A cemetery is a delicate and sensitive space. It must aptly respond to the emotional sentiments of the family, bid farewells to their beloved and be aesthetically appealing.
Designing a cemetery begins with a master plan that focuses on long-range planning and the overall aesthetics of the property. It also provides a roadmap for future additions and changes to the property.
Master Plan
A master plan is an essential tool for cemetery design, as it identifies the short and long term needs of the property. It also helps a cemetery develop a strategy for a variety of projects, and ensures the best possible utilization of their property.
Aside from its important role as a guide to future development, a cemetery master plan can help create a more aesthetically pleasing cemetery that can enhance the overall marketability of the property. This is especially true when the master plan provides a comprehensive list of features and buildings that are designed well, and which complement each other in a tasteful manner.
One of the most appealing features of this cemetery is its location on the hillside, which affords spectacular views of Dillon Reservoir and Buffalo Mountain. This aspect of the site is intentionally incorporated into the road alignment, so that visitors can enjoy these vistas before entering the cemetery. This option also allows for a more attractive entry and exit sequence to the cemetery.
Landscape and Architecture
Landscape design is an important part of cemetery architecture, as it is a space that is full of meaning and is able to speak volumes about the lives of those who are buried in it. It is not an easy task to bring nature into the focus of such a space, but through careful planning and execution, it can be done successfully.
The landscape and architecture of a cemetery are often very similar to the design of neighborhoods and gardens. Garden cemeteries often take advantage of natural features such as streams, mature trees, boulder outcrops, scenic vistas and high points by placing various burial types near them.
Dell Water, for example, is set off from the rest of the cemetery and features relatively few mausolea embedded into a steep hill that ends in a pond. It is unkempt in appearance but has been a welcoming place for birdwatchers and strollers to visit. The area is also a natural processing place for stormwater, as it sits between communities and roadways.
Green Infrastructure
The green infrastructure of a cemetery can have a range of functions. It can help manage water, improve air quality and reduce pollution in the environment.
In Scandinavian countries, the municipality-managed cemeteries are a significant part of protected green spaces (Kjoller, 2012; Nordh et al., 2017). Well-maintained cemeteries have a positive effect on the perception of urban green space (Tudor et al., 2013).
However, the maintenance of these areas can be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, it is important to find ways of managing costs while keeping the quality of the environment high (Nordh et al., 2017).
In addition to their primary functions of remembrance and burial, cemeteries are also used for recreational activities. They provide a space for people to exercise, walk and relax. These activities are often accompanied by guided walks or cultural events, such as concerts or theater performances.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the most important aspects of cemetery design. If you have a loved one with physical or mobility issues, it’s important to make sure that their final resting place is designed in a way that allows them to have the best possible experience.
There are many different elements of cemetery design that can impact accessibility. These include signage, grading, and drainage systems.
During construction, there should be a lot of thought put into making your cemetery as accessible as possible for people with different needs. These elements will help everyone have an enjoyable experience and can also make your cemetery more attractive to visitors.
A road system in a cemetery should provide visitors with access to committal service shelters, burial and public areas as well as for service and maintenance traffic. The roads should be simple in design with an appearance that complements the landforms and topography.