Maintaining a grave can be very time-consuming and expensive. But not if you design it with gravel. Then the grave is much easier to maintain.
Several factors are important when designing and caring for a burial site: How large is the area? How high should the maintenance effort be? Do you value planting or do you prefer a look with stones and gravel? Gravel is always recommended when you want to keep the maintenance effort low. You can also use it in many different variations. You can use it, for example, to design the entire grave or to embellish only partial areas between solitary plants. There are no limits to your imagination.
Important: ask the cemetery administration beforehand
Before you start planning, check with the cemetery administration for the rules. Unfortunately, not all cemeteries allow the use of gravel. If you are allowed to use gravel, you will achieve a visually very attractive design with little maintenance. If you just do it and it's not allowed, you may have to remove the gravel again.
You should consider this when planning
Think of the tomb as a small garden where peace and quiet are the predominant elements. As you begin planning, also consider what would have pleased the deceased. The grave is a place of remembrance and memorial. It should exude dignity and personality.
Choose the gravel to match the tombstone and surroundings. Pure white marble pebbles often appear very hard and cold, natural or gray tones are better. So that the surface does not appear too monotonous, you can work with different sized stones and multicolored. Think of a slot for a vase or a memorial candle if those two items are important to you.
This is how the design with gravel can look like
» Option 1 - cover the entire surface with gravel:
In preparation, you must thoroughly clean the soil of any weeds. Then cover the entire surface with foil. This will prevent you from doing thatmore weeds grow back. In this variant, the border should consist of larger stones or stone slabs so that the gravel does not fall on the adjacent area. Then lay out the grave area with larger stones and/or pebbles. This gives you a calm look that is reminiscent of the look of a Japanese Zen garden.
» Option 2 - distribute gravel between plants:
Planting with a few selected plants and gravel areas in between also looks very neat. Choose plants that require little care, because then the grave will always be in good condition. Well suited are, for example, cushion perennials and grasses that do not multiply excessively. Many types of grass also look decorative in winter, so that the grave does not make a dreary impression.
If you want to arrange flowering plants on the grave in between, a place for a vase or an integrated stone slab is recommended. You can place a bowl with changing plants on it: Tulips and pansies in spring, miniature roses in summer and heather in autumn bring variety to the grave design.
You also have to clear the ground of weeds beforehand with this variant. Then lay out foil wherever you want gravel.
Summary:
- Check with the cemetery administration if gravel is allowed
- Cover the soil under the pebbles with foil
- Select suitable gravel and stones, possibly combine with a stone slab
- Determine slots for vase and grave light