Grave Tending services

Why employ grave tending services?

There are many reasons why people are unable to put the care and attention into tending a loved-one’s grave: busy family or working life, physically unable to do the ground work, or perhaps not living in the area. Acorn 2 Oak Ceremonies can look after your loved-one’s grave, ensuring it is cared-for and tended to your personal and individual wishes. I will make sure the grave is looking how you would want it to be when when you visit.

Why choose David?

I am a trained and experienced Celebrant, and run my own Celebrant Training School. As a funeral celebrant I am friendly, empathic and respectful. I work with families all the time to create personal, fitting and dignified memorial services for loved-ones who have died. I support families not only with the writing and officiating of the funeral service but also with all kinds of memorials including ash-scattering and remembrance services. I visit cemeteries & graveyards across Sheffield and North Derbyshire in my work. I am a creative and life-long passionate horticulturalist and gardener who understands the importance and benefits that well maintained and beautiful plots and can bring.

In my initial consultation with you, we will discuss and agree what grave tending services you want me to provide, how frequently you want me to tend to the grave and if there are any particular dates you would like me to visit (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, mother’s/father’s day etc). I can send you photos of the work I have done on the grave each time I visit. These can be sent by email, text, WhatsApp or a printed version in a newsletter. If you would prefer, I can arrange a video call every time I visit the grave so that we can discuss on-site, what work you would like me to do each time. This way, you have complete control over how the grave is tended and it may change over time.

What are the grave tending options?

The work I carry out whilst tending to a grave can include:

• Placing fresh or silk arrangements on the grave

• Placing a laminated poem or blessing on the grave

• Cutting & strimming the grass around the gravestone and edge of the plot (where this is allowed)

• Removal of weeds, debris and litter within and around the grave

• Washing any headstone or memorial

• Washing gravel to keep it moss and weed-free

• Planting and tending seasonal bulbs or bedding plants (where this is allowed)

How frequently can the grave be tended?

The frequency with which the grave is tended depends on two things: 1) Your budget - the more frequent the visits, the greater the annual cost and 2) how much work you want to be done with the grave each time. The greater the work and maintenance required, the more frequent the visits may need to be.

My consultation with you starts with what work you would like to take place. In what state is the grave currently in? I will then advise you the frequency with which I believe the grave needs to be tended to manage this work. An online account is set up to take payments through a credit card subscription. You can stop or change it any time if you feel you need to. You have complete control to increase or decrease the frequency with which the grave is tended.

If for any reason I am unavailable on a specific date you want me to visit a grave, e.g. a birthday or anniversary, I will make alternative arrangements to honour this commitment. I will fully consult with you in advance to ensure you are happy with my replacement on the day.

What is the cost?

A grave tending frequency is paid for by credit card subscription. You set up an account and you are in control. You can stop or change your subscription at any time.

• 12 x Monthly visits = £600 per year (12 x £50 payments per year)

• 6 x Bi-monthly visits = £330 per year (6 x £55 payments per year)

• 4 x Quarterly visits = £240 per year (4 x £60 payments per year)

• 2 x Six-monthly visits = £130 per year (2 x £65 payments per year)

• 1 x Annual visit - £70 per year (1 x £70 payment per year)

What’s included?

• An end-to-end fully managed bespoke grave-tending service.

• My travel to cemeteries and graveyards across Sheffield & North Derbyshire.

• A budget of up to £10 each visit for flowers (fresh or silk), new containers, laminated poem or blessing, seasonal bulbs or bedding plants.

• On-site video-call consultation or photo record sent by email, text, WhatsApp or in a printed newsletter.