Cleaning and Maintenance

Preserving Memorial Headstones and Grave Markers
Memorial headstones and grave markers serve as permanent records of personal and community history.  The preservation of headstones and grave markers through regular cleaning and maintenance ensures that our future generations can pay respect to their ancestors and creates an opportunity to glimpse the past.

The Importance of   Cleaning and Maintenance
Damage originating from various sources can take a toll on a headstone or grave marker, eventually make the inscription difficult or impossible to decipher and even affect the structural integrity.  For the preservation of headstones and grave markers, basic cleaning and maintenance is recommended.

 Reasons for Cleaning
Keeps headstones and grave markers clean, legible and prevents deterioration
Preserves structural integrity

Sources of Damage
Weather
Biological growth (moss, lichen, algae, fungi, mold and other plant life)
Soiling (dirt, soil, mud and air pollutants) 
Staining (tree sap, animals and plant life)
Lack of cleaning and maintenance

Riverview Cemetery’s Cleaning and Maintenance Program

Unfortunately, well-meaning efforts to clean headstones and grave markers may potentially damage them if not done properly.  Riverview Cemetery can help avoid that outcome.  Stone is porous, in particular marble, and older stones can be incredibly fragile.  Stones suffer from “invisible” stress cracks, delaminating layers of stone and other age-related issues.  Even a stone as hard as granite can sustain damage if not properly cleaned and maintained. Therefore, it’s often best to get the help of our professionals.  

Through research, skill and training, the staff of Riverview Cemetery is educated to employ the proper techniques and cleaning products to effectively and safely clean headstones and grave markers.  Riverview Cemetery has established and follows proven standards, takes appropriate precautions and utilizes reliable commercial products for cleaning.  

Headstones and grave markers are made of many materials such as marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, bronze, slate, iron, concrete and more.  Each of these handle cleanings and subsequent cleaning products differently.  If the cleaning effort is being made, obviously, it needs to be done right.  The professional staff of Riverview Cemetery is knowledgeable about these requirements and trained to perform this important service.  

Riverview Cemetery’s Professional Assessment

The most essential step in cleaning a headstone or grave marker is to assess its condition.  Upon our assessment, the appropriate cleaning techniques and cleaning products are identified as well as other maintenance or repairs if needed.  As safety is of the upmost importance, the Riverview Cemetery professionals will ensure the headstone is stable, secure, level and all sections securely attached to each other and in no danger of falling if pressure is put on it.  Weather also plays a significant role in the timing of the cleaning.  With hot temperatures, cool water may cause stress fractures in the stone.  With any chance of freezing temperatures, water will get into cracks and upon freezing, may crack the stone.  Riverview Cemetery’s full-time staff is available to clean and perform any maintenance at the appropriate time to ensure the avoidance of damage.

If our evaluation identifies integrity issues, the headstone or grave marker will not be cleaned as cleaning could make the situation worse.  At this point, any preservation efforts should be left to a professional stone conservator or preservationist. 

Riverview Cemetery’s No Harm Cleaning Methods

When it comes to no harm cleaning methods, the least invasive and gentlest methods are always best.  As headstones and grave markers age naturally, cleaning and maintenance should never be about making them look brand new or detract from their character.  Riverview Cemetery uses only professional cleaning products specifically designed to clean the type of material of which the headstone or grave marker is made.  Bleach and other typical household cleaners may be harmful as these contain some amount of cleaning agents or by-products that can do some degree of damage.  Only natural or soft bristle brushes are used in the cleaning process to prevent scratching and damage.  High pressure washers are never used except in extreme and rare instances as water pressure over 40 psi has the potential to cause significant damage to any stone, especially softer stones such as marble.

 Let Us Do the Work 

Riverview Cemetery is responsible for the general condition of the cemetery grounds.  The condition of individual headstones and grave markers, unless damaged by the cemetery, is the sole responsibility of the family.  Any cleaning project if not performed by a family member or without permission from a close relation, is not permissible unless approved by Riverview Cemetery.

By utilizing the services of Riverview Cemetery, you can be confident the cleaning and maintenance of your headstone or grave marker will be professionally done and completed on a timely basis.  You benefit by saving your time, eliminating your labor, avoiding your cost of cleaning products and materials and having the peace of mind of knowing the job will be done right.

For information about this service and prices on cleaning and maintenance, simply inquire at the Riverview Cemetery office.  Price is dependent on the state of the headstone or grave marker.  The professional staff of Riverview Cemetery is committed to this task and looks forward to serving you in the preservation of your memorial headstone or grave marker.