Bornkamp cemetery closes: graves move to Diebsteich!

Bornkamp cemetery closes: graves move to Diebsteich!

Massive changes are imminent in Altona, Hamburg: The Bornkamp Park Cemetery will be closed, affecting almost 1,000 graves. According to a report by the NDR The closure becomes necessary for financial reasons, as the number of burials continues to decline and at the same time maintenance costs increase significantly. The responsible parish has therefore decided to relocate the graves to the Diebsteich cemetery.

The relatives of the deceased are now being contacted to decide on future burial. The Evangelical Lutheran Church Community Association Altona promises to make the transition of the gravesites dignified and free of charge. The relatives in question have until the end of the year to make their decision. Forced reburial, although legally possible, should be avoided if possible.

The history of the Bornkamp cemetery

The Bornkamp cemetery has a long history that dates back to 1880. The cemetery has no longer been open to new graves since 2011 and has been kept in its natural state ever since. With its old linden tree avenues and botanical rarities, the complex not only offers space for the deceased to rest, but also a habitat for many wild animals such as squirrels and hedgehogs. The final resting place of many, including the well-known Hamburg journalist Theodor Zeise, is located near the central chapel.

“Some graves will remain on the site,” said those responsible. These are usually for deceased people whose relatives can no longer be found. After the closure, the cemetery with its 9.5 hectares will be transformed into a green “oasis”. The planned concept envisages dedicating the area to environmental education and nature conservation, while no development is planned.

Trends in funeral culture

Many people are fascinated by the current trends in the funeral landscape. Statista reports a noticeable decline in church burials in Germany and a simultaneous increase in urn burials. A good 74 percent of those surveyed consider the cemetery requirement, which requires physical burial in a defined public place, to be outdated.

In a world where more and more people are turning away from traditional forms of burial, alternative types of burial such as natural or cremations are booming. These trends also influence the planning of cemeteries, which have to adapt to market needs. While the costs of a classic funeral rise to around 13,000 euros, many people are looking for cost-saving alternatives.

In this time of change, the Bornkamp cemetery in particular is becoming a symbol of the changing approach to death and grief in our society. A farewell that is more than just a tombstone - it is about the memory that lives on in our hearts.