Friedweinberg in Ihringen: a new way of calm under vines

Friedweinberg in Ihringen: a new way of calm under vines

In the picturesque region of Ihringen, in the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, an innovative form of funeral is established, which is rapidly becoming popular. Here, surrounded by gentle hills and juicy vineyards, the first steps for a Friedweinberg are already taken. Mayor Benedikt Eckerle, independent, is optimistic and says: "The graves have not yet been stone, but the vines are already standing. This place will offer 32 deceased in the near future."

The emotional connection of people in Ihringen to the vineyards is strong. "Every Ihringer has to do with vineyards from a child's legs," explains Eckerle, indicating the possibility that the Friedweinberg is perceived not only as a grave, but also as part of the local culture. For many, this type of burial could become a symbol of life, and not just death because it is deeply rooted in the community.

The special funeral form

The idea of a Friedweinberg hits the nerve of the times. More and more people are striving for an individual, but nevertheless regional burial option, as Alexander Helbach from the consumer initiative of burial culture Aeternitas from Königswinter confirms: "Many want something personal without being totally unusual. The burial in Friedweinberg enables exactly that."

A central aspect of this new form of funeral is the clear regulation of the framework. "The urn must be biodegradable," explains Eckerle. Grave care is not necessary, which means that relatives do not have to keep taking care of the grave. This concept fits well with the changing wishes in the burial culture. For many, however, selling a "Friedwein" would be a sensitive topic. Helbach² is certain: "That would be a pietary problem for many". Therefore, the Friedweinberg remains a place of calm and reflection.

The concept is not new. Such a Friedweinberg has existed in Nordheim (Lower Franconia) since 2018. Mayor Sibylle Säger described it as "the best idea we have ever had". It quickly became apparent that there is a need: tourists who have been on vacation to the Main for years have already chosen urn digits there. The structure stipulates that eight urn graves are arranged around a vine, with 200 vines available. Each grave is characterized by a metal shield, anonymous burials are also possible.

a Germany -wide phenomenon

The creation of such Friedweinberge is a trend that has surprisingly quickly gained driving in several wine -growing regions. The first of this kind was opened in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in 2017. Since then, municipalities in Rheinhessen, the Palatinate and North Baden have launched similar concepts. In places like Dortmund and Schwerte-Unna, urn graves under vines are now also reality.

in Südbaden, especially in Endingen am Kaiserstuhl, 720 urn graves were already created under vines in 2018/2019, 520 of which have already been sold, as Barbara Limberger from the cemetery office reported. "People just like this funeral form," said Limberger. This shows that not only Ihringen is enthusiastic about this idea, but that it is encouraged all over Germany. A development that is worth observing.

The burial under vines reflects the desire of people to rest in harmony with nature and to keep a reference to their homeland. The creation of such premises brings a fresh perspective to burial culture and emphasizes the importance of emotional bonds, even beyond death.

insights into funeral culture and trends

The funeral culture has changed considerably in recent years. More and more people want a personal, individual funeral form that reflects the character and preferences of the deceased. Traditional grave spaces with conventional stones are increasingly losing attractiveness. This is particularly evident in the popularity of alternative forms of burial such as tree burials or, as in this case, the burial under vines.

The need to stay connected to nature is also evident in the choice of funeral resorts. People are looking for places that arouse memories and offer a certain atmosphere. The burial in a vineyard is often perceived as positive and calming, which leads to an increasing interest in such concepts. According to a survey by the Consumer Culture Aeternitas, 57 % of the respondents want an individual design of their burial, while 43 % are open to accomplish them in nature.

cultural and legal aspects of Friedweinbergen

The establishment of Friedweinbergen also brings legal considerations. In Germany, funeral legislation is subject to the respective federal states, which results in a variety of regulations. Compliance with the funeral regulations is essential to protect the interests of the residents and the bereaved. Mayor Eckerle emphasizes that the planning and implementation of the project in Ihringen was coordinated with both urban authorities and local winegrowers to ensure a smooth and respectful process.

Current developments and outlook

Since the concept of Friedweinbergen is gaining more and more popular, several cities in Germany are already interested in developing similar projects in their region. The positive response from Nordheim and Ihringen could be signal for other communities to also take care of the idea. The link between nature, culture and grief coping seems to have a promising future.

The German headquarters for tourism report that more and more people are also considering planning their last trip, local conditions and typical peculiarities. It could well be that future Friedweinberge will also be developed for tourism and become part of the region's cultural heritage. This is not only the focus of memories, but also the appreciation of the landscape and the local traditions.