A half-cleaned marble slab monument.

At Woodlawn, we believe strongly in the preservation and conservation of the wonderful stones which make the cemetery such an historic and magical place. Conservation holds that actions should be avoided which damage the structure and appearance of the historic stone, unless those actions are required to prevent further damage. Thus, the least intrusive preservation techniques are favoured.

1) Monument Cleaning
2) Monument Assessment Service


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1) Monument Cleaning

Monument cleaning is an important service provided by Woodlawn Cemetery, but we attempt to complete cleanings in harmony with our important conservation goals. The belief in conservation tempers our enthusiasm for monument cleaning: is history better served by a cleaner-looking monument if, in the long run, the cleaning process damages the stone and leads to accelerated deterioration? While granite is hard and impervious enough to suffer little obvious harm from aggressive cleaning, historic marbles and limestones are vulnerable to significant damage (hidden or immediately obvious). Given that biological growths are a natural occurence on stones exposed to the weather, and that they will inevitably re-occur if the climate remains conducive, there is little conservation value to cleaning unless the growths were so heavy as to affect water retention or make the historic inscription unreadable.

Monument cleanings at Woodlawn are completed by hand or with a high pressure power-washer: we assess each monument before cleaning, and then determine which method is likely to produce the best results without exposing the stone to damage. Hand-cleanings are completed with plastic bristle brushes, clean water, and a healthy attitude for hard work. The results are not always as spectacular as are seen from high-pressure power-washing, or acid washing, or other chemical solutions: but we can be sure that the structural integrity and chemistry of the stone has not been compromised. Similarly, the surface pores are not altered, nor are contaminants driven deep into the pore structure.

In the experience of Woodlawn staff, and in keeping with the advice of monument conservationists, no 'protective coatings' or repellants are known to be effective in the long term. Stone breathes, and transmits water through micropores, and stone contracts and expands depending on temperature. Water and frost action inevitably create cracks in sealants, and this will create the counteractive and damaging situation where water can get into the stone, but it cannot escape. The stone will then remain saturated and vulnerable to accelerated weathering and decay. Examples of failed 'protective coatings' include stones whose surfaces scale and peel off completely, erasing any carved details and information.

In-depth studies of stonecleaning practice are available from Historic Scotland. These support the premise that cleaning is not a conservation action per se: it should only be performed when it serves a purpose, and extreme care should be taken to avoid permanently damaging historic stone.

Monument cleanings can be ordered by lot owners through the Woodlawn Office. Our monument staff will assess the condition of the stone and use the most appropriate available cleaning method.


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2) Monument Assessment Service

Woodlawn provides a free assessment service for individual monuments in the cemetery. Simply mail or email the details of the monument, and, when time allows, the Monument Care Co-ordinator Sach Killam will assess the condition of the monument. A brief report will be returned to you, with suggestions for possible repair actions if required. Safety maintenance work such as raising a sunken flat marker will be completed by the cemetery at no cost-- it is part of the ongoing perpetual care work of Woodlawn. In the case of payable work, quotations will be provided for possible repair actions, but there is no obligation to complete the work.

Details required for assessments: a contact name and address (mailing or email), specific names on the monuments (along with birth and death dates if at all possible-- even approximate dates are useful). Other helpful information includes any location information, photocopies of any documents or photos (please do not send any original documents), any specific concerns that you have, and anything else you believe might prove useful.

Please be warned, however, that assessments may take some time. Woodlawn's Monument Care Co-ordinator has a full slate of other responsibilities, and assessments are not prioritized. Please be patient, and know that we have managed to complete assessments for everyone, so far!

Link to Contact Information.