4 Key Tips to Know for Caring for a Loved One’s Headstone
Losing a loved one can be a tremendous burden to carry, but having a place where you can visit them can make it a bit easier to move through your grief. The problem? Grave markers like headstones are not immune to ending up damaged or otherwise disturbed. If you’re like most, you want to make sure your loved one’s final resting place and headstone are properly cared for. But what can you do to ensure this? Here are four key tips to know for caring for a loved one’s headstone that will keep their headstone as everlasting and as vibrant as their memory.
1. Make Sure That the Headstone Is Durable
The best way to make caring for your loved one’s headstone seamless is to seek out the right headstone when you begin planning ahead for their funeral and burial. All types of headstones come with their own advantages and disadvantages, which will play a role in how well they hold up against various external elements. You can navigate these complexities by working with someone who creates custom headstones. This way, you’ll have all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision.
2. Clean It With Gentle Solutions and Tools
There’s nothing wrong with cleaning your loved one’s headstone. However, there are common cleaning solutions and methods that are too harsh for headstones. When you use the wrong method, you can end up doing more harm than good. To properly clean a headstone, use natural cleaning agents and gentle cleaning tools to avoid doing harm to the underlying material while still getting out dirt and other contaminants. Avoid the use of bleach, salt, and power tools or pressure washers.
3. Inspect It for Damage Every so Often
The best defense against erosion and damage is a watchful eye. For example, if you frequently visit your loved one, you may want to keep an eye out for developing problems like cracks. Water can easily get into cracks, freeze, and expand, causing immense damage in a short period of time. If you can stay on top of this and repair your loved one’s headstone as you go, it will be much easier to care for it.
4. Consider Using Canopies or Other Protective Tools
Do you live in an area where water, ice, or debris is constantly getting on your loved one’s grave? If so, you might want to look into installing or using tools like canopies. Protective items will ward off any potential threats to the gravestone fairly well. Just work with your cemetery to make sure that it’s okay with them that you add these additions. You don’t want to get in trouble for disturbing other peoples’ graves or putting something in the cemetery that shouldn’t be there.
Your loved one’s final resting place is important. Fortunately, it can be quite simple to care for their gravestone. Whether you’re worried about cracking material or gradual wear and tear, the guide above provides you with a wide range of support so that you can care for your loved one’s headstone with ease.