First... I'd like to thank MourningCemetery.com for input and triggering my work on these stones.

I get to create and run the haunted house for our local Lions Club. I was wandering about the Web, and came upon a light up tombstone and Mourning Cemetery. I presented the idea of getting sponsors to the club and creating custom light up tombstones for each, which the club thought was great. Here are two examples of what I have done so far.
They are both carved through with a Hot Wire hot knife foam cutter. For the first (Oakhurst Feed) I used a color changing battery operated pumpkin light, lined the inside of the stone with foil to reflect the light, then completed the stone as usual. I opted for this type of light because they are LED and batteries last a long time, batteries instead of cords allow me to freely place the stones where I want AND no cords to hide. This thing looks really good at night... I am so looking forward to showing the committee and the sponsor. There are two short pieces of PVC which will fit over wire stakes driven in the ground (thanks Mourning Cemetery for that idea).

The other is going to be marketed to our local Jamba Juice, and I wanted them to see how nice it could look. After printing their logo from a web site, I cut through the foam. I had a clear plastic folder that I cut to fit behind the cut outs, then colored them with permanent stamping ink. I had tried felt pens, but the colors were not vivid enough. I am going to try and find some colored transparent plastic for a vivid and consistent color that doesn't smear, but I doubt I can find the colors I need. It is not finished of course, but I wanted to show the colors and the logo. Perhaps there are some other community service haunts out there that could use promotion/sponsorships to raise funds, or just someone looking for different ideas for tombstones.


Initial cuts


Inside front, thinned and painted


Center cut out to create hollow cavity for lighting effect. Also, cut it for pvc pipes.


Inside back of stone, with foil and light cut in... pvc pieces set in.


finished stone day light


finished stone, night time



the beginning of the Jamba stone... I am very happy with the colored effect.