The Beginning of Grave Clean:

I have always enjoyed visiting graves. I have traveled  to many, many cemeteries and graveyards. The condition of them vary. Some are really clean and manicured,  while others seem to have been taken back by nature. Regardless of the location, I have cleaned and straightened headstones. My first step is always asking the cemetery office if it is okay to clean a headstone on the property. Most times they were good with it. During those visits, over time, I’ve noticed the changing appearance of the neighboring headstones in the cemetery.  Some were gradually becoming obscured, blackened by the effects of the environment and time, left unchecked. It was rather sad.The more time I spent surrounded by soiled markers, the more I felt compelled to do something about it.

The Do's and Don'ts:

After extensive research on the various materials used to fabricate headstones in the past, compared to the granite most commonly used today, the do's, the ‘don'ts and the cleaning methods were quite clear to me.  I strapped on my ‘Do No Harm’ belt,  loaded my car  with the recommended cleaning  solution, various supplies, a camera, lots of elbow grease and determination. The destructive, highly shunned ‘power washer’ was not invited. I spent every free moment I had over the next several years scrubbing the stones of my relatives, putting my garden tools to good use sprucing up the grave sites, and placing flower arrangements where allowed. I’ve enjoyed keeping tabs on the various sites and will continue to do so for as long as I can.  

My Promise:

I will always practice the safe, recommended techniques while caring for your loved one’s headstone. In addition to the headstone, urns and/or statuary will be scrubbed. The grass surrounding the headstone will be trimmed, the area will be raked and if requested, artificial flower arrangements will be fashioned to compliment your loved one’s pristine resting place.