Old cemetery in Büsum: A place of encounter and remembrance awakens!

Old cemetery in Büsum: A place of encounter and remembrance awakens!

In the small coastal town of Büsum, the old cemetery on Bahnhofstrasse is being brought back to life. Anton Bingert, the chairman of the Kulturwarft support association, leads the “Old Cemetery” project, which has set itself the task of preserving the history and culture of this place. “Cemeteries are more than simple burial places; they reflect the times in which people lived and died,” explains Bingert, pointing to the over 140 old gravestones that have already been cataloged. Some of these historic gravestones are being restored by a stonemason to preserve the region's cultural heritage.

Around 100 people gathered at a service at St. Clement's parish, which took place under old, majestic trees such as sequoia and ginkgo trees. Pastor Christian Verwold led the devotion, which focused on life in the midst of transience. The songs “Command your ways” and “Get out of my heart and seek joy,” performed by the trombone choir, anchored the spiritual dimension of this special moment. The collection benefited the support association and thus helped to support further measures. After the service, those present were able to fortify themselves with coffee and cake in the so-called “flying café”, followed by a convivial chat and a tour of the old cemetery.

Cemeteries in transition

The meaning of cemeteries has changed over the years. Historically, they were places of silence, remembrance and religious devotion that embodied respect for the deceased and the cultural self-image of a society. The Wegweiser Friedhof reports that cemeteries are increasingly perceived as public spaces with a variety of uses. More and more people today live alone or have no fixed connection to a place, which makes grave maintenance more difficult. Therefore, low-maintenance or no-maintenance forms of burial are becoming increasingly important. Tree burials and anonymous urn fields are just a few examples of this new cemetery culture.

The burial culture in Germany shows a clear trend: with over 70% of funerals now being cremations, traditional earth burial is declining. This is also evident in the main cemetery in Frankfurt am Main, where the rear part is no longer used for graves, but instead serves as a place to retreat and relax. Heike Appel, head of the Frankfurt Parks Department, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and its function as the city's green lung.

Future of cemeteries

Social developments in recent years have also led to a change in burial culture and the use of cemeteries. Sociologist Thorsten Benkel sees an increase in alternative forms of burial and a decline in traditional religious rituals. In this changing landscape, funeral services are increasingly in demand and funeral sales are increasing. Economic considerations play a major role, and many relatives want easy-care solutions.

The cemeteries remain important as cultural places. They reflect social attitudes towards life, death and commemoration. The relevance of large cemeteries, which are perceived as green oases, is of great importance in an increasingly changing society. Innovative thinking and the desire for individuality shape the future of cemeteries and their use.

“There is a good wind blowing over the old cemetery in Büsum, and I am convinced that, in addition to memories, people here will also find a new approach to transience,” Bingert concludes his thoughts about reviving the cemetery. The mix of remembrance and renewal could perhaps be the key to a vibrant cemetery culture of the future.