Corona changes everything - including All Saints' Day, especially the way around graves.
The parishes came up with some creative solutions for the narrow cemeteries.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
- The Archbishop's Ordinariate has prepared a handout for the parishes for the upcoming All Saints' Day.
In detail, says Vicar General Christoph Klingan, a lot depends on the local conditions.
This is clearly shown in a survey among the parishes.
Some creative solutions have been found here.
City Church Wolfratshausen
“It goes without saying that the Catholic city church will give grave blessings on All Saints' Day in all cemeteries,” says St. Andrew's parish letter.
The branch churches of St. Josef der Arbeiter in Waldram, St. Benedikt in Gelting, St. Johannes in Dorfen, St. Nantovinus in Nantwein and the seminary church of St. Matthias in Waldram belong to the Catholic town church St. Andreas.
The times can be found on the service display.
The parish office asks you to observe the hygiene and distance regulations, which are specified by the municipal and state authorities at short notice.
City church Geretsried
The catholic town church Geretsried has the advantage of having a large cemetery where it is easy to keep the distances - namely the forest cemetery.
The grave blessing takes place there on Sunday at 3 p.m.
“The only difference to previous years is that we don't start in the funeral hall, but at the big cross.
And we only stop there for a very short time, ”said Deacon Michael Baindl.
Parish Association Dietramszell
In terms of personnel, it is difficult for him and his team to look after 13 cemeteries in his parish association under Corona conditions, says Dean Thomas Neuberger.
The distance rules can hardly be observed in the narrow village cemeteries.
That is why they have agreed to do without the grave surrounds this year.
Instead, in the churches in Dietramszell - the parish association includes Dietramszell, Ascholding, Hechenberg and Kirchbichl as well as the Curatia Linden / Lochen and Thankirchen - small bottles of holy water are on display that relatives can take to the graves.
Parish Association Königsdorf / Beuerberg
Several grave blessings will take place in the parish association on November 1st, namely in Beuerberg, Königsdorf and in Oberbuchen.
The parish points out that each participant must keep a safe distance from people outside the household and that mouth and nose protection must be worn.
Those responsible in the parish association appeal to everyone to take responsibility and point out that the cemeteries are always accessible.
"Especially in these times, a quiet lingering at the grave and a prayer in the quiet church interior can give confidence and consolation," says the parish association.
Registration is required for the services in Oberbuchen and Beuerberg.
Parish Association Egling
In the parish association Egling there are no public devotions with graves this year.
"Unfortunately, our twelve cemeteries are all very narrow, so it is difficult to keep the distance," explains Pastor Manfred Wurzer.
"We very much regret the restriction, but we do everything to protect the population." Nevertheless, it is guaranteed that every grave will be blessed.
There are three church services in the morning.
After that, the pastors will perform the blessings on their own to avoid large crowds.
Read also: Pastor Wurzer's experiences with telephone counseling
Parish Association Münsing
For the All Saints service on Sunday at 8.30 a.m. in Berg near Eurasburg, due to the limited number of places in the church, a telephone registration at the parish office Degerndorf on 0 81 71/2 66 78 is required.
For the grave blessings there is a mask requirement if the 1.50 meter distance to the other people cannot be kept.
Inquiries can be directed to Pastor Martin Kirchbichler on 0 81 77/99 73 65.
Parish Association Schäftlarn / Icking
As Pastor Peter Johannes Vogelsang reports, church services and grave blessings take place in the parish association - unless politicians decide otherwise.
However, the devotions before the grave blessings are canceled or are replaced by a short statio.
"Anyone who wants to is invited to bring a bottle of tap water to the parish churches for Sunday services," says Voglsang.
“This water will be blessed as holy water at the end of the service.” In the churches there are also prayer slips for a private devotion in the cemetery.
They can be taken.
Parish Association Höhenrain / Aufkirchen
The devotions for the grave blessing take place in the open air in the cemeteries due to the distance regulation.
This is communicated by the parish office in Aufkirchen.
The devotions in the parish association begin in Wangen at 1 p.m., in Aufkirchen, Höhenrain and Percha at 2 p.m.
You are asked to adhere to the distance rules and, if necessary, to wear a mouth and nose cover.
Corona requirements
All those responsible in the parishes point out that the situation can change at short notice.
Strict distance rules and mask requirements apply everywhere.
