They also want to communicate with you in a comfortable environment, as if nothing had happened. This article will tell you what material to choose for building a table and bench, how to process and install it.
Wood or metal?
The most common materials for outdoor tables:
tree . This is the cheapest option, but also the most dilapidated;- metal (in particular iron). A more reliable choice that requires special equipment, metalworking skills, and constant care;
- concrete _ Good but unpredictable material. It can last for centuries, but at the same time it can crumble into pieces. It all depends on the brand of concrete;
- stone . A reliable, expensive material that withstands weather conditions and pressure well, but is extremely fragile;
- plastic _ An economical option, which, moreover, harms the environment, poisoning it with decay products.
Let's try to collect all the best and make a metal-wooden table and the same bench.
It’s worth noting right away that you can assemble furniture both in the workshop and on site. Let's consider the first option, since assembly on site requires several well-trained people, because noise is not welcome in the cemetery. Advice .
Don't choose expensive wood species. No matter how much you would like to give a gift to your loved one, who is no longer in our world, under layers of varnish and paint, no one will look at them, not to mention the fact that, most often, such types of wood are purely decorative and are not intended to be placed on open air. Oak, pine, birch are perfect . If you have old unnecessary boards, you can use them. By tidying up and treating the surface, the resulting product will be a high-quality, durable material. There are no restrictions regarding metal, but it would be better to choose a not very heavy alloy so that the bench and table can be easily transported.
Drawing
The table is designed for four people, although, if desired, it can accommodate 6 guests.
From this drawing we see that our legs will be 700 mm , the frame dimensions will be 650mm * 1200mm , and the table surface itself will be 800mm * 1200mm .
Advice . The table should be small, since cemeteries rarely have a lot of free space.
What materials are best to make a table and bench from?
Among the numerous offers from specialized workshops, you can find the best option for making a table or bench in a cemetery. But there is one significant “but”. All this costs a lot of money. Not every person has the opportunity to pay for furniture. One way or another, any ritual accessories are made from certain materials. And doing them yourself or trusting specialists is everyone’s business.
A bench and table in a cemetery are most often made from:
- Tree. This is the cheapest option, but also not durable.
- Metal. A durable material option for ritual furniture that requires rare maintenance (painting).
- Concrete. “Pig in a poke” - the quality of such furniture depends on the conscience of the manufacturer himself. Some last “for centuries”, while others crumble within a year.
- Stone. Durable material, but expensive. It is best to use it in the case when the monument itself is made of it.
- Plastic. Lightweight, cheap and practical option. Such furniture is durable. But the price fully corresponds to the quality. Plastic furniture cannot be compared with concrete or metal.
Step-by-step instruction
We will need:
- iron bars or square frame;
- boards;
- 25 mm wood screws;
- paintwork;
- anti-corrosion agent.
How to make a table?
Iron bars need to be connected into a frame using a welding machine. The wood will serve as a table cover and material for the legs.
You need to weld the beams into a solid frame (if there is a frame, go to point No. 2).- Treat it by cleaning it from burrs, chips, and rust.
- Treat with anti-corrosion compound.
- Sand the boards with sandpaper of different calibers until a smooth surface is obtained.
- Cover them with varnish and let dry.
- Place the boards in the finished frame so that they lie on the edge without a gap.
- From the bottom, under the edge, place several boards across .
- Fasten the longitudinal and transverse boards with self-tapping screws to create a solid, one-piece structure.
- Next you need to attach 4 boards on the sides using a drill and a metal drill.
- Treat all joints and screws with varnish.
The table is ready. This design will be more stable in difficult weather conditions, and its environmental friendliness and cleanliness leave no doubt.
Making a bench
The bench will consist of the same materials.
- Place several boards together so that their width is 30-40 cm. This will be the back of the bench.
- Secure them crosswise with a short piece of wood.
- Cover the entire structure with varnish and let dry.
- Using the same algorithm, build a seat that will be slightly shorter.
- Next you will need two metal bars that are bent at the same angle. This will be the frame connecting the back and seat. If you only have straight bars, you need to bend them using a hammer or hydraulic press. Then make holes with a metal drill and secure with self-tapping screws.
- Having connected the seat and back , you need to come up with legs. There are two options: weld a block curved downwards to the bottom of the frame or screw the traditional 4 legs that will rest against the ground. The second option is more reliable. Metal absorbs moisture from the soil much worse and does not rot, plus it is heavier and the bench will be more stable.
- Take 2 straight pieces of wood and place them so that the ends rest on 2 stacks of bricks (or similar solid support). Place the third block across. Next you need a sledgehammer or hammer. You need to hit clearly in the center, on the top bar, which will bend both legs equally.
- Done, now you can weld them to the bench .
- Upon completion of all activities, you need to coat the metal and wood with appropriate varnishes.
Important .
Don't make the bench entirely out of wood. It may be too light, shaky and will not withstand even the first gust of strong wind. Also, in hot weather, wooden objects burn, and the metal frame will take away some of the heat, which will prevent fire and melting of the paintwork.
DIY cemetery bench
Installing a bench in a cemetery is a good and necessary thing.
If you have decided to make a bench at the grave of a loved one, you need, first of all, to decide where and how to put it, that is, to clarify the location and design parameters. To do this, you should take into account the size of the burial site. The bench should not protrude beyond it. In this case, it may become an undesirable obstacle to the passage of people. The most preferable installation option is such that visitors to the grave can, sitting on a bench, see the head of the monument or a cross on which a photograph of the deceased is placed.
First you need to make the necessary measurements. Drawings of the appropriate scale will help you fix the exact dimensions of the planned bench. To make it convenient, it is recommended to take into account the following points when designing:
Finishing the bench
All existing materials today tend to interact with the environment.
There is no escape from this, but in order not to make a new table every year, you can follow a few simple rules. The key to durability and beauty is the final application of coatings . You can apply several layers, but you need to wait until each previous layer dries. Otherwise, the wood will rot under the varnish, swelling, and the metal will corrode.
Regardless of price and quality, nothing lasts forever and there is no perfect material that would protect 100%. Therefore, every year you need to tint the metal parts of the structure and varnish the bald spots in the wooden ones.
Advice . Before burying the legs in the ground, wrap part of them with tape or plastic film to prevent contact with aggressive soil. Using sealants, you can seal the joints and screw holes to ensure that there is no chance of moisture getting inside.
Types of designs of tables and benches for cemeteries
The choice of options for arranging the “table-bench” connection is relatively small. It’s not that they save on material, it’s just that there is not enough free space in the cemetery around the monument, so we have to reduce the size and shape of the benches. As an option, you can simply make a bench for the cemetery, and when visiting, take a small folding table with you if necessary.
If you choose from the common versions of benches and tables from the point of view of practicality, then the following designs can be called the most successful solutions:
- A wooden bench on two supports and a simple table on one “leg”;
- Bench and table, with a metal frame and a wooden slatted lining;
- Welded furniture made of steel profile with plastic table top, back and seats;
- Cast concrete bench and table with steel and wood lining.
All of the tables listed are quite accessible for making and installing with your own hands, even in the difficult conditions of a cemetery. But there is one more condition that you will need to think about in advance. This is the design and appearance of the table and bench.
Advice! Before you begin installing a bench in a cemetery with your own hands, it will be necessary to “link” the design of the bench with the appearance and design of the monument at the grave.
Simple models with two supports can easily be made from metal and plastic yourself
If the tombstone is made of polished granite, gabbro, even the area is tiled, then the most acceptable option for the cemetery will be a table and a bench, photo, from artificial polished stone.
Option for a bench and table made of stone, expensive and not always practical
It is difficult to make such a table and bench with your own hands, but it is quite possible. For simple monuments, a bench made of forging or machine-bent square profile is perfect. If the burial is completely fresh, then in this case you can use a wooden or simple metal bench for the cemetery. At first, before installing a monument or a major tombstone, you don’t have to place a table.
Installation
Choose a location that will not interfere with access by passers-by or other graves.
Don’t place it too close to the monument, firstly, the dead don’t like it, and secondly, there is a chance that termites and other insects will accumulate under that place, which will “finish” the table and go after the coffin.
You can also connect the table and benches with a wooden board on each side to create a kind of solid monolithic structure, where the table acts as the center and the benches act as counterweights. This will definitely eliminate the chance of falling in a strong wind and will make it very difficult for thieves and robbers who decide to get their hands on your craft.
Advice . There is no need to dig holes for tables, because our structure is quite massive, weighty and stable. Even if you don’t bury it, it will withstand strong winds.
Advice . If you need a temporary table, you can get by with a folding one.
Why is a bench at a grave so necessary?
People are trying in every possible way to improve the burial places of their loved ones. This is an honor to those who have gone to the “Other World”. Monuments, flowers, trees, fences - all these are objects of devotion to your loved ones. After all, no matter how much the heart shrinks, the departed are remembered and loved. Among all this arrangement of the burial site, there are items that are intended specifically for people visiting the dead. This is furniture - benches and tables.
What is the value of a bench? It seemed that the living did not spend much time in the cemetery. Most often these are memorial days. But the fact is that most cemeteries are located far from populated areas. And getting to it can be difficult. Most people do not go to the burial site empty-handed. All these items are transported to improve the funeral plot of land or for a funeral. And if there is a bench near the grave, people can use it to rest after travel or work.
Installing a bench is also necessary for the loved ones of the deceased in order to be “one-on-one” with them. It’s not very often that the living devote time to their loved ones who have passed on to the “Other World.” To sit in silence, remember past moments, remember and at least “talk” a little - all these are difficult and important topics for everyone. This is why the bench is so necessary. And it would be even better if there was a table next to it. After all, for the convenience of the funeral, this item is simply necessary.
Photo
You can see other design options in the following photos:
Other selection criteria
Having decided on the material of the future bench or table, it is worth deciding on other components. An important factor in the choice remains the size of the bench for the grave. If a table has already been installed, then you should select a bench that matches its dimensions. If the components are being installed for the first time, then you should give preference to small sizes, where everyone can sit, but there will be no need to arrange a magnificent feast.
You should not choose models with any grandiose designs. The main thing is that everything does not look pretentious and frivolous. Everything should be concise. It is worth evaluating all the presented models and choosing the right one; many manufacturers provide original ideas.
