Grave Care & Restoration Blog

No family left? Perpetual care may cover mowing, but not the headstone. Learn who is responsible for an abandoned grave and when a plot can be reclaimed.

Veteran headstones remain government property, and VA bans power washing them. See Tending's safe cleaning methods for marble, granite & bronze markers.

Scraping lichen or moss off a headstone often damages the stone underneath. See the safe removal method Tending uses, and what to avoid at home.

Trinity rings, Woodmen tree stumps, and heaven's gate carvings each have a specific meaning. Learn to read these less common headstone symbols correctly.

Freeze-thaw cycles crack a dirty headstone all winter. See why fall is the best time to clean one, and how Tending arranges it end to end, from anywhere.

Why should you never pressure wash a headstone? Learn how high-pressure water destroys historic markers and discover safe alternative cleaning methods.

Discover how to research your family history using gravestones. Learn how to read headstone symbols, date older markers, and preserve genealogical records.

Looking to clean a bronze grave marker? Read our complete care guide to understand the difference between patina and corrosion, and learn safe cleaning methods.

Discover what to do when a cemetery headstone leans or falls over. Learn the safe, 4-step professional process for monument leveling and base repair.

Discover how to locate a lost or forgotten family grave. Learn which free databases, local archives, and cemetery records to use to find your ancestor's plot.

Discover the hidden meanings behind cemetery headstone symbols like crosses, doves, and anchors. Learn how to decode your family history in the stone.

Learn how to choose a reliable grave care service. Discover red flags to avoid, questions to ask, and how to safely hire professional headstone cleaning experts.