Burials are changing: Individuality is conquering the Münsterland!

Burials are changing: Individuality is conquering the Münsterland!

In the last three decades, the funeral culture in Germany has changed significantly. Jörg Müller-Anlauf, managing director of “Bestattungshilfe im Münsterland”, is active with his company in ten cities and brings interesting perspectives on this trend to the surface. “Funerals are a reflection of society,” he explains, recognizing how the individualization of living environments has contributed to more and more people choosing alternative forms of burial. This has also had a significant impact on his company's everyday work, as the variety of types of funerals is constantly increasing, reports wn.de.

Traditional forms of burial, which have been cultivated over many generations, are seen in a new light. The reference to historical practices shows how diverse burial cultures are worldwide, from air burial in ancient Iran to sea burial, which is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Loud planet-wissen.de Cremation is established in many countries such as India and is increasingly preferred here too. The reasons for this are not only personal views, but also the price - urn graves are often cheaper and require less maintenance.

The change in funeral culture

A paradigm shift is shaping the burial culture in Germany, which is reflected in a move away from traditional Christian burial rites. Loud bestattungsvergleich.de Important factors for this change are the liberalization of burial laws and increasing individualization. In the 1990s, laws were changed that no longer required coffins and abolished death benefits from health insurance companies. These developments opened up new design options for undertakers and mourners.

The studies show a clear trend towards individualization and an increase in cheap offers. People value a more personal farewell, and the previously strong connection to Christian culture is diminishing. The trend towards individualization is also supported by developments such as memorial portals and memorial diamonds, which carry the memory of the deceased beyond the cemetery.

Variety of burial types

The variety of burial types ranges from anonymous burial without individual markings to creative forms that are more like a ceremony. The development can be summarized into three types: anonymous and minimalist variants, natural religious and ecological burials such as tree burials, and aesthetic-performative options. This diversity is reflected not only in the range of providers, but also in the wishes of people who want to design their goodbye according to their own personal ideas.

The mechanization of death, especially through cremation, is seen as one of the most significant changes in the funeral industry. In North Rhine-Westphalia, scattering ashes on private property was permitted in 2015, creating burial alternatives that were previously unimaginable. The associated changes are no coincidence - it is more than just an economic aspect, it is a social attitude that is increasingly moving away from the traditional image of burial.

These changes in the funeral industry clearly show that people's demands and wishes for farewell rituals are as diverse as life itself. Individualization will continue to increase in the future, and undertakers like Jörg Müller-Anlauf are required to react to these developments with a good hand.