RootsChat.Com

I don't think you can compare European cemeteries with English ones, because you simply do not know where the funding for this comes from.  There are a lot of things to consider.  Just over seven years ago I set up a Friends group to save an ancient cemetery, one of the earliest in England.  since then I have not only read a lot, I have had considerable conversation with the Council in question, and therefore I know many things that others do not.

In Europe, the families look after their own headstone.  In England, for some odd reason, families believe the headstone is the Council's responsibility, which it is not.  In Europe, there is huge respect for the elderly of the family - you cannot say the same about England generally.  In Europe on 1 November, which is All Souls Day, the families all go to the cemetery, this does not happen in England.  For years, no-one has really bothered about this problem (save a few of us) and it is only since the advent of family history that people have decided to visit graves of our forebears.  For this reason alone, you cannot compare England with Europe.  The Council I have had lots of contact with are very sympathetic to the cause, however, Bereavement Services get a meagre amount of funding out of the Council Budget - it is the same for all councils.  They have to put the bulk of their money into new and frequently used cemeteries, not closed ones.  This is perfectly understandable, if regrettable.  The general public's idea of restoring an ancient cemetery is to have it all looking like a war cemetry - all clean and pristine, which is out of touch with what they really should look like.  There is no good having a cemetery which opened in 1836 looking brand new - it is simply not right.    There are rules in cemetery, unwritten, but they are there because of conservation.  Too much cleaning of headstones is not what is desirable.  In Bristol, at Arnos Vale which is a wonderful cemetery, Conservation will not allow them to remove ivy from certain headstones - pourely because the ivy prevents the headstone from being seen, and at the same time, prevents the headstone from becoming the target of vandals.  I am not saying I agree with this, but I can understand it, having been involved so heavily with 'my' cemetery.  There are many issues and I could be here all night writing about it, which I do't intend to be.  All I would say is that in cleaning of headstones, please bear in mind the age of the cemetery, only use products (if necessary) that are environmentally friendly, and if in any doubt, ask either the local Council or Conservation.

Billysgran

I have had quite a lot to do with cemeteries and headstones and I do agree that they, in the main, should be left alone if at all possible.  If it HAS to be cleaned to read, soap and water is all that is required, and a soft brush.  Remember that lichen is actually protected, so to remove is technically illegal.

When you consider the age of some of our cemeteries, do we really want them looking pristine and new?  I think not.  An ancient cemetery should look ancient, and not new.

Billysgran