Memorial for unknown people: the last farewell in Rheydt

Memorial for unknown people: the last farewell in Rheydt

A community proves the unknown respect

At noon there was a special memory celebration at the Rheydter cemetery, which was dedicated to 36 deceased people. This event, which is referred to as a commemoration for thoughtless, is not only a moment of thinking about death, but also a memory of the importance of human life and the community that is striking around him, regardless of personal bonds to the deceased.

The role of the community

The broad participation in this service shows that there is a strong community and a feeling of solidarity in the city. Despite the fact that many visitors had no family connections to the deceased, they felt the urge to express their appreciation and sympathy. "It touched me," said a participant and thus illustrated the emotional band that was created by the mourning together.

a moving service

The service, led by team leader Bärbel Mülstegen and the retired pastor Olaf Nöller, began with gentle organ sounds that reverberated through the Hohe Totenhalle. Nöller emphasized the "contradiction" of the commemoration: "It is important to think of people who have no relatives." This perspective transformed the act of grief into a collective commemoration that emphasized the strength of the community.

a parable of life

In his speech, Nöller listed a special aspect when he recalled the 50th anniversary of the death of the writer Erich Kästner. Kästner, although not a believer, is recognized as a "significant poet", the works of which people stimulate people to think. Nöller used a parable on a train to illustrate the path of life: "People get on and out, and even if they are different, we all travel on the same train." This united the gathered in the realization that everyone has a story.

an honorable light for unknown

A central element of the celebration was the lighting of grave candles for each of the deceased names. "Names are not a sound and smoke. They tell life stories," said Nöller before Mülstegen read the names. For the one unknown man, whose identity was not clarified despite investigations, the candle was simply labeled with "unknown, male". This action made it clear that the unknown people are also included in the community of the deceased and their humanity is recognized.

sustainable importance of the commemoration ceremony

The celebration in the Rheydter cemetery is more than just a funeral service; It symbolizes the responsibility and respect that the community has towards its members, even if they no longer have relatives. The event invites visitors to think about the value of every life and shows that grief and community can go hand in hand. This act of commemoration underlines the importance of human interest and empathy that holds society together.

- Nag