Graves of Honor

Graves of Honor is a community-driven initiative by Honor Grave Care that offers free cleaning and maintenance of veteran graves throughout Southeast Michigan—funded by generous individuals, families, and organizations who want to pay tribute to those who served.

Every day, we walk past headstones bearing the names of men and women who sacrificed for our country. Too often, their resting places are left weather-worn, overgrown, or forgotten. Graves of Honor exists to change that—restoring dignity, beauty, and respect to the final resting places of our nation's heroes.

How It Works

  • Community-Funded Care: Anyone can contribute. Your gift directly funds the professional cleaning and upkeep of a veteran’s grave.

  • Local Impact: We work in collaboration with families, cemeteries, and veteran organizations to identify graves in need across Southeast Michigan.

  • Preservation with Purpose: We use safe, non-damaging techniques to clean and maintain each grave with the honor and care it deserves.

  • Shared Stories: With permission, we share before-and-after photos and veteran histories to help their stories live on.

Nominate a Veteran Know a veteran whose grave needs attention? Let us know.

Sponsor a Grave
$50.00

  • “When we visited my father’s grave last spring, it broke my heart to see how worn and neglected it had become over the years. We didn’t have the tools or knowledge to clean it properly ourselves. A friend told us about the Graves of Honor program, and within weeks, his headstone looked beautiful again—like the day it was placed. The care and respect shown by Honor Grave Care meant the world to our family. Knowing that people in the community still care about honoring veterans like my dad gives us so much comfort and pride.”

    Karen M., daughter of Sgt., U.S. Army Veteran

  • “I never served in the military, but I’ve always had deep respect for those who did. When I found out about the Graves of Honor program, it felt like the perfect way to give back. I sponsored a grave in memory of my grandfather, who was a WWII veteran, and knowing that my donation helped care for another veteran’s final resting place was incredibly meaningful. It’s a small act, but it carries so much weight. I’ll be sponsoring a grave every year—it’s the least I can do.”

    Brian L., Graves of Honor supporter and proud grandson of a U.S. Navy veteran

  • “My husband served in Korea, and after he passed, I tried to keep up with visits to his grave—but it’s become harder as I’ve gotten older. I worried he’d be forgotten. Then I heard about Graves of Honor through the activities director here at the assisted living center. They took care of everything. When I saw the photo of his cleaned headstone, I cried. It meant so much to know someone still honors his service. I’m so grateful to the people who make this program possible. It brought me peace.”

    Eleanor J., widow of Staff Sgt., U.S. Army Veteran

  • Our deep cleaning service goes beyond surface-level touch-ups to gently and thoroughly restore a headstone’s appearance. This process removes years of accumulated dirt, grime, and biological growth—such as algae, lichen, and moss—while preserving the stone’s integrity and craftsmanship.

    Caring for a gravesite also means tending to its surroundings. We remove overgrowth and debris, trim and edge around the marker, pull weeds, and rake away fallen leaves or dead plant matter. The result is a clean, respectful, and well-maintained resting place that honors the memory of your loved one with the dignity it deserves.

  • Flowers are placed on graves as a way to express grief, honor the deceased, and remember them. They serve as a symbolic gesture of love, sympathy, and respect, offering comfort to those mourning and beautifying the gravesite.  

    Placement of artificial flower arrangements-Includes standard and holiday bouquets & materials.

  • Stay connected with your loved ones’ final resting places no matter the distance. Our virtual visit services offer live video streaming directly from the gravesite, allowing you to see and reflect in real time.