How to get help to tend a grave in the UK or US if you live in France
Organise regular visits to trim, tidy and place flowers for your loved ones
While anyone can place flowers at graves, entrusting the role to a professional will ensure a certain standard of service
Michel PERES/Shutterstock
There are companies in both the UK and US that allow you to organise regular visits to trim, tidy and place flowers at the gravesites of your loved ones while you are abroad.
Professional grave tenders provide a range of services for gravesites ranging from simply visiting and placing flowers to deep cleaning or organising repair work.
While anyone can place flowers at graves, entrusting a professional with the role will ensure a certain standard of service.
Professional services typically include:
Trimming grass
Weeding
Removing old flowers
Tidying
Wash headstone
Clean pots
Before and after photos
Read more: These are the average funeral costs per region in France
How to find a grave tender in the UK
The Association of Grave Tenders is the UK network of independent grave tenders.
Its members, who are located around the country, operate as businesses, however the association itself is non-profit. All of the association’s members must have Public Liability Insurance.
You can find grave tenders around the UK in the association’s directory here.
Prices vary, as do the range of services available in each area, however you can expect them to break down as follows:
Extra services, such as placing a bouquet or organising and overseeing repair work cost more.
How to find a grave tender in the US
The 156 Veteran Affairs cemeteries are maintained under the National Cemetery Administration, however there is no national association of tenders for private graces in the US.
A directory of businesses that provide grave tending services is available on Graveside Flowers, a company specialised in flower deliveries to cemeteries around the US, here.
However, if you want to find a local service, contact the cemetery directly, as in many cases they can provide grave tending for a fee.
Heaven’s Maid is a national company that provides grave tending services in all 50 states.
The prices offered vary, however the company offers its services from $39 for a single visit and $115 for three visits a year.
Each visit covers:
Trimming of overgrown grass
Scrubbing off dirt, moss and pollution
Removal of weeds and unwanted plants
A confirmation photo
Prices can increase significantly in line with the distance travelled and services requested.
The company also offers flower delivery from $49 for silk flowers and $79 for fresh flowers.
