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When to Move Monuments
Back in the 50's to 80's stones
were often placed in cement slabs.
Research has now found that causes damage
to them due to use of incompatible
materials. It of course also loses
the original location of all graves.
Photo by J Skakel
When to move stones and when not to move them.
We are hoping that you looked at this title and said to yourself "Is this guy moving stones? Is he crazy?" Basically you NEVER, but NEVER move a stone with the possible exception of foot stones. We have moved two stones a few inches as they were getting beaten to death with automobiles driving over them. Too close to the road. They were not where they can been seen and people were even parking on them. IF it is a case of move a stone 20 cm to protect it from cars you might think about it. But otherwise you NEVER move a stone. NEVER place them all in a straight line. NEVER move them to cut the lawn around them. Just imagine how far a stone like that can "Walk" if you move it each time that you cut the lawn. You NEVER move a stone because it would look better in line with the one next door. The one exception as noted MIGHT be foot stones. These stones are no longer really necessary to mark the feet of the individual interred there. So, you might decide to move them closer to the head stone, etc. The 100% exception to this of course is if the head stone is missing. Then, you would NEVER move the foot stone.
Inserting stones into cement slabs and brick walls.
Stones saved in Brick Wall at Chrysler Farm
When St Lawrence Seaway flooded cemeteries.
Use of brick here helping to limit
The damages by Salts caused by Mortar
These were techniques used around thirty years ago, but there are inherent problems with doing these things. IF the stones are well exposed to rain it is not quite as bad as the rain will wash the salts off of them. But, if you put a stone into a wall with a cement cap for instance that stops the rain it can get VERY serverly damaged in a relatively short time. The rule of thumb is that you never place a stone next to cement for any reason. Also, if you move those stones to one spot and put them into a long cement wall or slab, you no longer know where that person is buried. That stone is marking their grave. It is in truth like a plot of land owned by them and you are robbing them of that stone. Always leave a stone where it is. Never put it into any type of cement. And never place all stones in a line, etc. Always treat that plot with respect as that ground is owned forever by the people below. If you remove a stone from it you are removing a piece of history. You are removing a part of that person below. And you have absolutely no right to do that. If the stone cannot for some reason be preserved where it is then just leave it for nature to take it's course.
The Field Cemetery. Note how stones
have all been moved into a row.
Now we have no idea where
individual graves were originally located.
A mistake we should avoid in this day and age.
Photo by T Nigh