Doing our good deed for the day
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
December 12, 2023 2:22am CST
We did our good deed yesterday and went to the cemetery to try to clean up the surrounds of the headstone on the grave of Vincent’s parents.
The headstone itself had been removed and professionally cleaned but the urns and base needed cleaning. Although we weren’t able to remove all the stains, the whole thing looks a bit better now.
The rusty-looking stains are from the iron oxide in the water that is used to keep the lawns around the graves nice and green. In January, we’ll meet to remember Mr and Mrs Evans. Like many others of their time, they had a tough life but were able to raise and educate seven children.
Vince took the before and after photos. Although some of the lettering looks missing, it’s only because of the way the light falls on the stonework.
18 people like this
15 responses
@Juliaacv (51190)
• Canada
12 Dec
What a huge difference, much better after the work was done.
I find it interesting (oddly enough) the different kinds of tombstones different countries have.
Traditionally, ours have a big base as this one does, but has an even bigger stone, several inches thick, usually with engraving on the front and sometimes a little on the back, or a scene.
Some of the cemeteries that are specific for interment of cremated remains have the low tombstones almost flat.
There are also columbines for cremated remains, which remind me of a neighbourhood mailbox stand.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Dec
@JudyEv The newer cemeteries will only allow ones that lay flat, so the groundskeepers can just run their mowers over them.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec
@BarBaraPrz That's probably a very good idea.
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (5730)
• United States
12 Dec
Their plot looks so much nicer now that the urns and base are clean.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
12 Dec
You did a nice job of cleaning the urns, etc. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87806)
• Bangalore, India
12 Dec
It's a noticeable difference in the before and after pictures. You did a really good job cleaning that up.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Dec
That looks like a lot of work. Much improved!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec
We used diluted hydrochorloric acid on it. It's certainly better than it was.
@snowy22315 (180678)
• United States
12 Dec
Good job...My dad when he was well used to tidy up around my grandparent's headstones maybe once a month or so.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec
Some cemeteries here are kept tidy but others don't get a lot of attention. We noticed a huge difference in Europe where the cemeteries were very well maintained.
@Orson_Kart (6776)
• United Kingdom
12 Dec
You’ve made a great job of cleaning the headstone up. Considering it is over 50 years old, it is in very good condition. 
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
12 Dec
Beautiful stone work Judy.
RIP Vince's parents.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Dec
They look very nice now, That is good that they do this clean up,
1 person likes this
