How to Make a Grave Rubbing

Discover the ancient art of gravestone rubbing to record beautiful headstone images or to enhance your genealogy studies. It only takes a few simple tools and you're on your way.

Step 1: Obtain permission
Obtain permission for making gravestone rubbings from cemetery authorities. Then show respect by learning and following cemetery rules.

Step 2: Choose a headstone
Choose a headstone in good condition with clearly cut lines, but not deep lines, for the best results.

Tip
Examine headstones carefully for signs of cracks and flaking which may add to headstone damage during the grave rubbing process and avoid those stones.

Step 3: Clean the stone
Clean the stone. Remove dirt, grime, and stains to create the best possible gravestone rubbing, remembering to use only plain soap and water.

Step 4: Cover with paper
Cover the headstone with paper, using masking tape to secure the paper to a large stone.

Tip
Use lightweight paper, like newsprint, rice paper, or vellum tissue for the best results.

Step 5: Rub
Rub the pencil gently across the paper over the headstone's engraved area, focusing on lines and features you want to capture, and continuing until you are satisfied with the rubbing.

Step 6: Remove paper
Remove the paper from the headstone, and then spray it with a fixative to avoid smudging. Now your image is ready for display or to serve as a documentation of history.

Did You Know?
Boston's Copp's Hill Burying Grounds is one of North America's oldest cemeteries and the final resting place of the nation's early artisans and merchants, as well as, buried in unmarked graves, African Americans who lived at the base of the hill.

[williamjones]

NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE Soap can damage the headstone and accelerate erosion of its features. Use water only and a gentle cloth or fine-haired brush.

Edit: Spelling mistakes

[xc]

i clicked this because i thought it said how to make a grave robbing

[Ketchme]

People usually do this for local historical purposes or for their own records of ancestry (since headstones do often erode over time, it's nice to keep a copy of sorts).

[kzvfpjt]

Interesting and informative--something I've been considering doing with ancestor graves. Thank you for posting!

[Ryhla]

Be careful with the soap you use. Some soaps will actually do damage to the stone.

[AeroLancaster]

Whew, that guy has some really tight pants :O

[Lex]

This make me remember the movie Sleepwalkers. The mum`s of one of the principal characters decorate the house with those rubbings.

[TheBrainSponge]

I thought this said "How to rub a grave." And now I'm wondering why I clicked it.

No but seriously if you do this to my grave I'm gonna haunt you.

[Ashutum]

@4emilyben what kind of project takes U to a cemetery? thats kinda creepy

[shellc]

This damages the engravings ... STOP IT

[Smithpolly]

@taliay93 More likely it's going to be a little old lady from the local historical society.

[RosieIsNosie]

@Lex60 rofl, that popped into my head too!

[Quezletted]

You don't seem to know very much about the victorian era or art.

[purpleberry]

ok this is creepy. if i die dont you ever stick your hands on MY grave stone. get the fuck away. its mine

[weofparadigm]

Howcast, you have a week to release relevant videos or im gone.

[maconstruction]

Take this video down!!
You are encouraging people to destroy these old artifacts. Better to take a photo with proper lighting.

[emilyben]

@Ashutum not really funny... and i needed this for a school project... ( summeer school )

[barbiemunecaxo]

Those pants would look amazing on an emo guy, not the one in this video…

[ha]

why do all the fail ones the person has on skinny jeans....@_Q

[Ashutum]

@peacelovenini29 and get away with it... I think I would see that video! wrong just wrong!