Cemeteries are places of history and heritage, which show us how things were, and like everything else they age. The aim of conserving monuments is to retain as much as possible of the original fabric, and therefore its significance. It is important to note that cemetery trusts are not normally responsible for the maintenance of graves. Cemetery trusts are permitted to restore significant monuments under certain conditions using non-core funds outlined by the Department of Health. Cemetery trusts also have the responsibility to ensure that memorials are kept safe by grave owners who are legally known as the ‘Holder of the Right of Interment’. In Victoria, graves remain the property and responsibility of the ‘Holder of the Right of Interment’ and permission must be obtained from them before any work whatsoever, including cleaning, is undertaken on graves.
Also, in the case of heritage-listed monuments, the local council or Heritage Victoria must also be consulted before any work is planned. Expert and appropriate advice should be sought on specific aspects of conservation work, for example, repair and restoration of monuments. Attempts by unskilled workers to make repairs should be avoided as in many cases this results in additional or long-term damage. The references quoted at the end of this article should be consulted before seeking to undergo any work on monuments.
The following cleaning advice is only for those who own graves or have the permission of the ‘Holder of the Right of Interment’ to undertake appropriate cleaning work on their graves. Before any cleaning the type of stone and soiling needs to be identified. If the stone is very soft and the surface has deteriorated, then cleaning may not even be appropriate. For example, is the soiling, city grime, country dust, or algae and lichen? The treatment should be very different for each of these. The only cleaning which can really be done safely by amateurs is the removal of simple airborne dirt on hard stone, which can be removed with clean water and soft bristle brushes. For any other case, the first question is: Does the surface really need cleaning? The second question should be: If cleaning is essential, how can we avoid over-cleaning, and doing more harm than good? Only water solutions should be used and a gentle action is required. Do not use hard bristles, scrapers, wire brushes, or abrasive pads or high-pressure hosing – only soft bristle brushes, soft sponges and old toothbrushes. Generally, avoid the use of soaps or organic detergents which may remain and encourage algae, moss and lichen. General-purpose cleaners are also unsuitable.
Experts should be consulted about the removal of lichens, mosses and fungus. Generally, it is advisable not to remove lichens from headstones as more damage to the stone may result. All ironwork such as grave surrounds should be maintained against corrosion. In most cases routine applications of fish oil will suffice. Fish oil will protect the iron railing without significantly changing its appearance. It is not recommended that the grave surrounds be painted if they are currently unpainted. Cemetery monuments are a very important part of our heritage and should be cared for with the best of intentions and appropriate methods and techniques.
References: A Guide to the Conservation of Cemeteries. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) 1982 Cemeteries Our Heritage. Edited by Celestina Sagazio, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 1992. Conserving Our Cemeteries. Edited by Celestina Sagazio.
National Trust of Australia, (Victoria) 2003; Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation, NSW National Trust and the NSW Department of Planning, Heritage Branch, Sydney, 2009
Contributed by Carol Stals PPPG member #41 in consultation with Dr Celestina Sagazio 22/08/2021