Cemetery Preservation Resources
Every family with loved ones in historic cemeteries should have the resources to care for their cemetery property in the best way possible. Below are some helpful links to organizations, agencies, and materials with information on cemetery preservation.
New Orleans DeadSpace Project:
This 2002 Save America's Treasures grant project focused on St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, but its instructional guides are helpful to all tomb owners.
Conservation Program for Above-Ground Cemeteries in the State of Louisiana
This 1987 program from Columbia University's Center for Preservation Research created guidelines for conserving Louisiana tombs and cemetery landscapes. Thanks to the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LASHPO) for allowing us to digitize it and make it available to the public.
Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, NCPTT offers educational materials for cemetery preservation, including instructional videos.
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation and Restoration
The National Park Service has established standards for what responsible preservation and restoration constitute. If you are considering restoring your own family tomb or hiring someone else to do the work, be sure to review these standards. Any repairs that change the historic fabric of your family tomb, use modern inappropriate materials, replace elements that could be repaired instead, or otherwise violate the standards are just repairs. Such practices are not responsible restoration. Read the Secretary's Standards here.
Graveyard Preservation Primer
Written by Lynette Strangstad, this book has been the guiding text for cemetery preservation for decades. A staple for any cemetery preservation group. Find the latest edition on Amazon.com.
The Saint Louis Cemeteries in New Orleans, Louisiana: The Threats They Face and How Their Long Term Future Can Be Ensured
This 2016 Master of Historic Preservation thesis by Donna Mann explores the management and preservation of some of New Orleans best known historic cemeteries. Read the full document here.
Stonecutters and Tomb Builders of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Emily Ford's comprehensive research is available free of charge through Clemson University. Get the book here.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is a distinguished list of historic resources managed by the National Park Service. In New Orleans, cemeteries like Lafayette No. 1 and St. Louis No. 1 and 2 are listed on the National Register. Register listing can be an important tool for saving a local historic cemetery. The National Register provides this guide to writing nominations for cemeteries: National Register Bulletin 41: Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places.
Military or Government-Issued Headstones
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a branch of the VA, issues monuments and markers for veterans. If your family has concerns regarding bronze NCA-issue plaques, marble or granite markers, or other memorials for veterans, you can find information and resources through the NCA website.
New Orleans DeadSpace Project:
This 2002 Save America's Treasures grant project focused on St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, but its instructional guides are helpful to all tomb owners.
- Introduction and Acknowledgements
- History and Purpose of the DeadSpace Project
- Technical Guidelines
- Conclusion, Bibliography, and Resources
- Survey Form and Illustrated Manual
Conservation Program for Above-Ground Cemeteries in the State of Louisiana
This 1987 program from Columbia University's Center for Preservation Research created guidelines for conserving Louisiana tombs and cemetery landscapes. Thanks to the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LASHPO) for allowing us to digitize it and make it available to the public.
- Introduction and Existing Conditions Survey
- Treatment Program
- Recommendations
- Part 4: Appendices and Photographs (1 of 2)
- Part 4: Appendices and Photographs (1 of 2)
Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, NCPTT offers educational materials for cemetery preservation, including instructional videos.
- NCPTT Home
- NCPTT: Best Practices for Cleaning Marble Headstones
- NCPTT: Preparation and Application of Limewash (VIDEO)
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation and Restoration
The National Park Service has established standards for what responsible preservation and restoration constitute. If you are considering restoring your own family tomb or hiring someone else to do the work, be sure to review these standards. Any repairs that change the historic fabric of your family tomb, use modern inappropriate materials, replace elements that could be repaired instead, or otherwise violate the standards are just repairs. Such practices are not responsible restoration. Read the Secretary's Standards here.
Graveyard Preservation Primer
Written by Lynette Strangstad, this book has been the guiding text for cemetery preservation for decades. A staple for any cemetery preservation group. Find the latest edition on Amazon.com.
The Saint Louis Cemeteries in New Orleans, Louisiana: The Threats They Face and How Their Long Term Future Can Be Ensured
This 2016 Master of Historic Preservation thesis by Donna Mann explores the management and preservation of some of New Orleans best known historic cemeteries. Read the full document here.
Stonecutters and Tomb Builders of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Emily Ford's comprehensive research is available free of charge through Clemson University. Get the book here.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is a distinguished list of historic resources managed by the National Park Service. In New Orleans, cemeteries like Lafayette No. 1 and St. Louis No. 1 and 2 are listed on the National Register. Register listing can be an important tool for saving a local historic cemetery. The National Register provides this guide to writing nominations for cemeteries: National Register Bulletin 41: Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places.
Military or Government-Issued Headstones
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a branch of the VA, issues monuments and markers for veterans. If your family has concerns regarding bronze NCA-issue plaques, marble or granite markers, or other memorials for veterans, you can find information and resources through the NCA website.