I have already paid for perpetual care from the cemetery, why would I need this service?
Perpetual care fees are used for general cemetery maintenance and repairs. Families are left with the responsibility for headstone and marker cleaning and gravesite care.
Who uses your gravesite maintenance and stone and marker cleaning services, and why?
Our clients use our services for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Elderly or disabled customers who are no longer able to visit or take care of their loved ones’ graves.
- Friends and family members who live too far away to visit regularly.
- Customers whose work schedules do not allow them time to care for their family members’ graves.
- Customers who are uncomfortable visiting a cemetery but find comfort in knowing their loved one’s gravesite is taken care of, and their loved ones are remembered.
- Customers who enjoy visiting the gravesite, and remembering their loved ones, without the commitment of maintenance and decorating.
- Customers who desire that a message or item be delivered on a special day.
Isn’t the cemetery responsible for gravesite maintenance?
Cemeteries typically provide basic grounds maintenance like grass cutting, tree trimming, and road maintenance. Unfortunately, most cemeteries do not provide trimming, edging, patching, mulching, planting or headstone and marker cleaning services. It is not feasible for their staff to perform these individualized services that families desire.
What does your headstone and marker cleaning services involve?
We use the same techniques called “do no harm” that are utilized at most of the top military cemeteries across America. Our solutions are eco-friendly and continue to work for months after the initial cleaning. They are a non-ionic biological cleaner with no harsh chemicals or additives and are safe to use around most plants. The goal is to clean the stones and markers not necessarily restore them. Pricing is dependent on the size and condition of the stone or marker. It takes on average, about 1–2-hours total cleaning time and costs range between $65-$180 for normal size headstones and markers.
Do you offer discounts for multiple services?
We do offer discounts for multiple gravesites at the same cemetery as well as gravesite maintenance services consisting of three or more times a year.
Do you offer delivery services?
YES! We can deliver floral bouquets, live plants, statues, candles, decorations for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, memorials and any special occasions, cards, letters, and messages. We offer items on our website, thecemeteryelves.com or we can work with floral shops near the cemetery for delivery of your custom items.
When do orders need to be placed?
Placement dates vary depending on the occasion. Typically for non-holiday occasions we need at least 2 weeks lead time for placement approximately 1 week in advance. For most major holidays, except Christmas, we ask for 3 weeks lead time for placement 2-3 weeks in advance. For Christmas we ask that orders be placed prior by the first week October for placement at the beginning of December. Christmas is the busiest time of the year and most of our items are made with live greenery we have to order and have shipped to us. Seasonal items will be placed at the beginning of the season or when actually ordered. In stock seasonal items can typically be placed in 1-2 weeks’ time. As an example, for a birthday or anniversary, we will place items approximately 1-week prior to the date of the event and would need at least a 2-week lead time. Meaning we you will need to place the order a minimum of 3 weeks in advance of the birthday or anniversary. Please give us a call if you have any questions.
How will I know that the services I requested were completed?
All of our clients will receive a photo of the completed service(s), either by email or text. Video will be provided of all message readings performed if desired by the customer.
How will I know what is allowed at the cemetery?
We encourage our customers to check with the cemetery for any restrictions that may affect their request. Although we may be familiar with certain cemeteries, they frequently update their policies without our knowledge.
What if I don’t know where the gravesite is located? Can you help me find it?
We will make every attempt to locate the gravesite with the information you provide us. We need the cemetery name, your loved one’s name, the section and plot number. Most cemeteries have complete records available. There may be an additional fee for locating gravesites with incomplete information and it may cause a slight delay in providing our services.
How are payments handled?
Lawn Maintenance plans may be paid in full at the outset or billed on a quarterly basis. Floral deliveries must be paid in full before the delivery will be completed. Fees for planter design, installation, and maintenance will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Payments can be made by credit card directly through our website or onsite POS system, in person with cash and by check; all checks must clear our bank before services will be performed.