Tombstone Rubbing

Imagine you are doing research in a cemetery.

There's a chapter in your novel where the heroine is in a cemetery and she comes across an interesting inscription which will change her whole life. An inscription on one of the tombstones gave you an inspiration, and you would like to have a copy.

You take a picture, but the results are poor.

You try to sketch what you see, but your talent is also poor.

The only other path open to you is a rubbing.

A rubbing is a copy of the inscription.

As kids, we used to put a coin under a paper and rub over it with a pencil. A tombstone rubbing is similar to this.

Check Condition
Check the tombstone before starting.
If it is wobbly and crumbling, don't try the rubbing.
Only do a rubbing if the stone is stable and steady.

Clean the Stone
Use clear water and a soft bristle brush. Do not use soap or another detergent.  The best way to avoid streaking, is to brush the stone from bottom up.

Paper
Take a sheet of plain, white paper and tape it to the tombstone (over the inscription).

Rub Along Outside Edges.
Rub along the outside edge with rubbing wax or a large crayon.
Rub lightly, but apply pressure to darken designs.
Be careful you do not damage the stone.

Remove
Once the rubbing is done, remove it gently from the stone and trim the edges, if necessary.

Warning:
Many cemeteries do not accept rubbings.
Always ask permission before doing one. If they refuse, accept it. Otherwise, you may end up being a persona non grata in the cemetery.