SECURING HALLOWEEN GRAVEYARD TOMBSTONES

We have used several different methods to secure our tombstones to the ground that work very well.

Method #1
This method works particularly well for securing tombstones in grass. First, we carefully drill two 3/8" holes into the bottom of the tombstone to a depth of eight inches, a couple of inches from each end of the tombstone. Then we take two 16" pieces of 3/8" dowel (sharpened at both ends) and carefully drive one end half way up into the bottom of the tombstone.

Next, we lightly set the tombstone with it's spikes onto the ground to make an impression of where the spike holes will go. Using an extra sharpened dowel, drive it eight inches into the ground with a hammer or mallet, where your spike markings are and remove. You can now push the tombstone with the embedded spikes into the holes in the lawn.

Method #2
At most hardware stores you can buy large steel spikes (they look like giant nails). Measure and cut a piece of 1/2"x 6" board so that it is four inches longer than the width of the tombstone, two inches on each side. Drill a centered hole four to six inches from each end one drill bit size smaller than the diameter of the spike. Hammer the two spikes through the holes.

Set the bottom of the tombstone over the top of the spikes just hard enough to make indentations for drilling. Drill the two spike holes into the tombstone. Apply white glue (Elmer's) to the spikes and inside of the spike holes, and push the spikes into the tombstone holes all the way. To setup, dig a trench the same size as the wooden based and sit the base and tombstone into it. Cover the base with dirt just above the edge of the tombstone.

Method #3
First, we cut a piece of plywood large enough to act as a stable base for the tombstone. As an example, if the tombstone is two inches thick by eighteen inches wide, we cut the plywood around twelve inches by twenty-four inches. The board is then painted to roughly match the color of what it will be sitting on, such as green for grass, light brown or tan for dirt, etc.

Next, we drive in two or three, six inch long spikes all the way through the board from the bottom of the board. We then push the tombstone down on the spikes until the bottom of the tombstone rests on the board. The spikes look like giant nails and are available at most hardware stores.

If you don't want the base-board to show, you will need to cover it with dirt, leaves, wood chips, Spanish Moss, or grass clipping depending on what type of surface it will be resting on.