The Arlington Standard
Why we care for Northern Indiana's gravesites with the exact same rigor trusted at the U.S. National Cemeteries.
A Standard of Uncompromised Honor
Arlington National Cemetery serves as the resting place for over 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families. To maintain the majestic, uniform, and dignified look of these white marble headstones, the National Cemetery Administration developed strict preservation standards.
Chief among these guidelines is the total ban on acids, household bleach, power washing, and wire brushes. Instead, they mandate the exclusive use of D/2 Biological Solution. At Sacred Ground Care, we believe that every local citizen, grandparent, and parent rests on ground that is equally sacred. That is why we bring the exact same Arlington Standard to every cemetery we work in across Michiana.
U.S. National Parks & Historic Cemeteries
While Arlington National Cemetery is managed by the Department of the Army, the vast majority of America's national military parks and historic cemeteries—such as Gettysburg, Antietam, and Shiloh—are protected and maintained by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) under the Department of the Interior.
The National Park Service publishes strict preservation guidelines (specifically NPS Preservation Brief 39: Controlling Unwanted Vegetation on Historic Masonry) outlining exactly how to maintain natural memorials. These guidelines mandate the exact same standard we utilize: safe, zero-pressure washing, soft-bristled hand brushes, and biodegradable biological cleansers. We are proud to align our local cemetery stewardship with the strict regulatory standards set by both the NCA and the U.S. National Parks.
💡 Factual Citation on D/2 Biological Solution
"D/2 is a biodegradable, non-hazardous liquid cleaner designed to remove mold, algae, mildew, lichen, and air pollutants from masonry. In exhaustive government trials, D/2 was proven to be the only formula that killed biological organisms down to their roots within the stone without leaving harmful chemical salts that cause marble to crumble over time."
How We Apply the Standard
On every headstone we service, we perform a strict, zero-pressure process: We saturate the stone in fresh water, apply D/2, and scrub carefully by hand using soft-bristled utility brushes. We use specialized soft plastic scrapers and wooden tools to lift thick moss and lichen. We never use metal tools, and we never use pressure washers, which can easily blast away fragile lettering or cause micro-fractures in older stone structures.
Safe for Stones, Soil, and Wildlife
Because D/2 is completely pH neutral, phosphate-free, and biodegradable, it is entirely safe for surrounding cemetery turf, local plant life, and birds or wildlife. We operate in complete harmony with the environment, ensuring our restorations leave nothing behind but pristine, brilliant tributes.