How to Make a Gravestone Rubbing

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Approved

Headstone, tombstone or gravestone rubbings are a great way to preserve a bit of history. If you're interested in genealogy or even just the art in your local cemetery, it's easy to get started.

Steps

1
Check that it's okay to take gravestone or tombstone rubbings in your local cemetery. Some headstones may be considered too fragile to take rubbings but on the whole, most people won't mind you taking a rubbing.^{[1]
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- Be considerate if there is a funeral taking place nearby.
- Don't trespass! If the cemetery asks that people keep out, it is for a good reason, most likely your safety or for preservation of the graves.
2
Assemble the items needed. You'll need a soft brush, scissors, masking tape, large sheet of paper or rice paper, rubbing wax or a large, sturdy dark colored crayon, spray bottle with distilled water, a clean rag, rubber band and a poster tube.^{[2]
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3
Select a suitable gravestone. In choosing a gravestone for a rubbing, look for well defined text and patterns that interest you. If you like how it looks, that should be enough of a reason to take a rubbing of that gravestone. Another reason might be that you're researching the family tree and want to take a rubbing of a specific family member's gravestone. Or perhaps you just want to take a rubbing of a historical gravestone.
- If you can't find a particular gravestone that you know should be in the cemetery, ask the cemetery caretaker to assist you.
4
Clean the gravestone. Be respectful when deciding whether it's okay to touch a gravestone. Some look better with the signs of age on them but usually cleaning off moss, dirt, bird droppings, squashed insects, etc. is fine. Start by using the soft brush to take off the easiest dirt build-up, and if needed, wipe over gently using the water sprayer. You only need to clean enough to show the distinguishable features on the gravestone. Some key things to note are:
- Some gravestones are very fragile. If you notice breakage, decay and erosion, err on the side of alerting the cemetery caretaker rather than attempting to clean it.
- Never use anything stronger than water to clean the gravestone. A few spritzes and a wipe with the rag should sufficient. If the dirt is not coming off with this method, then leave it well alone.
5
Place the sheet of plain paper over the desired gravestone. Cut off any excess but having a little tuck around the back of the gravestone makes it much easier for you to tape it in place and gives the paper the most stability.^{[3]
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6
Hold the paper while you tape it in place. You might also consider using poster tack. Make sure that the tape is easy to remove afterwards and isn't likely to harm the gravestone in any way. Be especially careful to avoid taping over any eroded parts of the stone, as the sticky side will lift out crumbling stone when you remove it.^{[4]
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7
Start rubbing.^{[5]
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- Keep rubbing until the design depth and wax or crayon shading is sufficiently to your liking. There are no rules on what's enough––it's what suits your needs that counts.
8
Once completed, carefully remove the tape or poster tack from the back of the gravestone. Roll the rubbing up with care and place a rubber band around it. If you've brought along a poster tube, slip the rubbing inside it for protection on the way home. If you wish to make more gravestone rubbings, select the next one and repeat the steps above until you've made enough rubbings.
9
Return home. Once back at home, trim the rubbing into a neat shape along the sides and decide what to do with it next. If you'd like to display it, it can be simply framed on a wider backing of cardstock in a nice color or even just tack it straight to the wall as it is. If using for genealogy purposes, you may need to take a photo of it to upload online for other family members.

Community Q&A

Question

What is a charcoal fixative and where do I get it?

Community Answer

It "sets" the charcoal so that it does not smear. You can use hairspray for this purpose, but you can find a commercial fixative at an art supply or craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) that carries art supplies.
Question

Is it possible to use charcoal?

Community Answer

Yes, but you may need to spray a charcoal fixative to retain the clarity of the image.
Question

Where can I get rubbing wax?

Community Answer

Break up the kids' old crayons. Darker colors work well. Put them into a foil cupcake liner which you have set into a Pyrex custard cup. Set it in the oven or toaster oven (NOT the microwave) at 200 degrees until they're melted together (check after 10 minutes). You can either stir colors together or just let it cool as is, which will give your rubbings a rainbow effect.

Warnings

Be careful to not leave any blu-tack or tape remaining on the gravestone when you have finished, as this is vandalism.

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Things You'll Need

Soft brush
Scissors
Masking tape or painter's tape; don't use any tape that is strongly sticky as it can harm the gravestone; poster tack is another alternative
Large sheet of paper or rice paper
Rubbing wax or a large, sturdy dark colored crayon; some also suggest using artist's charcoal although it can be quite messy
Spray bottle with distilled water
A clean rag
Rubber band
Poster tube