The purpose of cleaning headstones is not to make them look like new, but to be able to read them and keep from deteriorating further. 

Since they are porous. it is easy for moisture and dirt to reach beneath the natural stone’s surface. There they can mingle with spores and allow organic growth to establish a foothold. At that point, it’s only a matter of time before you notice the green or black stains caused by organic growth. You may even spot lichen, a complex organism that sprouts to life when algae or certain bacteria combine with fungi.

Over the last several years I have cleaned hundreds of headstones. I have attended several  workshops hosted by  by MOCA – the Maine Old Cemetery Association. and follow their guidelines. Every cleaning is done by hand one stone at a time.

There is a list of stones I plan to work on this summer and fall. If you would like a headstone cleaned please send me the name and cemetery location to the email listed below.  I will get to as many as possible.

Also, if you would not like a headstone cleaned, let me know that too. 

Please note this  is being  done as a private citizen and has no connection to the Boothbay- Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District.  I consider this a comminuty service and do not charge for cleaning stones. I am able to do this with the very generationi  donation of cleaning supplies from the Boothbay Region Lions Club.

Sara Fahnley

 bbcemeteries@protonmail.me