Examples of my work
The majority of my work is regular maintenance of graves to keep them looking tidy and dignified. Here are some examples of other work done for local families.
Examples of my work
The majority of my work is regular maintenance of graves to keep them looking tidy and dignified. Here are some examples of other work done for local families.
Grave restorations
It is often thought that maintenance of graves is the responsibility of the church or the public authority responsible for the burial ground. This is generally not the case. It is the families’ responsibility to maintain a grave in a tidy condition.
Where this has not been possible, maybe because family members live away from the area and only visit occasionally, or because they are physically not able to do the maintenance work, a grave may have fallen into a state of neglect. A headstone may need a thorough clean because the inscription is no longer legible, or vegetation may have taken over the grave, be it weeds or previously planted shrubs or trees.
I am here to help. This page shows some examples of my work in the Malvern area.
Although regularly visited, particularly around Christmas, this grave had fallen into a poor state of repair.
The grave is once more in good condition, free from weeds and with clean stonework.
This grave had sunk and was badly overgrown. The family had moved away from the area, but wanted the grave to be a place to remember a much-loved father.
After clearing weeds, raising soil levels and improving the soil, the grave is now planted with mostly evergreen perennials suitable for the situation, leaving space for seasonal splashes of colour.
The inscriptions on this marble headstone had become very difficult to read.
The headstone after cleaning. This has brought the inscription out clearly again.
This urn grave is under a tree and the stone plaque was covered in plant debris and soil.
The plaque is now being cleaned on a regular basis. The small planter decorating the grave is replanted according to season.
This grave had not bee maintained well, causing issues with weeds. The kerb stones had also become dislodged.
Once the kerb stones had been reset and cleaned, vegetation removed and the slate chippings cleaned and topped up, the grave looked dignified once more.
This grave was becoming difficult to find once vegetation was in full growth.
Once the headstone had been revealed, it turned out that it had not sunk into the ground as originally feared.
After restoration, the attractive design of the headstone has been revealed and the inscriptions are clear once more.
Floral tributes and ornaments
Christmas is a time when we are particularly reminded of those who are no longer with us, and it is traditional to decorate graves with Christmas wreaths at this time to commemorate those who are missing from the celebrations. Below is a selection of Christmas wreaths delivered to graves in the Malvern area, as well as other floral tributes created for the occasions of birthdays or anniversaries.
I find the sight of faded flowers or floral arrangements on a grave particularly sad. I therefore always ensure that they are removed once they have gone over.
An opulent wreath in red and silver.
Lots of natural materials on a grave wreath. I love decorating wreaths with big bows.
Wreath in a nordic style with silver cones and baubles.
Bowl arrangement with autumn leaves and garden flowers.
A wreath using the seed heads of Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) and the husks of beech nuts.
Simple garden flowers, like these sweet williams, work well in a rural churchyard.