved one is beginning to or entirely showing a patina coloration – don’t be embarrassed or feel stressed! It’s all a part of its natural process, and for those that appreciate the history and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a cemetery – patina memorials just have a certain, extra flare!