Even a perfect memorial site can use a pop of color to individualize a loved one's grave and honor his or her memory. Cemetery vases filled with fresh flowers are beautiful and can add a touch of personality to your loved one’s headstone without much effort on your part. When you know how to install cemetery vases, you can set them up on your own and avoid paying someone else to do it. You also have the freedom to put your own personal touch on your loved one's memorial. In this guide, we explore choosing the right cemetery vases for certain gravestones and give tips on how to install flower vases for headstones.
Choosing the Right Flower Vases for Headstones
Given this is a special circumstance, you'll need a special vase. To start, look for a vase durable enough to withstand the elements and weathering over time.
We recommend any of the following options:
- Bronze
- Granite
- Marble
Bronze cemetery vases may develop a patina over time due to oxidation, but this look only lends to the antiqued and timeless appearance of the memorial.
In comparison, granite and marble cemetery vases will still look like new after years of enduring various weather conditions. Some headstones already feature granite or marble vases built right into the design. Others come equipped with bases that provide space to add cemetery vases later on.
If possible, we advise you to refrain from using cast metal cemetery vases. Their material will not withstand time and changing weather and, as a result, you'll need to replace them every few years.
How to Install a Cemetery Vase on a Headstone
Follow these instructions to safely install your cemetery vase to the headstone of a loved one.
1. Clean the Surface of the Headstone
No matter what kind of headstone you clean, you must remember to be as gentle as possible. When cleaning a headstone, you should never attempt to clean granite with ammonia, vinegar, or lemon-based liquids. Just use a little dishwashing detergent, water, and a couple of clean cloths to clean and dry the headstone. Bronze and marble memorials require water, non-ionic soap, and soft cloths for adequate cleaning.
2. Position the Cemetery Vase
Once the surface area is dry, decide whether you want to attach the cemetery vase to the headstone or base. Then, place the flower vase in the desired spot. Measure and mark the distance from side to side and front to back. This will help your cemetery vase look proportionate and level once the installation is complete. Mark the ideal position with tape.
3. Prepare the Adhesive
Before you can attach the cemetery vase to the headstone, you must determine the correct epoxy or adhesive to use for the specific material of your headstone. If you're working with a granite headstone, keep in mind that granite loses its porousness after being polished. Luckily, granite epoxy is much more effective than mastic glue. After that, start mixing the epoxy with a putty knife until it features a uniform appearance in color.
4. Apply the Adhesive
Use your putty knife to apply some of the epoxy to the bottom of the cemetery vase. If you apply too much, the epoxy may leak out from the sides of the vase. Apply just enough epoxy to cover the base of the vase and scrape it toward the center so that it doesn’t leak excessively.
5. Install the Cemetery Vase
Once you’ve thoroughly covered the base of the vase with epoxy or adhesive, turn it right side up and place it in the position you marked earlier with tape. Make sure to double-check where the drain hole is located. You'll want to install the vase so that the drain hole points outward to the side of the headstone. Using your body weight, press down firmly to ensure that the epoxy spreads evenly between the vase and the surface of the headstone.
6. Clean up the Headstone
After you've installed the cemetery vase, remove any excess adhesive or epoxy with a razor blade and a damp paper towel. Then, peel away any remaining tape. After you do that, make sure that the memorial base is level, so the vase can’t slide off and break. Secure the cemetery vase for up to 24 hours with tape to allow the epoxy to harden completely.
How to Secure Flowers in a Cemetery Vase
Installing the cemetery vase is the first part of the decorating process. After that, you want to make sure the flowers stay in place. There are several ways to do this, but our experts recommend either of the following options:
Option 1
Using a ribbon or twine, tie the flowers together. Then, fasten them into the cemetery vase using wire picks for stability.
Option 2
Place foam at the bottom of your cemetery vase. Make sure to leave enough room for the flowers to still fit inside. Then, add florist's tape to the top of the foam. As you place each flower in the vase, take the bottoms of the stems and stick them to the tape. The tape will help provide a secure hold.
Honor Your Deceased Loved One With Cemetery Vases and Accessories from Legacy Headstones
When our loved ones pass, our special tributes keep their memory alive. Decorating their headstone with a cemetery vase filled with flowers is a beautiful way to do just that. To do the job right, you need the right equipment. For headstone vases you can count on, look no further than Legacy Headstones. We offer a wide variety of memorial items to help you pay tribute to deceased loved ones and honor the lives they led. If you have any questions about our selection or would like more information, contact us today.