How to Care for a Grave Yourself: Tips from Professionals

This article is for those who go to the cemetery themselves and want to do everything right. Every point comes from the experience of crews who care for hundreds of graves every month.

What to bring with you

The minimum kit for a one-time cleaning:

• Pruning shears or a hand scythe for grass and weeds
• A stiff brush for the monument (not metal — it will scratch the polish)
• A bucket of water or a 5 L bottle
• Household soap or a special product for granite
• Gloves
• Plastic bags for trash

If there are lichens or moss on the monument — add a special product against biological stains (sold in hardware stores as an "anti-moss" treatment). It dissolves organic matter without mechanical scrubbing.

Cleaning the plot: where to start

Start from the top down, so that what falls during cleaning does not soil the places you have already cleaned.

First — the area around the fence. Grass and weeds grow actively along the fence. Cut at the root — if you simply break them off, they will grow back in 2–3 weeks. The root of a burdock or wormwood needs to be cut out with a small spade.

Then — the plot itself. Remove dry leaves and trash. If there is a gravel layer — level it with a rake. If there is no gravel and the soil is bare — pull the weeds, apply a spot-application herbicide (Roundup or an equivalent) to the roots — that will last the season.

How to wash a monument properly

Granite is washed with a soft brush and soapy water. Do not use metal sponges, abrasive powders or acid-based products — they destroy the polish.

Dark stains from moisture and organic matter are removed with products for marble and granite (HG, Kiehl brands, or Ukrainian equivalents). Apply for 10–15 minutes, then rinse off with a brush.

Wipe a ceramic portrait with a damp cloth. Clean metal plaques with inscriptions with stainless-steel products (WD-40 or special polishes).

Marble requires more careful handling: it is porous and reacts to acids. Do not wash marble with vinegar or citric acid. A neutral-pH product or plain water will do.

The fence: to paint or not

A metal fence is painted once every 2–4 years. Signs that it is time to paint: flakes of paint are peeling off, orange rust is visible, the surface is rough to the touch.

Before painting, clean off the rust with a wire brush or sandpaper, apply a rust primer, and after 24 hours paint with alkyd enamel. Two coats take 48 hours to dry at a temperature above +10°C. Do not paint in the rain or at +5 and below — the paint will not lay down evenly.

Flowers: what to plant and what to place

Fresh flowers for a one-time visit — carnations, chrysanthemums, tulips. They last in water 5–7 days. If there is no water — use dried flowers.

For permanent planting in the ground, the following are suitable: periwinkle, rue, marigolds, begonia. They are undemanding and grow without constant watering. Roses and tulips look beautiful but require care.

Artificial flowers are a convenient solution, but choose ones with UV protection: cheap ones keep their appearance for 3–4 months, quality ones for up to 3 years. After winter they usually need replacing.

How often to come

At a minimum — twice a year: in spring (before St. Thomas Sunday or Radonitsa) and in autumn (before St. Demetrius Saturday). That is enough for the grave to look well kept.

With regular visits 4–6 times a year you can monitor the condition of the monument and catch problems in time: a crack in the base, rusting fasteners, a broken fence. Minor repairs are always cheaper than a full replacement.

When it is better to turn to a professional

If a grave has not been cleaned for more than two years — doing it yourself will be hard. Deep moss on granite, an overgrown plot, a rusty fence require equipment and chemical products that are not available at home. In addition, restoring an inscription, repairing the base of a monument or fully replacing the gravel layer are physically demanding jobs.

For such cases it is easier to order one full clean-up, get everything in order, and then maintain it yourself or set up a subscription.