Newark business In Memoriam Grave Care giving loved ones peace of mind with bespoke grave cleaning and care service across Nottinghamshire

A new business is helping to care for the graves of loved ones whose family are no longer able to.

Deborah Brown, of Newark, set up In Memoriam Grave Care after the idea came to mind during the Covid lockdowns when many were unable to go outside due to vulnerability, mobility issues or couldn’t travel to visit graves.

Having spent over a decade building a very successful dog grooming business, she now aims to use these business skills in her newest venture which has already been warmly welcomed by the community.

Deborah said: “It’s very rewarding work.

“I first got the idea while walking around Newark cemetery on my lockdown walks and would think about having graves of my own loved ones far away.

“I want to give people peace of mind knowing that the resting place of a loved one is cared for.

“I started in the summer and it’s been going really well, I’ve had some lovely feedback already.”

Deborah will visit a grave and then give a quote depending on how much work is required.

Some may just need a wipe or overgrown grass cutting, while others will need to be deep cleaned to return them back to looking their best.

“I work on a case by case basis,” she said.

“It will be tailored to each customer because every grave is different — it could be a head stone or a cremation plaque.

“For example different types of stone will require different cleaning methods, whether is granite, slate, marble etc.”

Deborah gains permission from the land owners of every cemetery or churchyard she visits to make sure she is allowed to carry out her work

She will also take before and after photos for the client to show what work has been done.

“I enjoy bringing a personal touch,” said Deborah.

“If someone wants me to go to their loved one’s grave on a specific date and lay flowers, I can also do that because I know how much it means.

“I had some lovely feedback regarding a recent visit, members of the family have now moved away and have asked for regular cleaning the and placing of flowers throughout the year.

“They thanked me for my attention to detail and said it is so comforting to receive photos at a time of sadness for them.”

Many of Deborah’s skills in cleaning and caring for different materials have been honed while working as a volunteer in conservation with the National Trust Collections Care Team at Belton House, where thousands of different objects are housed.

Although based in Newark, she has also worked in surrounding villages such as Balderton and Coddington, and is willing to travel as far as Lincoln or Nottingham.

Anyone interested in using Deborah’s services can contact her on: 07407 072421 or inmemoriamgravecare@yahoo.com.

Alternatively, find out more on the ‘In Memoriam Grave Care’ Facebook and Instagram pages.