A Guide To Protecting Your Monument

Whilst you may never really have thought about it before, the monuments in our cemeteries are actually exposed to a number of threats that pose a serious risk of damage. Some are slow and gradual, whilst others are quick and sudden; some are caused by people, whilst others are a result of natural causes. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that we can work to avoid or even to counter these threats, ensuring that our monuments remain well protected into the future. We have compiled this article to help you achieve this.

• Erosion

  One of the most common threats to our monuments is erosion, which is, unfortunately, inevitable to a certain degree. Whilst it is impossible to prevent wind and rain from changing the area around the grave (not to mention the grave itself), there are ways that you can work to lessen these affects. Try, for example, to find a sheltered location for the headstone and one that does not place it beneath a tree or anything else that drops debris.

• Discolouration

  Another very common threat is that of discolouration, which can have a very negative impact on the colour of the monument. Whenever you visit the grave, make sure that you clear away any debris that has gathered, as this is known to cause stains if left unattended. You should also avoid placing the headstone beneath anything that could drop debris onto its surface. Unfortunately, there is no way that you can avoid the sun bleaching the colour out of the stone.

• Vandalism

  Whilst this is a threat that doesn’t occur all that often, there is always the chance that the monument will be subjected to vandals. More often than not, these people are teenagers or young adults who find a thrill breaking into cemeteries and damaging the headstones. To help avoid this, make sure that you have chosen a cemetery that has a good reputation for looking after its monuments. If you notice damaged fences or gates, you should report these to management.

• Authorities

  This is the least common of all the threats that our monuments are subjected to, but it is one that you should still be aware of. On the very odd occasion, local authorities or even the owners of the cemetery may remove the headstone because they believe it to be unsafe. You can avoid this by keeping in regular contact with the owners of the cemetery, as this will give you advance knowledge of any changes. It also gives you the opportunity to discuss a solution.

As you can see, there are actually a number of threats that could easily mean the downfall of your monument. Fortunately, you are able to avoid these threats as thoroughly as possible by following the above tips and instructions. If you know of a monument that has, unfortunately, been subjected to erosion or even vandalism it is possible to have this damage repaired. These days, many stone masons are able to repair minor damage and to re-cut the lettering, helping to restore the headstone to its former glory.