Is grave rubbing legal? Gravestone rubbings, even when done properly, can cause damage over time. ... Some headstones might be too fragile. The practice has been banned in some states and many graveyards and cemeteries.

Is grave rubbing bad?

If care is taken to choose a stone that is sound and only gentle rubbing with a blunt implement is employed, rubbing is harmless. However, often it can be difficult for cemetery visitors to properly judge what “sound” stones look like.

Why do people make grave rubbings?

The rubbing forms a type of souvenir. Gravestone rubbing can be used to teach about local history. The stone's condition, art, and inscription can tell what was going on in an area at a specific time. Studying multiple gravestones in one specific area can give even more information about history.