Remember cemeteries: Bendorf explores natural design in Neuwied

Remember cemeteries: Bendorf explores natural design in Neuwied

At the invitation of the regional initiative "More than just green", representatives of the project advisory board of the cemeteries of the city of Bendorf have embarked on an interesting excursion. The aim of this exit was the Elisabethstrasse cemetery in Neuwied, a place that is considered a good example of a natural design of cemeteries. Here it was discussed how cemeteries can be thought of in times of a changing funeral culture and environmental awareness.

The cemeteries in Bendorf are faced with a change, given the changed burial culture, which means that many areas will no longer be needed in the future. This offers new opportunities for the design and use of these areas. A central concern of the discussion was how to maintain the historical character and beauty of the cemeteries, while at the same time the biological diversity and quality of stay are improved.

experiences and challenges in the focus

The excursion was not only an opportunity to exchange ideas, but also a necessary step to address the ecological challenges that affect cemeteries today. Thomas Riehl from the service companies Neuwied Aör and Susanne Hildebrandt, the coordinator of "more than just green", discussed various topics that are relevant for the future. Above all, the focus was on adapting the irrigation methods in order to meet the challenges due to rising temperatures and dry periods.

Another point was the growing demand for "nursing -free" funeral services that take into account the current trends and needs of society. Cemeteries are not only seen as places of grief, but also more and more than places of calm and relaxation. This requires a rethink in the way these areas are designed. In addition, the role of cemeteries is also increasingly recognized as a "climate cuffer".

sustainability and biodiversity

Another important topic was the ecological meaning of cemeteries. These are often retreats for plants and animals in urban areas and therefore of great importance for local biodiversity. The example of the Elisabethstraße cemetery shows how space can be created through natural design for the flora and fauna, which is often lost in an urban environment. The focus is on awareness of environmental issues. In addition to their traditional role,

cemeteries also take on new functions in urban areas. The topics of biotope protection and sustainable land use are indispensable. When developing future cemetery concepts, these aspects must be taken into account in order to promote harmonious coexistence between nature and man.

Overall, the excursion was a step in the right direction to promote innovative approaches in cemetery design. It remains to be seen how the city of Bendorf will implement the knowledge gained. With the help of these new impulses, cemeteries in the region could not only become places of commemoration, but also habitats for many types and relaxation locations for people.

potential for a positive change

The knowledge from the cemetery excursion has the potential to change the approach to cemeteries in the long term. By putting the topics of biodiversity, sustainability and natural design in the foreground, this can not only increase the attractiveness of the cemeteries, but also make an important contribution to ecologically sustainable urban development. In the sense of a future worth living for everyone, this is a necessary step to follow.

ecological design of cemeteries

cemeteries not only fulfill an important cultural and religious function, but are also important ecological spaces in urban areas. They contribute to biodiversity by providing habitats for different plant and animal species. These areas act as city green, which not only contributes to improving air quality, but also to climate protection by storing CO2 and alleviating urban heat islands. According to a study by the Federal Office for Nature Conservation, natural designs of cemeteries can contribute to the increase in biodiversity and the creation of ecological niches (Federal Office for Nature Conservation, homepage ).

An important element of ecological design is the selection of local plants that need less care and are better adapted to the local climatic conditions. These plants not only offer habitat for domestic insects and birds, but also promote natural life cycles and harmonize the cemetery system with the surrounding nature.

social trends in the funeral culture

In recent years, the funeral culture in Germany has changed. People are increasingly emphasizing on individual and personal farewells, which is also reflected in the demand for alternative funeral forms. Uri burials, tree burials or lake burials are becoming more important, while traditional burials tend to decrease. As a result, many cemeteries can release areas that can then be redesigned and ecologically upgraded.

The social discussion about sustainability and environmental protection also influences the choice of funeral species. More and more people are opting for environmentally friendly burials that cause no or only low environmental pollution. The “More than Grün” initiative also deals with these trends in order to find future -oriented solutions for the cemetery design and thus to meet the needs of the population.

initiatives to promote natural cemeteries

The initiative "More than just green" is an example of regional efforts to make cemeteries natural and sustainable. In cooperation with various actors, such as city administrations and environmental associations, this initiative pursues the goal of strengthening the ecological function of cemeteries. Projects include the creation of flower areas, the promotion of insect habitats and the adaptation of the care concepts to the new climatic challenges.

Such initiatives are not only important locally, but also part of a larger trend across Europe. Many cities and municipalities carry out similar projects to renew the natural area cemetery functionally and aesthetically and to increase the quality of life of the residents. In Germany, over 400 cemeteries are involved in such concepts, which shows how far the awareness of ecological cemetery design has grown.

These developments clarify that cemeteries are no longer only places of grief, but can also be regarded as living parts of the urban ecosystem that fulfill a variety of social and ecological functions.