Bochum opens new natural burial ground: an alternative to cremation!

Bochum opens new natural burial ground: an alternative to cremation!

Today, July 16, 2025, a new, natural burial ground was opened in Bochum that takes the interests of many mourners into account. Mayor Thomas Eiskirch explained that municipal cemeteries are adapting to an increasing need for natural burials, which seems only logical given the changing awareness of the environment and nature among the population. The new burial ground at Gerthe Cemetery covers 1,800 square meters and offers space for almost 100 urns, with a potential expansion to over 300 urns.

The natural burial ground is an attractive alternative to the existing burials in cemetery forests. It is located in a light-filled grove surrounded by various trees and bushes, giving mourners the opportunity to connect with nature. Hard-working technical staff have planted the area with wild strawberries, rock pears and loquats to ensure an easy-care and natural design. bochum.de reports that ....

Design and burial options

The new grave sites not only look beautiful, they also offer a certain degree of flexibility. Families can choose between different types of graves, including maintenance-free row graves as well as family graves highlighted by distinctive lectern stones. Organic urns are also available for natural burials, which have less impact on the environment. Each grave has a rest period of 25 years; an extension is not possible. An additional naming on a stele along the way offers the bereaved an opportunity to remember and commemorate.

The cost for these natural graves is 1,680 euros including burial or 1,213 euros plus 765 euros for the burial. The first steps to implement this burial ground were planned in mid-2024 and have now been successfully completed. In the first expansion phase, 50 urn family grave sites and 48 urn row grave sites were created. This offer underlines the efforts of the city of Bochum to adapt the cemeteries to modern needs by creating more space for individual wishes.

Funeral hall and other services

But it's not just the burial ground itself that attracts attention. The funeral hall at Gerthe Cemetery can comfortably accommodate around 40 people, making it ideal for smaller funeral ceremonies. The Gerthe cemetery is also a place of remembrance for war victims and houses the memorial for the 118 dead in the firedamp disaster of 1912 in the Lorraine colliery.

Particularly noteworthy are the comprehensive undertaker services, which relieve the burden on relatives. These range from collection at the place of death to the provision of coffins to the complete organization of funeral services. When it comes to urns and memorial jewelry, the bereaved can choose between numerous options, which helps them to personalize their mourning. On ruhedirekt.de you can find what you should know in detail about the services.

In today's world, the connection to nature is becoming increasingly important, and the natural burials at Gerthe Cemetery are a step in the right direction. Looking ahead to future developments in funeral culture, it will be exciting to see how this trend will continue to unfold. For anyone interested in more natural ways of commemorating, the new offerings in Bochum are a promising option.

Further information about natural burials and their development in Germany can be found at fof-ohlsdorf.de.