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Gravestone

A stone placed over a grave as a marker; a tombstone.

Cleaning Gravestones can prove to be a tedious and difficult job, however with the right knowledge and materials it is possible.

Removing stains from gravestones can prove difficult. These stones are porous materials,

and If not thoroughly sealed they we be susceptible to staining.

The only way a stain can be removed is to use a safe chemical that will pull it out of the stone

and an absorbent material that will soak up the stain.

This chemical absorbent-material combination is commonly referred to as a poultice.

Gravestone and momument rubbings were once very popular, and a common field trip activity for schoolchildren.

Today, many of the stones have been damaged by overzealous rubbing,

as well as the natural decay from the elements and from years of acid rain.

If you are going to do rubbings on actual headstones or monuments,

be sure to check the laws in your state or area before you start. In many states,

particularly in New England, it is against the law to make rubbings on gravestones.

In the UK, there are centres set up specifically for making rubbings, using replicas of the original monuments and plaques.