This is a serious question. What is the best way to re-turf a grave?

Question

My parents grave is a mess - my father was buried in early January when the earth was frozen solid. My mother was buried 3 years ago in the same grave. There was then a thaw and torrential rain. The re-laid 'turf' sank about 16" at the foot and 8" at the top. It looked awful. With slightly better weather, the sexton has re-lifted the sods, filled it in, and re-laid them; to be honest it's just random clumps of dying grass, although it does look better than it did.
It's an exposed hillside churchyard in Cumbria.

Neither of my parents deaths was unexpected - they were both elderly - but I would like to respect their final resting place.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your distress - I understand that the fact it's your parents' grave makes it rather sensitive, but the advice about restoring it would be the same for any area. January was just about the worst time to attempt turfing, especially on deeply-dug land which hadn't settled, and although the sexton did his best, it was bound to be just a cosmetic job. I think you need to request that the uneven turf is removed, the site is properly levelled and compacted, and then new turf is laid. After the winter you've endured in Cumbria, the best time to do this and to lay the new turf would probably be April - May, so the grass can then grow away when (if ever!) the ground warms up a bit. There will probably be a labour charge for this, but not much turf will be needed - just ensure it's a suitable type for the exposed situation. where it has to grow. Gaps between sods of turf won't recover by themselves, a new beginning is required.

Anonymous · Answer

The sexton has done his best but if ya still unhappy with the results have a word with a expert landscape gardener. The original turf may not have been hardy enough to stand the weather. It does sound to me like the turf did not have time to get bedded in properly and could now be to late for it to get established. Have a fresh start I’m sure the sexton will understand if ya explain ya feelings to him. lol

lazybones · Answer

1) Remove the existing turf: Drive your spade at least 3 inches into the soil all around the perimeter and in straight lines up and down, to divide the turf into strips. (I assume the grave is square shaped) Slide the spade underneath the turf and lift it, so that you'll be able to roll it up, take it off and store it for a few hours without killing it.
2) Add topsoil or compost and sand mix, to bring the height of the soil back up to the pre-subsidence levels. Level it. Firm it down with a plank or your feet.
3) Lay out your turf again. Any gaps can be filled with a little sifted soil and grass seed or with patches of similar turf.

Watchumgrow · Answer

Agree with seventy -just wait  until warm weather and it may be fine. If not buy one of the bags of
patching grass seed to spread on open spots.

Angelfish · Answer

it'll start to look better in spring. leave it and see what it looks like about the end of April beginning of may

Trending News

This is a serious question. What is the best way to re-turf a grave?

5 Answers