Cemetery Design should evoke a sense of comfort in visitors and honor the dead. It should also preserve culture and traditions, and serve as a record of history.
Efficient land layouts minimize impact on existing natural systems. Cemeteries should work with the environment, rather than against it, to create a sustainable landscape.
Space Planning
Cemeteries receive less attention than other infrastructure in a community, but they are vital public and deeply personal spaces that need thoughtful planning. Much like planning for roadways and housing, we must consider the needs of a cemetery as a whole, the people who use it, and how it can be supported by a network of green infrastructure.
Cemetery space choices are imbued with meaning and reflection, allowing families to select a memorial that honors their loved one. From traditional burial plots to cremation niches, each choice offers unique ways to express a legacy.
As a result, the cemetery must accommodate a wide range of needs and be flexible to meet these needs in the future. Accuracy in mapping is key to efficient space utilization.
Circulation
A cemetery is a permanent fixture in the community that requires an enduring design approach. It must provide a space that is comforting and evoke positive emotions. The design must also respect the sensitivity of visitors who bid their loved ones farewell.
While some designs, like the San Mauro Torinese Cemetery Extension, emphasize an open exterior that fosters fluid connections with the surrounding environment, others like the Eternal Hill Columbarium turn inward to create a sense of privacy and introspection. This is a symbolic choice based on an egalitarian philosophy that embraces internal peace.
Involving the community in the progress of a cemetery master plan is important to solidify an ongoing relationship. It’s also critical to work with city planning committees. This process provides a proactive roadmap that affords long term success.
Light
Lighting is a key part of the cemetery design process. It provides a safe and welcoming environment, and creates a sense of remembrance.
Throughout history, light has been associated with life and renewal in most cultures and traditions. People place lights on gravestones as a way to memorialize the deceased and demonstrate their faith that life continues after death.
Jaana and Florence both agree that light plays a significant role in the experience of visiting a cemetery. They stress the importance of involving the community in the design process for luminaire locations and assembly. Lights can also help visitors find graves more easily. Our remembrance lights are built using quality components and heavy-duty construction to ensure years of worry-free use. Each unit holds a 150-hour candle designed for outdoor use.
Sustainability
Choosing the right location for a cemetery can impact how sustainable it is. Proper land layout can mitigate negative factors, such as traffic flow, drainage and access, and augment beneficial ones, such as wildlife, foliage and ambient noise.
Many families choose to leave flowers (or other items) on the plaque of their loved one in a columbarium wall. Newer designs take this desire into account, often incorporating metal clips that allow for the placement of a small posy.
Many cemeteries are also incorporating sustainable landscaping practices to increase ecological value. Using native plants, drought-resistant vegetation and pollinator friendly flowers is not only more beautiful than traditional turf, but also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and water usage. It also helps to attract bees and birds that help with the natural pest control in a cemetery.
Accessibility
Accessibility is critical to the success of a cemetery design. Visitors with varying physical capabilities need to be able to navigate the grounds easily. A clear, visible map is the first step to achieving this goal. Frequent rest areas along paths allow mourners to spend time at gravesites without straining.
Monumental and inscription designs are also important to accessibility. These should follow local and cemetery regulations to preserve the sanctity of hallowed grounds while encouraging a sense of community and belonging.
Historically, tombstones and burial mounds showcased society’s beliefs in the afterlife and societal hierarchies. Today, a growing trend towards personalization highlights the desire for unique monuments and tailored memorial services that celebrate each individual’s life. The resulting designs reflect this cultural shift in how we grieve and remember.