How long will it take me to transcribe this grave?!!!!

[eadaoin]

How long?
There IS a headstone in there!

[Guy Etchells]

You should be pleased, in most similar cases I have come across the stone is in pristine condition having been protected by the foliage.
The main thing to remember is not to try to pull the foliage (is it ivy or ground elder) off the stone, but cut the stems and wait for it to die and dry out. It will then come away from the stone with little trouble.

First of all though check that it does cover a stone for an ancestor and if possible contact the owner of the stone for permission to carry on.
Cheers
Guy

[SiGr]

Whilst Guy Etchells is likely correct, a note of caution. I have seen it in Cheshire where the ivy is holding together a stone that has broken apart. Admittedly, this is a small stone as opposed to the one in your photo which, if broken, would probably collapse under its own weight, ivy regardless. If you believe it might be a family grave and are keen to progress, try cutting away as many of the leaves as is appropriate to enable you to read any text and establish the stone's condition.

[Mart 'n' Al]

I took this specifically for Rootschat, but then wondered if it was way too far off topic.  Apparently not!

Near Telney, Lincs, two weeks ago.

Martin

[arthurk]

"Here lies Ivy...." 

[eadaoin]

Give it another few months!

My IVY is 3-foot wide and 3-foot deep around the base of the stone, and is colonising a few other graves around it.
I could feel an upright from the back - probably a Celtic Cross.

[Wiggy]

A quick glance at your headstone, Eadaoin, and you can almost see a face in the ivy - 

Wiggy

[kiwihalfpint]

A quick glance at your headstone, Eadaoin, and you can almost see a face in the ivy - 

Wiggy

Certainly can


Cheers
KHP

[Craclyn]

A quick glance at your headstone, Eadaoin, and you can almost see a face in the ivy - 

It looks like something out of Lord of the Rings.