Cleaning Old Gravestones

[ricky1]

Hi Guy

I think we could go round and round in circles about who own's what gravestone, but as far as I am concerned my ancestors bought and paid for the grave stone or plot,and we have both, one side has a plot and the otherside of the family has grave stones,  and I think it is my duty as next of kin to keep it clean and neat for the next generation of my family. If it means removing moss etc so be it, as there are plenty of other things it can spread itself over.


ricky

[Necromancer]

“This is not the age of reason, this is the age of flummery, and the day of the devious approach.

Reason’s gone into the backrooms where it works to devise means by which people can be induced to emote in the desired direction.”

John Wyndham, J. (1960), The Trouble With Lichen. Penguin Books. pg. 91

 

[KathMc]

I've kind of stayed away for a bit as it got a little hot in this room for me. Didn't mean to get anyone riled starting this topic. funny how something that seems so uncontroversial can get quite a discussion going.

Kath

[ricky1]

Hi Kath

I apologize if it seems to have got a bit hot on your thread. Was just that you asked about cleaning moss etc of gravestones, and I think some people on here have given some good advice on how to do it. Whether you use any of the idea's that have been suggested is up to you. I can only go by my experience on how I have cleaned off several family graves stones in the past.
As for how you stand legally about removing moss etc, as there might be someone lurking around the graveyard trying to catch you doing it, that is up to you if you want to take the risk .
I know this bit is a bit of topic, but was driving down a street near me and noticed the house roofs, some had moss etc on them and some had new roofs. Was just wandering if the family who owned the propery or the person who replaced the roof got into trouble, because he had removed the roof with the moss etc on it.

regards

ricky

[Jayson]

Sorry Kath! I suppose we are all very passionate in our beliefs.  Though I believe there are more important things happening in the world at present to be passionate about.

[KathMc]

No need for apology, I didn't mean to start such a sticky topic. I don't mind the thread being "hijacked" as it can often lead to very interesting conversations.

Jayson, there are some things I am very passionate about also that might not seem important to others, so I understand that.

Ricky, you are a pot stirrer, you are. I'm going to watch myself around the likes of you. 

Kath

[ricky1]

Kath

Me a pot stirrer, I have been called alot of thing's in my time , but never one of them. Its just I like a good discussion, and I must admit you have a good one going on this thread .

regards

ricky

[annieoburns]

I think I chipped in a bit about finding very old stone in precarious state and paint splash on it.  Also inscription is unreadable tho luckily have a copy of it.  It is tilting at angle of 45degrees and feel something should be done.  Another even older one is beyond retrieving.

There is a problem in that graves plots might only belong to you for so many years and then revert to authority etc.  Another very old family grave was built over  with a community centre on top.  Very sad for my father when he came from afar on his annual visit with brush and bleach.  I presume stone is parked around wall somewhere.

Very good topic as it end of line in lot of research to locate grave and pay repects.

Anne

[tonyg87]

There is a organic cleaner called 'Wet and Forget which is used for roofs and pathways. It is applied with a pump action bottle similar to window cleaners etc. takes up to six months to gradually clean it up. No scratching or scouring needed.