top of page
Loye Family Plot_2 (2)_edited.jpg
IMG_20220327_120146658_HDR_edited.jpg

Preserving Our Cemeteries

 Our dedication to cemetery preservation ensures that the stories of those who came before us are not forgotten. 

“The character of a people, I think, may be read from a visit to their cemetery" - New Orleans Weekly Delta, February 1850

Historically Speaking: Proper Care of Our Cemeteries

Webster Parish Journal

May 30, 2024

​

By Jessica Gorman

​

In the midst of the Covid pandemic, many took to the cemeteries and spent their time giving back to their communities. This also gave rise to social media content creation focused on cleaning headstones. Since that time, there has been an increased interest in cemetery preservation. Many of us have taken the time to learn proper methods and what to avoid. We have attended headstone cleaning workshops to learn from experienced, knowledgeable, professionals. We have worked to raise awareness of the need to care for our cemeteries.

​

Unfortunately, this interest in cemetery preservation has also led to others adamant on cutting corners, insisting that following proper standards simply isn’t necessary. They would have you believe they know better. Don’t be fooled.

​

Proper care of our cemeteries is of utmost importance. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, people do bad things with good intentions everyday. But here’s the thing. We live in a time when we have no legitimate excuses for ignorance. We carry access to a seemingly unlimited amount of information everywhere we go. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves, to know better, and to do better.

​

I feel a deep, personal responsibility to advocate for and protect our cemeteries. In 2020, I began learning about cemetery preservation. Since then, I have spent an untold amount of time literally crawling on the ground removing dirt and grass from grave markers by hand. I have invested my own time and money and spent hours sweating in the sun to clean and repair headstones. I have made an effort to learn from professionals like Jon Appell and Jason Church. I have encouraged others to get involved and have been met with frustration and discouragement over their lack of concern. Still, I hold out hope that one day we will have a local cemetery preservation program in place.

​

So, why do we clean headstones? Contrary to proper belief it is not to make them look new again. Our goal should always be preservation. If not cleaned properly and for the right reasons, they would be better not cleaned at all. In fact, several years ago a recommendation was made that Louisiana require certification of any individuals participating in activities that constitute repair work in a cemetery. This recommendation was made based on instances of damage caused by those with good intentions but a lack of knowledge.

​

How do we safely and properly clean a headstone? First of all, you must have permission either from the family or the cemetery and sometimes both. Then, we use the gentlest method necessary. We assess the condition of the stone to be sure that it is acceptable to be cleaned. Cleaning is very simple and straight-forward. All you really need is water, soft brushes, and a product called D/2 Biological Solution. D/2 is used to kill biological material on and in the stone and is the only product that has undergone the necessary testing to ensure that it will cause no harm either now or in the future. The simplest method of using D/2 is to spray the stone and leave it. It will kill the biological growth over time. Most prefer to remove surface grime before applying D/2. This is my preferred method. In this case, you simply wet the stone thoroughly with water, gently scrub with a soft brush, and rinse. The D/2 can then be applied.

​

The full effect of D/2 is not immediate. It will continue to work over the course of the following weeks and months as it kills the biological growth that has worked its way into the stone. Removal of the biological matter is important as it causes damage to the stone and escalates deterioration.

​

You will hear of people who use a product called Wet & Forget. They will assure you that it’s safe. Mostly, they like the fact that it’s cheaper and more readily available than D/2. However, the truth is that Wet & Forget may turn out to be safe, but we don’t know that yet. The necessary testing hasn’t been done. One defense for the use of Wet & Forget is that it is approved for use in national cemeteries, but the point that is being missed is that this approval is specific to national cemeteries and does not extend to all gravestones. National cemeteries are owned and maintained by the federal government. They are filled with government-issued, government-owned headstones. Headstones that they will replace should the need arise. Basically, they can use any method they choose to clean them. You may not realize that all government-issued headstones remain federal property whether in a national cemetery or not. When in need of replacement, a request can be submitted for a new marker.

​

What are other things that should never be used on or near gravestones? Bleach, household cleaners, weed killer, any chemical that may leach from the ground into a stone, power tools, metal tools, anything abrasive, and pressure washers. While the damage is often not immediately evident and may not be for years, all of these things are destructive to gravestones. In fact, while Wet & Forget is approved for use on government-issued headstones, the use of pressure washers is explicitly prohibited. If you serve as part of a cemetery association or oversee a cemetery in any way, I urge you to put the proper restrictions in place to prohibit the use of these things. Please consider learning about cemetery preservation standards and adopting the necessary policies to protect these sacred places. Even if you don’t oversee a cemetery, I ask you to please share this information with others. Protecting and preserving our cemeteries is important

 

For anyone who may have an interest in learning more about cleaning headstones and cemetery preservation, you have an opportunity to attend a workshop in Natchitoches on June 17th. I encourage you to do so. This workshop is part of Atlas Preservation’s 48 State Tour conducted by Jon Appell. Jason Church with the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training will also be on hand. For more information, you can visit 48statetour.com.

​

(Jessica Gorman is the Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)

Gravestone Cleaning Basics

Remember always to do no harm!

What to do

Obtain permission.

Use the gentlest method necessary.

Use water, soft brushes, and D/2.

Be patient, D/2 continues to work over time.

​

What Not To Do​

Never use anything abrasive!

No bleach or other household products!

No power tools!

No pressure washers!

​Don't overscrub!

No metal tools!

Other things to know​

Never use weed killer or other chemicals near gravestones.

The goal is care and preservation of gravestones not trying to make them look like new!

bottom of page