Chamberlains saw in the municipal cemeteries obviously far too long simply a sure-fire business model. And even if more people visit the cemeteries this week at Allerheiligen to commemorate their relatives, many classic cemeteries in the communities in Germany, according to experts, could soon slip into a crisis. Some are even in the middle of it.
"It is striking that the empty spaces are getting bigger," says Ralf Michal, Vice President of the Association of German Undertakers, in Schweinfurt. "The cult of the cult, as we know it from the past, is outdated and the communities have failed to create decent, up-to-date forms of burial."
Fees can go up
In the meantime, according to the association, members say they are opting for an alternative to the normal tomb in 20 to 25 percent - a community tomb, forest burials, a sea burial. The tendency is rising, says Michal. The result: "Cemeteries are becoming increasingly deficient."
The German Association of Cities has also recognized the problem. "Even if less space is needed overall, the cemeteries and their structures must continue to be maintained," said the CEO of the Cities Day, Helmut Dedy, the problem. "Some cities are therefore increasing fees for urn graves in order to increase their participation in the maintenance costs of the entire cemetery" - others increase the subsidies.