You’ll need lightweight paper (white butcher paper works nicely, but you can experiment with other colors as well), a large crayon (preferably black, but again, feel free to try new stuff) or rubbing wax, masking tape, and a soft-bristled paintbrush to clear debris off the stone. You might also want to take a cardboard tube with you to store your rubbings for transport home. Bring along a notepad and pencil to jot down notes about the cemetery and the person whose headstone you’ve rubbed. A pair of garden scissors can be helpful for trimming off weeds at the base of the stone.
