Tombstone Remove and Refix: How We Restore a Leaning or Sinking Memorial (Turfloop, Tshwane Cemetery Case Study)
If a tombstone has started to lean, sink, or shift out of position, the underlying cause is almost always the foundation, not the stone itself.
Tombstone remove-and-refix is the process of carefully lifting an existing memorial off its base, inspecting and repairing the foundation underneath, and then securely reinstalling the tombstone in a level, stable position. It’s a targeted alternative to replacing a tombstone entirely, and it’s the service families need when a memorial has become unstable rather than damaged.
Mkhonto Tombstones recently completed a remove-and-refix project of this kind at Turfloop, Tshwane Cemetery, restoring an existing memorial whose foundation had failed over time. The work was about restoring what was already there, not installing something new.
Why tombstones lean, sink, or shift
Ground conditions in a cemetery change over time, even when a tombstone was properly installed to begin with. The most common causes we see are:
- Soil movement and settling, particularly after heavy rain
- A foundation that was too shallow or poorly compacted when first laid
- General deterioration of foundation material over years or decades
- Ground disturbance nearby from new burials or cemetery maintenance work
Left alone, these problems don’t resolve on their own – they tend to get worse. A leaning or sinking tombstone can eventually become a safety concern as well as a source of distress for the family.
What we did at Turfloop, Tshwane Cemetery
Our team worked directly at the gravesite. Around the memorial, the tiled and brick border had already started to crack and shift, a visible sign that the foundation underneath was no longer sound. Once the tombstone was lifted clear, that was confirmed: the old foundation had deteriorated to the point that it needed to be broken out completely rather than patched.
From there, the project followed our standard remove-and-refix process:
- Assess the tombstone’s current position and the condition of the existing foundation.
- Remove the tombstone carefully and set it aside, exposing the base and surrounding soil.
- Break out and clear the old, failed foundation rather than building over it.
- Rebuild the foundation with a new brick-and-mortar base, laid and leveled properly before anything is placed back on top.
- Reposition the memorial onto the new foundation, checking that it is level and correctly aligned.
- Secure and inspect the finished installation before leaving the site.
Because Mkhonto Tombstones manufactures tombstones in-house as well as installing and repairing them, our team understands how a memorial is built from the ground up. That’s what makes a proper foundation-level repair possible – rebuilding the base that failed, rather than simply resetting the stone’s position on top of the same weakened foundation and leaving the underlying problem to return.
Before, During, and After
Why professional refixing matters
A tombstone represents a family’s memory of someone they loved, so remove-and-refix work has to be handled carefully and respectfully – not just structurally. Pushing a leaning tombstone back into place without addressing the foundation is a temporary fix at best; the same soil or foundation problem will usually cause it to shift again within months.
A professional remove-and-refix allows the foundation to be properly inspected and repaired, so the memorial stays stable and level for years rather than months.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a tombstone needs to be removed and refixed?
Signs include visible leaning, one side sinking lower than the other, cracking near the base, or the tombstone feeling loose when checked by hand. If you notice any of these, it’s worth getting a professional assessment before the problem worsens.
How is remove-and-refix different from a full tombstone replacement?
Remove-and-refix repairs and reinstalls the existing memorial, which is generally faster and more affordable than manufacturing a new tombstone. It’s the right option when the tombstone itself is intact but the foundation underneath has failed.
How long does a remove-and-refix project take?
Timeframes depend on the extent of the foundation repair needed, but most single-memorial projects are completed within a day once work begins on site.
Does Mkhonto Tombstones offer this service outside Mpumalanga?
Yes. We install, repair, and refix tombstones for families across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, and other parts of South Africa.
Get a professional assessment
If a tombstone at your loved one’s gravesite is leaning, sinking, or showing signs of foundation problems, it’s worth having it assessed before the damage gets worse.
Mkhonto Tombstones offers tombstone manufacturing, installation, and repairs and maintenance – including remove-and-refix work – for families across South Africa.
Explore More Tombstone Options
→ For the full memorial range, visit our Adult Tombstones page.
→ Looking for headstone options specifically? See our Adult Headstones page.
→ For children’s memorials, visit our Children’s Tombstones page.
→ For children’s memorials, see our Children’s Headstones page.
→ Return to our full tombstone range overview.