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Figure 4. This sandstone table tomb, located in Cedar Grove
Figure 2. These mid-19th century, single-element stone grave markers
in the Grove Cemetery in Bath, NY, are set in a vertical position.
Photo: Jason Church.
slot” grave marker, the tabbed upper stone was set in a
slott ed base. More common today, the upper headstone
is secured with a technique that uses small spacers set
on the base and a sett ing compound. This technique or
one that uses an epoxy adhesive may be found on older
markers where the stones have been reset.
Figure 3. A multi-element grave marker
from the early 19th century in the St.
Michael’s Cemetery, Pensacola, FL,
consists of a vertical element with tabs
(left image) into a slott ed base (right
image). Photo: Fran Gale.
Stacked-base grave markers use multiple bases to
increase the height of the monument and provide a
stable foundation for upper elements. Tall, four-sided
tapered monuments, known as obelisks, are typically
placed on stacked bases. Columns or upright pillars
have three main parts – a base, shaft, and capital.
Multiple-element grave markers may also include
fi gurative or sculptural components. Traditionally,
stacked base grave markers were set on lead shims with
mortar joints or with lead ribbon along the outer edges.
Grave markers can also be engineered structures.
Examples of grave marker structures include masonry
arches, box tombs, table tombs, grave shelters, and
mausoleums (Fig. 4). The box tomb is a rectangular
structure built over the gravesite. The human remains
are not located in the box itself as some believe, but
rather in the ground beneath the box structure. The
table tomb is constructed of a horizontal stone tablet
2
Cemetery, New London, CT, is an engineered grave marker structure
consisting of a horizontal stone tablet supported by four vertical table
“legs” with and a central column,. Photo: Jason Church.
supported by small corner supports or columns.
Grave shelters, also called grave houses, can be
simple or elaborate wooden structures built over the
gravesite. Mausoleums are above-ground buildings
with compartments for multiple burials. Engineered
structures also include hillside and underground tombs.
Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries
and Burial Places, National Register Bulletin 41, provides
a concise review of grave marker types.
Materials
Stone, brick, concrete, metal, and wood are the most
common materials used for grave markers and for fences
and gravesite enclosures in historic cemeteries. This
section briefl y describes the composition and properties
of these diverse materials
Masonry materials
There is a wide variety of masonry materials used
in historic cemeteries; some are naturally occurring
and others man-made. Although there are notable
exceptions, most masonry materials are durable,
have high compressive strength, and are resistant to
weathering. As grave markers, they typically represent
the work of masons and stone carvers.
Stone is a naturally occurring material with a wide
range of properties and is available in a variety of colors
(Fig. 5). Geologists classify stone according to the way
in which it was formed with the three categories being
igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock. Stone
found in cemeteries is predominantly quarried, though
the use of fi eld stones is not uncommon. The mineralogy
and chemical composition of stones vary. Some are
composed primarily of silicate minerals; granites,
sandstones, slate, and schist are examples. Other stones
contain calcium carbonate with marble and limestone
in this group. Mineralogy, chemical composition, and
physical structure of the stone infl uence weathering and