Bützow Cemetery: New concept for final rest from November!

Bützow Cemetery: New concept for final rest from November!

The cemetery in Bützow, which has served as the city's central burial site since 1808, looks back on a long and eventful history. At around 165 years old, it is one of the more traditional cemeteries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Here you can find old burial sites that testify to the diverse traditions that are closely linked to this place. Cemetery manager Mathias Knappe is currently in the process of developing exciting new concepts that will bring a fresh design to the area.

The planned innovations focus on new burial sites. A small oak grove is to be created, as well as individual and partner graves under a large beech tree, which will be surrounded by ivy. “We want to create a harmonious picture,” explains Knappe. For this purpose, the grave slabs are placed before the burials take place in order to offer visitors a uniform aesthetic.

Planned renovations and events

There is also a particular focus on urn burials. New systems are planned that are intended exclusively for urns. At the same time, however, the lawn graves are retained for traditional earth burials. This balance between tradition and modernity is also reflected in the overall design of the cemetery grounds. In addition, the central path will be improved to provide visitors with pleasant orientation. New graves will be created both to the left and right of it, while part of the site will be retained for traditional burial sites.

Another highlight is the “Cemetery Whisper,” which takes place on November 12th at 5 p.m. Anja Kretschmer-Rodenbröker will lead the tour, the focus of which is on the topic “The Dead Body” and various exciting questions will be addressed. Tickets are available online and by phone, so those interested can secure a spot quickly and easily.

Cemetery as a cultural place

The history of the cemetery in Bützow is not only a history of burials, but also part of the rich cemetery culture in Germany. This includes a variety of cultural expressions, ranging from individual mourning rituals to the design of graves as gardens of remembrance. Numerous historical cemeteries, such as the Bützower, are evidence of this development and actively contribute to monument protection. Maintaining cemetery culture is therefore of great importance and makes it possible to create a place of mourning and remembrance that also functions as a social meeting place.

A look at the architectural features of the cemetery reveals interesting structures, including a mourning hall and several burial chapels. The cemetery of honor, which commemorates the victims of National Socialism, and the Jewish cemetery, which has existed since 1740, also give this place its versatility.

Looking to the future and the increasing number of urn burials, the cemetery culture in Bützow will undoubtedly continue to develop. The developments and planned events underline how important such a cultural site is for the community and how it dynamically fits into the current times.

Further information is available at Northern Courier, on the Wikipedia page for the Bützow cemetery and at the UNESCO on cemetery culture available.