In recent months I’ve noticed an increase in the number of people interested in cleaning gravestones. While this is an admirable notion it’s also an activity that strikes fear into the heart of many a taphophile.
If not carefully researched and prepared for, an attempt to clean a gravestone can result in more damage than lichen or bird poo can ever do. Furthermore, over-cleaning results in the removal of the natural patinas and ageing effects that give character to old stones.
To that end I’ve put together a list of DOS and DON’TS to help you make the most of your gravestone photography while ensuring no damage is done.
While they may seem restrictive, it is important that the utmost respect be shown towards cemeteries and gravestones. “Getting a great shot” comes second to ensuring minimum interference with a gravestone.
DO trim long grasses or remove fallen leaves and debris obscuring a gravestone. Keep in mind that vegetation can add to a photograph if it is not interfering with the view.
DO NOT interfere with plants purposefully placed or planted on the gravesite no matter how much they may hinder photography. Work around the problem.
DO transcribe by hand any inscriptions that are obscured or not easily captured photographically.
DO NOT take grave rubbings. While this has been long-used to record inscriptions and bring-up worn lettering grave rubbing can cause damage to brittle stone (particularly soft stone such as limestone and sandstone). Some cemeteries have started restricting the practice of grave rubbing for this very reason.
DO use a soft clean cloth or soft bristle brush, such as a paintbrush, with water to remove muck, such as mud and bird poo, from a gravestone. Use a light touch and be patient.
DO NOT use a wire brush on any part of a gravestone. Not only will it damage the surface but the resulting scratch marks can encourage the growth of lichen and moss.
DO NOT touch or attempt to clean any gravestone that appears unstable or that is in a badly damaged state. Quite apart from further damage to the gravestone you might easily hurt yourself.
DO NOT use any solution other than plain water to clean a gravestone. Different types of stone react differently to cleaning or moss/lichen removing solutions and damaged stone can absorb and discolour if wrongly treated.
DO NOT attempt to restore, repair, or thoroughly clean a gravestone to which you have no connection or have no permission to clean.
The Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust of New Zealand has an excellent website which contains, among other things, best practice advice on cleaning gravestones.
If you wish to have a gravestone cleaned and restored professionally get in touch with your local stonemason.
Thank goodness there is someone here in NZ with similar interests.. headstones! And notice cleaning them!!! Far too many folk think 30 second liquid will do it, no plain water, soft brush and TLC.
I often carry my basket around cemeteries, to clean before photographing, as 9 times out of 10, unreadable. When I first started, had to clear the weeds.. bushes away from Clareville Cemetery.. enjoy doing it.,. far too many folk plant a tree and wonder why the roots have broken up the concrete…. roots travel…. its a no no to have a tree near a grave.. they do untold damage. Clareville Taphophile
Posted by Adele Pentony-Graham | May 31, 2011, 11:02 pmThere are a few of us about, Adele
Since starting this blog I have found many who are passionate about cemeteries and headstones in New Zealand – hooray!!
Do you have a website with your Clareville Cemetery images?
Helen
Posted by hleggatt | May 31, 2011, 11:12 pmDid you ever hear of birds carrying away small shiny stones from graves. A substantial number have gone missing in the last two weeks from grave. If so how do you deal with this problem or has someone gone and taken them, please email me back asap, thanks pat barry
Posted by Pat Barry | October 5, 2011, 7:11 pmHi Barry, that’s a new one on me I’m afraid. If the stones were small enough I guess a magpie or other large bird could have taken them. Otherwise perhaps children in the cemetery have disturbed them. Either way, not very nice to find them missing. Which cemetery is this?
Regards
Helen
Posted by hleggatt | October 5, 2011, 10:50 pm