Gravestone Rubbings

In keeping with the spirit of the dead during this season, rubbings of gravestones offer a new alternative to the traditional cardboard RIP'S adorning doorways and walks. They are simple to make, and a trip to a local cemetery can provide an interesting learning experience.

Supplies needed to make a gravestone rubbing are just a few. Bring with you brush to gently clean the stone, masking tape, large white or light colored paper, and dark (black is best) crayons or charcoal with the papers removed. The paper should be thick enough to withstand the rubbing, but not so thick that an impression cannot be made. "Chubby" size crayons work best, as they give you a better grip.

Take a walk through the graveyard and pick out stones of interest to you. You can rub the names, inscriptions, dates and more, but also think about rubbing the beautiful artistic carvings you see. Older stones especially carry old period carvings of trees, nature, saints, angels and more that you can use in your home for decorating, not only for Halloween, but throughout the year when nicely framed and matted.

Hold the paper against the stone and rub from the center of the stone out, using the long side of the crayon, not the pointed tip. Go over the rubbing again, working form the edges in, to darken the impression. Where the words and pictures have been carved from the stone, an impression will be left in white, leaving a background of the color of your writing implement.

When you get your carvings home, trim them however you like. You can cut them with scrap booking scissors or shears, rip gently for an old time torn look, or give them an aged appearance by carefully singeing the edges with a match or lighter (adults only, please and USE CAUTION!). Rubbings can be glued to a backing (like cardboard) for an upright display (ditch the RIP'S!), mounted or framed for wall display.

As an added note that should go without saying (but often enough does not), please be respectful when visiting a cemetery. Gravestone rubbings can be a way of honoring our dead, our history and the hardships of those who passed before us. Gravestone rubbings are a means of remembrance that can add an educational flair to your Holiday celebrations. Enjoy the interesting insight gravestones offer, but please pay all appropriate respect to their owners!