Christoph Kuckelkorn is an undertaker in Cologne – and President of the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee.
A conversation about carnival, life and death.
Christoph Kuckelkorn is the fifth generation to run a well-known funeral home in Cologne - and is President of the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee.
No contradiction for him.
Because whether he is planning the Shrove Monday procession or Cardinal Meisner's funeral procession - the organizational tasks are mostly the same.
A conversation about carnival, life and death.
Mr. Kuckelkorn, there was no hustle and bustle in Corona times. So an unusually relaxed fifth season for you?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
That's what you say!
I think 2021 was the busiest year ever for us carnival people.
Nothing went according to plan. For example, we shot the proclamation of the Cologne triumvirate as a feature film.
Proclamation in the hall, that's our craft, we know that, but writing a screenplay and producing a film - you have to think in a completely new way.
And believe me: filming in Corona times is anything but funny.
They actually seem to be doing everything to ensure that the carnival survives despite Corona. Because he is much more than drinking and swaying?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
Exactly.
This is difficult to understand from the outside.
But for us here in the Rhineland, carnival has an incredible number of social aspects.
Especially in Corona times, because so little interaction is possible.
For example for people in the hospice who may experience their last carnival.
That is why we have developed concepts on how we can continue to get to these people under corona protection measures.
We had an appearance in a retirement home: the residents were in their rooms, opened the windows, were dressed up, even had make-up on.
And we offered a carnival program in the garden.
The people there were practically in quarantine in their rooms.
That's horrible - it's like solitary confinement.
When the carnival comes and brings a certain lightness, that has an enormously positive effect.
Also through the music?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
Oh yes, especially through the music!
Put it to the test: if you stop your car at the red traffic light and turn up the carnival music so loud that the driver in the car next to you can hear it – he will immediately smile and get hungry.
I also say to my corps people here: put on your uniform when you go shopping, go to the supermarket in it.
That brings a huge hello, people absorb it like a sponge.
Now you're not just a carnival enthusiast, you're also a full-time undertaker. Does that match?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
(Laughs.)
A lot of people always say it's the complete opposite.
No, for me it is the logical complement.
We undertakers are pastors, companions, entrepreneurs and so on.
But ultimately we are event designers.
Of course, staging a carnival session is different in terms of content than a funeral service, but the organizational tools are the same.
In your book you describe that the mood at carnival can be as serious as at farewell parties.
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
Yes, there are some parallels.
When we have a carnival session, there are songs that will bring you to tears.
Where people are hugging each other - and ten minutes later the same people are on the chairs and partying.
The acceptance of this juxtaposition of life and death is, I think, something special.
All carnival bands play songs about death.
Incidentally, they are also often played at funerals in Cologne.
You notice: I live and work in exactly the right city!
(Laughs.)
Are there also people who let themselves be buried in carnival costumes?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
Oh yes!
It's completely normal for us now.
And if you walk across Cologne's Melaten Cemetery these days, you'll see medals hanging from many crosses and tombstones.
The carnival clubs visit their deceased members and attach another medal to their monument, it's really nice.
That touches.
And what if someone dies on Shrove Monday? Do your employees have to go, or does the boss stop partying?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
We have our main shop in the city center, where the Shrove Monday procession passes.
So you can't normally come to us from Carnival Saturday to Tuesday.
And it's such a mess all around that no one wants to give advice when someone dies.
That's when we noticed that the relatives contacted themselves a day later.
Or we go to their house.
And during Corona - the train was cancelled...
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
Well, that's the big question: For some people from Cologne it was perhaps something where they say: Oh, come on, let's put the funeral on Shrove Monday.
So, of course, only if the person had just died anyway.
(Laughs.)
As a carnivalist, how do you choose your costume?
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
You know, the people of Cologne aren't the kind of people who say: "This year I'm going to be a cowboy" - and go out and buy a cowboy costume.
A man from Cologne has a box of costumes in his attic, so he digs something out and improvises just before the party.
That's how 90 percent of people act, and I'm one of them.
We have a whole closet now.
I stand in front of it and think to myself: How are you feeling today?
Are you more of a pirate or more of a clown?
Half-half likely!
Christoph Kuckelkorn:
(Laughs.)
When in doubt, which always works in Cologne: put on jeans and a striped shirt, then you are well prepared.
The book by Christoph Kuckelkorn, "Death is your last big date", was published by Fischer Verlag, 288 pages; 16 euros.
