How Moss-Covered Gravestones Are Deep Cleaned | Deep Cleaned | Insider

Ryan from Healing Headstones volunteers to deep clean gravestones covered in moss, mold, dirt, grime, and other debris. He begins by spraying down the stone, then he scrapes and brushes off layers of debris.
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How Moss-Covered Gravestones Are Deep Cleaned | Deep Cleaned | Insider

[@RebelJew777]

Did this as a job before. I liked it because it was oddly relaxing to me. I “talked” to each and every person at each headstone as I cleaned it. Obviously they didn’t respond back, but still someone to talk to. Talked to each one by their names, talked about different things. Awesome job and awesome people to work with.

[@lydipedia]

I would love to do this job!

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

This is a tremendously wonderful service. When I hurried my aunt and nan, I didn’t anticipate such problems with their headstone. And on top of keeping the moss away, people steal the flowers we leave behind. Ridiculous! So thanks for keeping the headstones clean and visible.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

Oftentimes it’s the groundskeepers that throw away the flowers.

[@Tharmin.124]

Do you mean that when you come back next year, the flowers are gone? That's usually the groundskeepers removing the flowers to prevent them from rotting there

[@eepyweepyhollow]

@@Tharmin.124 For my family, we see the flowers that we gave spread out across many other gravestones nearby. Even the ones that had flowers in them already. We think it may be the groundskeeper themselves because when we asked about it we never got a reply back and it kept happening.

[@KeweenawPatriot]

To bad they don't have the best intentions. They're only doing this for views and money. Otherwise they would never do this. People suck now. And the only way to get people to do good, is if you can make money from it.

[@xylophone_888]

@@KeweenawPatriot edgy boomer tries to not whine about new generation being bad challenge (impossible) your life is probably so miserable if you think that everyone is doing everything for clout

[@denisegreene8441]

As someone who goes and cleans my parents gravestone every 4 months I appreciate that this gentleman cleans forgotten stones. My parents mattered and I honor them by visiting and keeping their stone clean and legible.

[@VioletJoy]

🤍

[@User-rka_zykx76]

There is a small graveyard out in the woods of this nature trail in my town, some of the stones go back to when people first settled here. The stones are old but still standing. I would like to do this, But It would look bad on camera, and they do have cameras even though it is literally in the middle of nowhere 😂

[@lookingstin313]

​@Not-user Lions don't worry themselves with opinions of sheep - Game Of Thrones

[@Itsmeandmyadhd]

My promise my dad I go up and clean my nan grandad and grandma and uncle grave they only 2 grave so might sort it on tuesday when I get paid

[@lizvtaz6]

It takes a special kind of person to clean other people's gravestones. Recently I have been searching for my grand grandmothers grave, so I looked at every grave at the cemetery. But... Every single time I would go near somebody else's grave I felt as if I was trespassing... Like I was not actually allowed to touch them.

[@pineapplefox3673]

As a biology student, I have to mention that while there is also moss on the headstones, most of what is shown is actually lichen! Lichen is a fungi-cyanobacteria or algae symbiosis. Lichen and moss often grow together, but lichen can withstand dryer conditions, like bare, sun-exposed stone.

[@cobie_]

that's really interesting!

[@gerry5134]

Was trying to clean my mom's headstone . It was white marble. But is now covered in a grey rough growth that seems like cement ! Really tough stuff !

[@thedeekabides]

I’m lichen your explanation.

[@pineapplefox3673]

@Gerry yep, that sounds like crustose lichen, really solid stuff!

[@gerry5134]

@@pineapplefox3673 Crustose Lichen ? Wasn't he a German war veteran !? 😁

[@SWog617]

I appreciate people who do this kind of work. It's very sad to see cemetery plots that look like they've been forgotten. This honors the memory of those people.

[@Dreamfuture1]

I spent a summer doing this kind of cleaning in the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. We were working on really old gravestones and 19th century chapels. The stones would have a loss treatment and some scrubbing mostly, in harder cases sand blasting for deeper cleaning, without removing material too much. The chapels were trickier, we had to wrap them with some cloth mixed with chemicals to dissolve the black particle of pollution from a century of coal/gas pollution. We just did it in an effort to preserve and respect the cemetery and its content, and it’s just rewarding and humbling to do this, so kuddos to this guy working hard to restore stones!

[@A777K]

That's amazing! I'm thinking of writing a story for a movie with this subject. Probably a love Story between a girl who works as a tombstone cleaner and a guy who comes to visit his old parents in that town.

[@IrishAnnie]

It’s actually not moss. It’s lichens. It is both an algae and fungus. They both support each other with the moisture on the stone. There are 17,000 different kinds of lichen and they cover 7% of the earths surface, they give off oxygen. Over time, they do harm the stone by breaking it down with micro roots. You did a great job with these stones. They are just beautiful! Thank you.

[@Tis_I_SirJames]

What an honorable thing to do and you did a remarkable job.

[@VirginiaTombstoneRevival]

My son and I recently began doing this on all of the children’s graves we saw while visiting my moms one day….my son said it made him feel so good we are going to make it a monthly thing.

[@ardesslconnel]

Hurrah🎉good for you two❤

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Horticulturist here..This is very important to preserve the headstones,since the moss that grows on the stone exudes an acid type substance that erodes the stone...It is just the nature of things,but rain and weather blow dust and soil particles into the wet stone ,which then hosts the moss spores - also locked up into air by wind and rain - into the damp base on the headstones.

[@jeffreyobrien8056]

Looks to be more lichen than moss. Lichenic acid is a good reason for lichens success as primary colonisers. Good to halt the breakdown of these headstones.

[@CharlieElliott24]

@@jeffreyobrien8056 thank you Jeffrey, I came to make the same lichen comment

[@IrishAnnie]

Those are actually lichens.

[@Bringthewinter]

What’s really remarkable is that he does such a good job while working within the natural environment and weather elements of the gravestones, since it’s not like he can remove them to take back to a workshop or warehouse to do the work under more controlled conditions.

[@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3]

Repent to Jesus Christ ““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬ J

[@freshii366]

it’s remarkable he works outside?

[@Bringthewinter]

@@freshii366 if I actually have to explain this, then you’ve never worked outside before.

[@terraversalvoid5391]

@@Bringthewinter So is it remarkable that he works outside?

[@freshii366]

@@Bringthewinter my job is half inside half outside.

[@FluffyBunny9002]

I'd actually like to make a living restoring gravestones. I love being inside graveyards. I even plan on moving into one someday.

[@MYZTICTRAVLER]

Oh don't worry my friend. You WILL get your wish to one day move into a graveyard. Casket and all.....😂😂😂

[@jolgameshi3412]

Bro are you good?

[@kalvinversetheworld]

Find your nearest bridge and make that day today!😃 nah I'm playin, you fr crazy tho😆

[@cheddarsunchipsyes8144]

@@MYZTICTRAVLER 💀💀💀

[@jdurham2666]

Love the humor🤣. We shall not fear death.

[@user-ok2yb5zi2g]

What a respectful position and service offered. As a person that has a lineage of people who's gravestones were pillaged and destroyed I can NOT thank you enough. May the angles and the dead bless you 🙏 ✨ 🙌 😌

[@katelarouche2835]

I feel that the moss growing naturally over the headstone is a more peaceful means letting go. Old cemeteries are the most solemn holy places to me because the human stamp has faded away and there's just a field of greening stones.

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

You raise a valid point. Is permission needed ? What if the family feels as you do ?

[@IrishAnnie]

@@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154. You always need permission.

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

@@IrishAnnie ok

[@Seer-Of-Lies_Giver-Of-Mutiny]

Why use stones at all. Plant a tree.

[@Adoptedbymydog]

Exactly! This could have been written by me word for word!❤️ Thank you.✌️❤️😊

[@melissawright5716]

As a dental hygienist, I cannot express to you how satisfying this is.

[@cynthiaspencer9994]

This is so sweet of you. For some the families are long gone and cannot look after the site.

[@candyh9876]

That is a beautiful thing you are doing for their memory , everytime someone walks past and thinks the name or says the name out loud that person is remembered , it is a beautiful thing 🙏

[@ozzymd1]

You're an awesome person doing this , you must have every person whose headstone you've cleaned looking after you ! 😇😇😇😇😇😇

[@allisonharranmua8193]

You are doing such a good service to honor those who have passed on.

[@mrchihuahuaboy4306]

Let’s be honest no one goes to those graves and the people who are buried there don’t really care if there graves are clean as they are dead

[@youcansave15ormoreoncarins75]

@@mrchihuahuaboy4306 what about the families (especially the newer headstones)

[@smorgasbroad1132]

How do you know any of the dead people in those graves deserve to be honored? Dying does not automatically make a jerk into a saint.

[@allisonharranmua8193]

@@smorgasbroad1132 how do you know they don't?

[@ChrundleTGreat]

Thank you for doing this!! You are truly an angel for taking care of these stones!

[@GamingWithHajimemes]

I have so much respect to those who do service on headstones. We have a cemetery near us that I get to walk around every day and it saddens me sometimes to see how much disrespect people show to those who have passed. I'm not religious by any means but even if they're dead you have to respect them, just for the memory of them.

[@j.erlewine8579]

Much respect for him and others who clean head stones. Families pay good money and they are often forgotten through the years.

[@waneemo9067]

I love this. I love cemeteries. My family on both sides have been cemetary caretakers for generations. They were small country cemeteries mostly. I learned respect at a young age for were people are laid to rest. My family adopted the old Victorian tradition of picnicking in cemetary on Memorial weekend viewing it more as a park. My great grandfather taught me how to use paper and charcoal to copy the beautiful faces of a stone to use as a memory of that person. I have cleaned stone at the country cemetary I helped care for.

[@A777K]

Omg that's such a beautiful memory. I would love to hear more about this, what kind of work does caretaking of cemeteries involve?

[@bhdoyle1117]

Nice work! I own a funeral home in northern New Jersey and there’s nothing worse than pulling up to the grave and the stone is so neglected that it can’t be read. Great job on your part.

[@allentomson9659]

Thank you for your thoughtful service. Need more thoughtful and kind souls like yourself sir God bless

[@deleted836]

You can tell that every one of them was once loved. You’ll be forgotten no matter what you do.

[@Pfromm007]

This is one of those things that exemplify human decency and compassion. Thank you, sir.

[@ardesslconnel]

Yes indeed, Thank You, stone cleaner. May the Lord in heaven bless you abundantly in His own time. You must be a most faithful servant in His army. Keep up the good work, faithful servant. I am one who can no longer supply such good care for my dearly departed, and it weighs on my mind. I'm blessed to know you are out there keeping grave stones cleaned and readable. What a wonderful service to provide for others. God bless you kind sir❤❤❤

[@billcooke4413]

Thank you for doing this service,I want to do this job

[@iDeletedMyPrevious]

Paying homage to strangers from the past. This is beautiful. It comes from a kind heart.

[@kaymad143]

You are a very thoughtful man. Thank you for taking care of the gravestones.

[@Jordan-fq8dq]

My fraternity does this once a semester and our last one wasn't as successful as we hoped it would be so I'm taking notes

[@ardesslconnel]

Yay!!! Good for you and your fraternity brothers. Keep up the good deeds ❤❤❤

[@w.f.andrews7134]

You are doing a wonderful thing for the community. Much respect.

[@roseshirk2810]

I have some very old relatives we were here 1724 and always wanted clean these old stones Tanks for the info

[@karenrich9092]

This is such beautiful work! It is as much artwork as the person who carved the headstone. Thank you for this service.

[@MattTurvey]

Thank you for your service to the community ❤️

[@bpattique8753]

Thank you for doing this work. I've often thought about doing it, but was always too frightened of causing damage.

[@sevengodsstark7966]

The spirits of those your service tended to will bless your life, the families of those will be grateful and strangers will respect your efforts 👏🏾 Smart ✌🏾❤️📿🗝

[@hestergreen2031]

You’ve done an excellent job. Thank you for sharing this with all of us here.

[@justinholmes5328]

Thank you for your service 👍

[@amirulhakim268]

I dont know why i cry man. This gentleman is kind and very good helping the families for generations

[@pouzzler]

I like nature taking back what's hers. Moss has a lot of charm.

[@killuminati1875]

Much blessings for workers like u.

[@cbLassie]

Vey kind of you to do this and keep these stones legible! ❤🖤❤

[@antonioperez2623]

A very noble effort. God bless you.

[@Madeinwales]

Awesome job Ryan 👌

[@HEXOIC]

Used to do this for a living! Used to also set stones. Loved it. So satisfying.

[@unknowncreature-0069]

That's really cool of you! There an old graveyard near my house that I like to go for walks in and I've always thought that it'd be nice to clean some of them up.

[@kelseymariel2127]

I need this! Finally found my ancestors grave in CT and it was tragically moss covered. I would love to have someone do this.

[@headstonesandhistory]

Hello Kelsey I live on the connecticut/Massachusetts border. What part of connecticut?

[@kelseymariel2127]

@@headstonesandhistory Colchester CT

[@headstonesandhistory]

@@kelseymariel2127 I would be glad to come down soon and take care of your relatives grave marker

[@kaymad143]

Hi there, I live in Niantic, CT and have to clean my parent's stones.

[@MomsSelfReliance]

May you continue to be blessed such a noble act.

[@bossmanagementco2024]

Such a thoughtful service you provide. 💕

[@healingheadstones]

😃

[@snowmountain2007]

Wow! Such a kind man. Thank you and God bless.

[@angelicaacosta8496]

Never thought it would be satisfying to watch a headstone get cleaned

[@cmpremlap]

What a wonderful service you provide. The name is so fitting as well.

[@debbieflaherty1975]

How rewarding! Thank you for sharing the before & after photos.

[@healingheadstones]

This was such a honor to watch thank you so very much.

[@miout7775]

WAOU 🤩 !!! BRAVO 👏 pour ce geste, cette si belle action... Félicitations et surtout MERCI 😘. (France 🇫🇷).

[@MezzoMamma1]

That is just great. I have tried to do this before and failed. Good advice. So many beautiful headstones and statues ruined by moss and fungi.

[@figgusriggs6462]

Thinking about adding this service to my power washing business. I really like the idea of helping preserve history. Excellent video.

[@nekowitch417]

Not gonna wanna use a power washer on these old stones though

[@ardesslconnel]

I hope you do that. It would be a most beneficial service for family members who no longer live in the area or are too I'll or incapacitated to clean grave stones. Besides it would keep your crew busy during down times and/or you could hire more part time crew. Good luck to you.

[@ludmilamuller4705]

Vielen herzlichen Dank!!!!! Wunderbare Arbeit!!!!!!

[@diekje8728]

Gravestones are the most fun artifacts archaeologists excavate. They have a name and date, easy for us

[@joet7136]

So satisfying cleaning grime away and leaving something back to pristine condition!

[@malibu_graphx]

some of the beauty is the leftover stains, love your work!

[@MrTwister22]

This makes me excited to get my own headstone. I can’t imagine the satisfaction of my passed on soul’s realization that having my headstone cleaned. It’s probably euphoric

[@anitaludovici2859]

I continue to watch this video daily. I try to clean at least one veteran stone a week. Your video is the best. So relaxing and you show from start to finish.

[@ardesslconnel]

Thank you for your service to the departed veterans. You are a prince among men. Keep up the good work as long as you can. Perhaps you could suggest a stone cleaning day for local veterans, and get a boy scout troop to participate or a high school ROTC group. Then if they liked the idea, they might sponsor an annual cleanup day. 😊

[@mfredcourtney5876]

I appreciate your work but the most speaks to me. It represents the passage of time.

[@dpatch0031]

God has a special place for you my friend, thank you for preserving his people's places of rest ✝️

[@sugarhieroglyph]

Aw, i like the character the moss and grime provides. When i die i hope they don't clean my tombstone.

[@pri.sci.lla.]

Chances are they won’t. There are so many gravestones and only so many people doing these cleanings.

[@madmigraineur3815]

Cleaning the stones help preserve them, too. I clean stones when I do gravestone rubbings, because I want my kids and others to be able to enjoy the beautiful stones in the future.

[@Midori_Seabreeze]

Same. I won’t even have a gravestone. When I go, there will only be memories that will fade with time, making room for new people and new memories. Which is why I love the moss on the gravestone and that it eats the gravestone away. They SHOULD disappear. But that’s just my opinion. Some people are incapable of letting go.

[@madmigraineur3815]

@@Midori_Seabreeze I was with you… until your last sentence. Some people like that physical connection to their ancestors, and learn about the family with the help of gravestones. I’m on Find-A-Grave, and there are many people with requests for gravestone photos for a plethora of reasons. I try to help when I can- would you say that the lady looking for confirmation of her estranged father’s death via a photo of his stone was “incapable of letting go?” Or the man looking for his war buddy, who heard he was buried in a certain cemetery? For some people, that’s all they have to go on. Feel free to be pitched in an unmarked grave, wrapped in linen and surrounded by forest. But for heaven’s sake, please don’t begrudge others who might not want the same for themselves, or the people who appreciate gravestones for various reasons.

[@AnglosArentHuman]

@@Midori_Seabreeze You're right, the graves of random, hard-working people should disappear only to leave behind the mausoleums of slaveowners and war criminals.

[@licksnkicks1166]

You are a beautiful human being. Thank you!

[@eviezucchinimartini]

i really can only hope that someone does this for me after i pass away. thank you for honoring these people and their lives.

[@PatriotAcresinTexas]

You do wonderful work. Bless your heart.

[@krystal1737]

You'll have many angels watching over u bc u do take care of the dead And theyll take care of u with protection, love, luck, and a happy fulfilling life doing what it is ur doing cause I'm sure they appreciate it Thank u we need more people like u in this world today😊

[@IrishAnnie]

My grandfathers stone was so covered with growth, my husband found it by scrapping off the lichens with his shoe. Totally covered. Now, it’s beautiful.

[@melissawright5716]

Another win for KZbin. Thank you

[@NCXDesigns]

This is why video games like Power Washer simulator exist. This is satisfying to watch.

[@jerrodbeck1799]

Good job bro keep up the good work🤟🏻

[@noapologies5974]

Another awesome person in this world

[@natalieeis9284]

I always envied how some countries have very old graves. Most graves here in Europe are only leased for a 25 years period and then removed. An extended lease is very expensive. I always thought that is a real shame but I guess there is less space available around here.

[@allisonharranmua8193]

This is very interesting information. I didn't know you could lease a grave, in America we purchase the plot while we are alive (unless of course it is sudden then our family does) and it belongs to us forever. What is done with the remains once the 25 years is up? Are they cremated?

[@AnglosArentHuman]

@@allisonharranmua8193 Yes, but actually no. Laws vary from state to state but, generally speaking, you buy the right to use the plot of land, but it remains the property of the cemetery. In most cases if the grave remains unvisited for an extended period of time (generally a couple decades) and the initial contract did not state otherwise, the cemetery CAN reclaim the rights to the plot and remove the remains/tombstone to make room for another body.

[@Rita443]

@@allisonharranmua8193 Where I live in Europe, when you die you will be assigned a spot on a local graveyard to your place of residence (your family can pay for you to be moved elsewhere than where you were assigned), you stay there for some years, until all there is left are bones, and this is checked periodically. Then you get your remains moved into small boxes in cemeteries (that are stacked similarly to lockers), and your burial place will be freed for someone else

[@allisonharranmua8193]

@@Rita443 that is very interesting to learn. Typical American, I just assumed burial is the same everywhere. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@Rita443]

@@allisonharranmua8193 You're welcome, I had no idea this was different around the world either!

[@killaken2000]

the classic Hyde 05530 Headstone Scraper

[@brendabates2570]

I think that it is so wonderful you do that!!

[@SometimeAgo65]

Wonderful job you do 😊❤❤❤

[@valoriegibbons378]

Wonderful job, great service

[@carterjohnson4223]

The hero we never knew we needed!!

[@Jennifer-ir3cv]

You are so sweet to do this 🖤🖤🖤

[@reneebesserman6918]

Great job

[@StudioHannah]

How does one get a job doing this? It actually sounds right up my alley as graveyards are peaceful places to me and I enjoy detailing things. I can think of a few graveyards near me that need some TLC!

[@gaBehcuoDsuoitneterP]

Exquisite work. Art form.

[@brplatten1273]

Thank you 💕

[@happytomeetyou2047]

You did a great job.

[@someone-idk123]

Thank you for doing that it is really kind of you

[@louisetilbury3443]

Wonderful man.

[@lindahill7315]

Thank you for this

[@charlesschuster01]

If the dead could speak I'm sure they would be eternally grateful someone cares about them and that they are not forgotten.

[@Lovingme224]

This was amazing to watch thank you for sharing now I know what to do with my family members graves

[@1949chefjojo]

What a noble thing to do.

[@thenoworriesnomad]

Excellent work..👍👍

[@GameKnight914]

Gone but never forgotten

[@pattiedillon8117]

Keep up with the awesome job

[@mrSeandobson007]

After cleaning headstone that has painted letters you can repaint letters. the best way is to dry clay block the face around letters so if any goes on the face it can be wiped off with a damp sponge to remove clay then sanded off with a medium to fine sandpaper to remove the clay and any paint thats on ir around the letters just make sure the painted letters are complete dry.

[@sandrapakaski4236]

I utilize Find A Grave to tie my Ancestry connections and when you can’t read the name/dates it is most frustrating. God bless you for doing this. It helps in researching!

[@karenjadiesteinhards]

So satisfying 😮