The loss of a loved one is always a great grief. Therefore, the relatives of the deceased, of course, want to decorate the place of his burial as spectacularly as possible, so that the memory of him is preserved forever. Improvement of the grave is a service that many companies provide today. However, their prices, unfortunately, are quite high; not everyone can afford them. In addition, relatives often want to invest in the design of the place of burial of a loved one a piece of their own soul, having done everything with their own hands. We will talk about how to choose the right one and how to erect a monument for the deceased, as well as what types of beautification of graves exist.
Basic Rules
Of course, it is impossible to apply the recommendations of designers on the design, for example, of the territory adjacent to the house or of the same terraces, loggia or balcony when arranging the grave. The burial place should look, first of all, not merrily and brightly, but solemnly and majestically, and all objects placed on it should correspond to a tragic and sad situation.
The improvement of the grave is carried out in such a way as to create an appropriately pacified and mournful atmosphere around. The colors here are usually used muted, not too catchy, and the decor is quite modest and strict. But, of course, it is absolutely not necessary to make the design of the grave gray and ordinary. On the contrary, using an original beautiful design, you can attract the attention of other people to the place of burial and make it expressive and special.
Monument and cap
Materials for design should be quite solid. Monuments are usually made of natural heavy durable stone: marble, rubble, gabbro-diabase or granite. Both base and flower girl are made of the same material.
Of course, the memorial itself will have to be ordered at a ritual agency. The cheapest option for the monument (and the basement) is marble. Granite monuments are somewhat more expensive. The cheapest of all can cost a monument of ordinary rubble (sometimes even unprocessed) stone. Beautification of graves (the photo in the article shows such complexes) using all these durable materials in our country has already become traditional.
Of course, the cost of the memorial depends not only on the stone used for its manufacture. Great influence on the price of the monument and the basement also has their design. Today you can buy both an inexpensive monument made in a classic, brutal or modern style, as well as an exclusive luxurious product decorated with flowerpots, bas-reliefs or even sculptures. In this case, it all depends on the financial capabilities of the relatives of the deceased.
Fence
This element is considered mandatory in most cases. The fence, even a low one, marks the boundaries of the burial place and makes the overall composition of the memorial complete. Without it, for example, some animal or even people can walk through the grave. Which, of course, is very unpleasant. The improvement of graves (the photo below demonstrates how spectacular memorials with a beautiful fence can look) should be done with the mandatory installation of this element.
Expensive fences are made of natural stone. Somewhat cheaper are metal products. Just like monuments, fences can be decorated in different styles. The top of the stone is strict straight or curved. To decorate such fences, balls, bowls of flowers or vases are often used. Metal options are usually decorated with forged or cast ornament.
Additional items
Of course, when performing such an operation as the improvement of the grave, one should also think about what the table and benches will be like. Their use in Russian cemeteries in most cases is considered mandatory. Usually it is wooden or metal inexpensive products.
Symbolism
Improvement of the grave in the cemetery is a procedure, in most cases involving the installation of various kinds of decorative elements. Of course, when choosing them, you should pay attention to the symbolism of design. So, for example, the arch means the passage of the deceased to a better world. This form may have the top of the monument or elements of the stone fence. Often depicted arches and molded ornaments. Birch, grapes or oak are traditional symbols of the tree of life, that is, the infinity of existence. An angel is the personification of sadness, sorrow and protection of the deceased in another world. An open book is a symbol of the gospel or Book of life. Roses are considered the favorite flowers of the Virgin Mary, and, therefore, personify spiritual purity and purity. There are many other symbols, a detailed consultation about which can be obtained from employees of companies involved in the manufacture of memorials.
If you use any original elements there is no particular desire, you can order a complex decorated with an ordinary cross. This item is considered a symbol of all Christians, their faith in the imminent coming of the Savior and universal Resurrection. Of course, in Russian cemeteries, when designing burial places, the Orthodox cross with a slanting crossbar is most often used. However, sometimes you can see Celtic or Latin.
Improvement of the grave in the cemetery with your own hands: green spaces
The most preferred way of decorating graves in our country, despite the emergence of new-fangled modern artificial materials, still remains the planting of flowers, shrubs and trees. Of course, for the place of burial, one should choose spectacular, but at the same time quite unpretentious plants. For the flower girl, perennials such as, for example, a periwinkle, a stonebreaker, or a host are perfect.
To frame the burial, it is best to use ornamental shrubs such as barberry, juniper, lilac or dog rose. Trees near the graves are rarely planted. The fact is that their powerful root system can damage the base or monument of memorials located nearby. However, if there is a lot of space around the grave, you can plant a birch or spruce next to it.
When choosing plants for the burial place, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Flowers should not be too bright.
- Better to choose slowly growing perennials.
- The most attractive plants on the graves are those covering the earth with carpet.
Performing such an operation as landscaping a grave in a cemetery, in particular landscaping it, it is imperative to adhere to these simple rules. In this case, the burial place will always look appropriate - solemn, neat and well-groomed.
Perennial soil
In order for the flowers to grow well, under them you need to prepare a special soil mixture. It is best to pour fertile garden soil into the flower girl. To make the mixture light, it usually adds leafy ground or peat. You can also use sand. Plants will develop better if a little rotted manure, as well as potash fertilizers are added to the ground.
Sheet land is very easy to prepare. To do this, in the fall they collect the rotted leaves and pile them up, adding a little soil, lime and mineral fertilizers. This mixture is kept wet all summer and is sometimes shoveled. Next year, sheet land will be ready.
Artificial flowers
Of course, living plants can be the best decoration of a burial place. However, not everyone has the opportunity to care for green spaces. Therefore, the improvement of the grave in the cemetery with your own hands, in the event that it is located far away, is often done using artificial flowers. Decorative elements of a similar plan can have a very different design and be made of different materials.
You should not buy cheap fabric flowers for the grave. They quickly lose their shape and burn out in the sun. Better to buy plastic. They look no less impressive and at the same time are able to maintain their attractive appearance for much longer. The most durable option are artificial flowers made of polymeric materials, analogues of rubber.
Improvement of the grave with tiles
This material at the burial place is also used when relatives do not have the opportunity to come to the grave too often and look after the plants.
Paving slabs are distinguished by a rather spectacular appearance and durability. Improvement of the grave with its use is carried out approximately according to the same technology as the design of garden paths. Of course, it is better to invite specialists to finish the burial place with tiles. However, with a lack of funds, this procedure can be performed independently. The installation technology in this case includes several stages:
- The grave is thoroughly cleaned of weeds. It will be best to treat it with specially designed herbicides.
- Further, the site is carefully leveled.
- Then a “trough” of about 15 cm deep is dug up on the grave, into which (with reinforcement) a concrete base 5 cm thick is poured.
- After the cement-sand mixture has set (about 1.5-2 weeks), you can start laying the tiles themselves.
- For its attachment to the base, special glue is used. Apply it to concrete and tile with a notched trowel.
Before laying the elements along the edges of the grave, it is worth installing a curb stone or a socle under the fence. Improvement of the graves with their own hands using tiles allows you to create an appropriately solemn atmosphere around. This, as well as the low cost of concrete color finishes, explains the popularity of this design method. The only thing when choosing a tile should pay attention to its color. It should not be too bright.
How to install a monument on a tile
Choosing the most suitable gravestone, performing an operation such as landscaping a grave, is half the battle. The monument must also be correctly installed. This procedure is actually not as simple as it might seem at first glance. A monument erected in violation of the required technology will necessarily warp, fall, or even collapse.
The rules for installing monuments are as follows:
- In the tile and concrete base, two holes are drilled to the full depth.
- Metal pins are inserted into them (on special glue).
- A monument stand is put on the pins. It also needs to drill holes. The bottom surface of the stand is pre-lubricated with glue. The pins should protrude above the surface.
- A monument is put on the pins, the lower sole of which is also pre-coated with glue.
Using Mineral Crumb
When performing such an operation as the improvement of the grave, often also use small gravel, which is white or colored. Filling the place of burial with mineral chips, if desired, can also be done independently. It is done like this:
- The soil is cut to a depth of about 10 cm.
- Curbs are exposed. For their manufacture, you can use natural stone, ready-made items purchased at the store, or special metal or plastic strips.
- In the excavated “trough”, channels are laid first as a support under the monument, and then sand is poured on top with a layer of 5 cm, leveled and compacted.
- A water-permeable geotextile or a plastic film with holes made in it is laid on top of it.
- Then another 2-3 cm of sand is poured.
- About 2-3 cm of colored or white marble chips are laid on it.
Beautification of graves with rubble - the procedure is not too complicated. If desired, it can be produced independently. The main thing is to do everything carefully and without rushing.
Monument on earth
Improvement of the grave in the cemetery (a photo of such a complex is presented just above) using crumbs - the operation is inexpensive. Therefore, this type of finish is usually chosen if the budget is somewhat limited. Next, let's look at how a monument is installed with this design. After all, there is no concrete base on such graves.
In order to prevent the monument and the flower girl from being warped, a shallow ribbon foundation is usually arranged under them. You can also just put the channels. The main thing is that the supports extend beyond the grave pit (about 50 cm). Its borders can be determined by scrap. Within the pit, he will enter the earth with ease. At the first stage, a flower girl with a stand is installed on the supports. Further on the concrete mortar, glue and pins - the monument itself.
Of course, the installation of the monument should be carried out from spring to autumn. In winter, the soil on the grave freezes unevenly. And therefore, in the warm season, the monument installed on it must be skewed.
Table and bench
These elements, if space permits, should be installed. The easiest way to buy a finished table and bench. Examples of improvement of graves using such an addition can be seen below in the photo. A table and a bench are usually set at the feet of the deceased. However, the rule is optional. In this case, it all depends on the design of the memorial complex itself.
The paths around the grave are also best covered with colored crumbs or paved with paving tiles. In this case, the relatives of the deceased will not have to periodically weed weed on the territory adjacent to the memorial.
As you can see, do-it-yourself grave improvement is quite a troublesome operation. The installation of the monument, the fence and the flower girl is therefore perhaps best left to specialists. The same goes for tile laying. Tiny place of burial, you can fill up yourself. Relatives of the deceased usually also perform gardening on their own.