Examining how different communities approach death and burial highlights the subjective nature of this topic, offering insight into the varied ways we commemorate our loved ones. Cemeteries, which began in the 18th century as a hygienic solution, have evolved into spaces shaped by social, religious, and spatial perspectives – increasingly influenced by the growth of the funeral industry.
While some cemeteries remain exclusively mono-religious, others accept individuals from multiple religious backgrounds. Challenging architectural approaches related to the “future of death” shifts the focus toward designing spaces that create encounters, evoke impressions, and weave a narrative through the interplay of intangible sacred phenomena and physical volumes. Elements would propose a minimal character, dispelling the taboo and uncertainty surrounding death while enhancing its sacredness. A multi-faith cemetery becomes a space that acknowledges diverse holy boundaries, where the soul is believed to transition into whatever lies beyond. This perspective – that death marks the beginning of memory rather than the end of the physical – could reshape how we think about such spaces today.
What if we viewed cemeteries as more than just large burial grounds, as places of deep social and historical significance? Visiting these spaces is an opportunity to form an emotional and spiritual connection with the deceased. Without this dimension, a cemetery risks becoming little more than a lifeless collection of headstones, devoid of the stories it holds. When a site designed for memory and respect prioritizes purely function over meaning, it fails to provide the comfort and connection people seek when honoring their loved ones
Cemetery designs that transcend mere practicality tap into the realm of human emotion. Shouldn’t shared human experiences, after all, bring us closer together? The very act of asking this question can elicit polarizing responses, with no definitive answer. Yet, when a community accepts another that differs from itself, the beauty of diversity is often reflected in its burial spaces. Pushing boundaries to envision the future is a crucial starting point for progress. Societies change over time, and the big question is: how can cemeteries adapt to keep pace with these changes?
Cities, especially in Europe, have become increasingly multicultural due to factors like immigration and globalization. As a result, interreligious spaces and multi-religious cemeteries have emerged to accommodate the diverse denominational populations, playing a significant role in integrating immigrants into local communities. A prime example of integration is the Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome, Italy, one of Europe’s oldest burial grounds, founded after the Napoleonic Wars. Often referred to as the Protestant Cemetery, it includes the graves of Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians. Such cemeteries offer a sense of belonging and a connection to the cultural and religious diversity within the community. They open room for dialogue and understanding, fostering peaceful coexistence among different faith groups.
Creating and managing interreligious cemeteries is a complex task that requires careful consideration of inclusivity, representation, and potential conflicts. Here, “conflict” does not mean religious clashes but practical challenges: different rituals and traditions can sometimes interfere with each other during the development of such projects. For instance, Madrid’s Cementerio Municipal Sur-Carabanchel, the city’s first graveyard to allow Muslims to bury their loved ones according to Islamic traditions, faces issues due to regional health laws. Islamic burial rites require direct contact with the earth, but a 1997 regulation mandates the use of coffins to prevent epidemics and groundwater contamination [4]. To address such challenges, clear guidelines and procedures for managing disputes must be established to ensure that all users feel respected and valued.
In other cases, overcrowded cemeteries can prompt cities to expand and merge burial spaces. At the Mirogoj Mortuary in Zagreb, Croatia, religious rites are fully observed, and the cemetery is divided into separate sections for Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and Jews. The decision to designate Mirogoj as the city’s new cemetery initially sparked mixed reactions, but acceptance ultimately prevailed. Each religion was allocated a section “proportionate to its number of followers.”
In Lebanon, overcrowded urban cemeteries have led to architectural proposals uniting three interdenominational communities within a single burial plot. Here, the principles of cemetery design prioritize the living rather than the dead. Shifting the focus to how people engage with cemeteries – seeing them as integral parts of the urban fabric – could revitalize otherwise lifeless spaces. By integrating burial grounds into the city’s spatial context, cemeteries can become places of reflection, comfort, and connection. This approach does not favor one religion over another but promotes coexistence and inclusivity. The emotions and attachments we hold for the departed are deeply personal, and designing comforting resting places inevitably creates comforting spaces for the living. In urban contexts, the space for multiple cemeteries doesn’t exist.
If we already live side by side in life, why not rest together in death as well?
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Cover photo: The acatholic cemetery in Rome (photo by Bob, Flickr)
