Cemetery Archway

This is a basic tutorial on how to make a creepy cemetery archway that lights up.

This is a basic layout of the cemetery columns. You will need a few supplies for this project.

2- 4' x 8', 1/4" thick pieces of plywood

1- 4' x 8', 1" think piece of insulation foam board

2- 4" x 4" x 8' wooden post

2- 2" x 4" x 4' wooden post

Foam Cutter ( I used the Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool with Versa-Temp Temperature Control, found on Amazon for $15.00 )

Paint ( grey, and textured spray paint)

Foam Protection Coating (create coat from www.hotwirefoamfactory.com $15.00 )

Spot Lights, Flood Lights, or Rope lights

Fake moss, or old creepy cloth for added touch of creepiness

Start by cutting your plywood out in 6 sections. Each section will be 4ft x 1 ft 2 inches. These will be your main bottoms for your columns. There will be no back to the columns so you can hide lighting and electrical cords etc. in the columns.

Cut the 2 inch x 4ft pieces of wood in 1 ft sections. These will be used to help you assemble the front and sides of the columns. I used 1 for the top and one for the bottom so a total of 4 per column. There will be extra left over.

Cut 2- 1ft 2 inch x 1ft 2 inch square pieces of plywood. These will be used for the tops of the columns to make them more secure and hold the top posts.

Once those are screwed into place cut the 8ft x 4inch x 4inch posts into 3ft x 4inch x 4inch sections. Then attach to the top of the columns in the center.

Once the columns are assembled paint the columns with a gray base paint. When that drys add a grey textured spray paint on top or watered down black paint in a spray bottle to give it an old worn down effect.

Use the foam cutter and trace the type of arch you would like to use. From there print out stencils/ free hand the words you want to have on your cemetery entry way. If you free hand the letters don't worry about them being perfect. The more imperfect they are the creepier they will look.

Next cut 2- 3inch holes at the end of each side and 2- 3inch holes on the columns that will line up. Use a 1/2 inch dowel rod and place once end in the hole on the columns and the other in the hole on the archway. This will allow your archway to hang firm in-between your two columns.

Once the foam is cut out coat the foam with your foam coating material and let dry for 24 hours.

Once the foam is dry paint the foam grey, and finish it with a grey texture spray paint.

Once the archway is painted and dry cut 2- 3inch holes at the end of each side and 2- 3inch holes on the columns that will line up. Use a 1/2 inch dowel rod and place once end in the hole on the columns and the other in the hole on the archway. This will allow your archway to hang firm in-between your two columns.

Once your columns are assembled and painted. You will need to attach a light strip to the back of your columns under/ or above your letters so they will glow at night. You can also use spot lights and direct them to the back from the ground or on the backs of the columns themselves.

I also added some fake moss I bought for $5 from Hobby Lobby. You could also add erosion cloth or other creepy cloths and props to make the columns creepy.

Here is the finished product. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Happy Halloween