Maintaining a Marker

When you are the person who has to maintain the marker for a loved one, it can sometimes be complex to know how to best do this. There are different materials the marker could be made of that can impact the strategies you have to use, so keep that in mind. If you are not sure where to begin and you want to know more about the process, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Brookfield, IL want you to remember.

Gathering the right tools is the best place to begin. You need to be aware that you should not opt for brushes with hard bristles or power-washing equipment so that you do not run into any issues with the marker materials. You want to also forgo harsh chemicals like bleach, since they can only cause issues and stain the marker. You will likely need to use water and soap or detergent to clean the marker, as well as a sponge or a soft brush.

You want to assess the marker before you begin cleaning it. You want to be sure that it is in good condition and does not have flaking, crumbling, or cracking. That can be essential. If you see that the marker is not stable, you want to avoid cleaning it until you resolve what the issue is.

If the marker is made of marble, you want to begin by wetting the stone completely with water. Marble is porous and will absorb any liquid, so you do not want the first liquid that touches it to be the cleaning solution or it will absorb that. Use water instead to avoid that issue. You want to look for algae and other similar growths. If you see any, you want to add a bit of ammonia to the water and use that. Avoid doing this if the marker is made of dark stone, since that can stain in. If it is dark, then use soap and water.

For a marker made of granite, you want to begin in the same manner but you want to avoid using any ammonia at all. You can add an ounce of mild detergent to about five gallons of water and use that to deal with stains or algae. Remember never to begin cleaning the stone while it is dry and take the time to rinse it once you have finished.

All of these tips can help you manage a loved one’s grave marker. You can always ask the provider of the marker to offer some advice on the material’s maintenance, so keep that in mind. If you want to know more about how to maintain a gravesite, you can reach out to a Brookfield, IL funeral home like us. We are ready to help you with all of the arrangements you need after the death of a loved one so do not hesitate to contact us for more information. You can visit us today or you can call us right now to speak with one of our experts about the options we can offer and its pricing.