Preserving Grave Markers in Historic Cemeteries

This Preservation Brief focuses on a single aspect of historic cemetery preservation—providing guidance for preserving and protecting grave markers. Besides describing grave marker materials and the risk factors that contribute to their decay, the Brief provides guidance for assessing their conditions and discusses maintenance programs and various preservation treatments. Also identified are a number of excellent references that address materials used in all grave markers, including several other Preservation Briefs (listed in Additional Reading). This Brief highlights particular issues that should be considered with historic grave markers.

This brief would be a valuable reference for owners, property managers, administrators, inhouse maintenance staff , volunteers, and others who are responsible for or are interested in preserving and protecting grave markers.