Cemeteries have evolved in response to broader societal shifts in attitudes towards death and remembrance. Today’s memorial landscapes often offer a place for tranquil contemplation and a welcoming space for visitors.
WC Fry Design has experience designing cemetery master plans, expansions and new sections for religious communities. Our designers are able to create a unique, personalized setting that is reflective of your beliefs and values.
Master Plan
A cemetery master plan is a roadmap that sets management’s vision for future development. Often this includes a review of the cemetery’s existing burial options and an evaluation for new alternatives to meet consumer buying trends, budgetary constraints and land availability.
Cemetery layout design must consider site topography, drainage, soil conditions, climate, utility lines and zoning regulations. Well-designed landscapes provide cleaner mowing lines, lower maintenance and enhanced aesthetics. Adding ponds that attract wildlife, as well as trees with varied sizes and species can bring additional beauty to the property. These elements should all work together to help visitors find their way throughout the grounds. Modern cemetery design reflects the individuality of each family’s tradition and heritage while embracing community connection. Creating this kind of space requires special expertise.
Landscape and Architecture
Modern cemetery design must go beyond a simple place to lay down a headstone. It must celebrate life, family, history and individuality – integrated within a community. That takes a special kind of know-how.
Landscape designers are a critical part of this effort. They must ensure that the grounds are both beautiful and functional, including a layout that is as efficient as possible for the layout of burial plots.
The landscape must also provide an attractive and welcoming entrance, with landscaping that reflects the cultural traditions of the cemetery. For example, planting birch trees and weeping willows add beauty while respecting the scale of the architecture. They also help reduce chemical runoff that damages headstones, lowering maintenance costs. In addition, incorporating permeable pavements and native grasses decreases stormwater runoff and erosion while reducing maintenance cost.
Signage
Cemeteries are often large, complex sites with a number of different types of signs for wayfinding and information. The design and layout of these signs needs to take into account how they will impact the overall character of a cemetery.
Signage at a cemetery should impart serenity and respect to visitors. In general the design of carved or etched signage should be kept simple and low-key. The use of symbols which communicate a spiritual message or which have historical significance is encouraged.
Carved letterforms on headstones typically fall into two categories, raised and incised. Tombstones also reflect spousal relationships according to social conventions at the time of the memorialization. Identification signs at a burial site should utilize the same type of sign elements as those found on directional signs which lead to that location, as shown in the example above for the Jewish cemetery of Rohatyn (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast). Sign panels should be designed to be durable and lasting.
Grading and Drainage
Modern cemetery design goes beyond just a place to lay a headstone. It is a vibrant celebration of family, history and individuality within a shared community. To accomplish this, it takes a special kind of knowledge that merges necessary sensitivity with practical problem solving and design.
Proper grading is essential to avoid the pooling of rainwater on Cemetery property and surrounding areas. Designing a drainage system that works with the site is key. Ponds and other man-made water features are also used to enhance the experience of visitors.
Cemetery designs include high end areas such as private estate gardens and mausoleums, traditional lawn burial sections and cremation interment areas. They also incorporate natural site features such as streams, waterfalls, wetlands and scenic vistas. WC Fry Design works with a variety of religious organizations to create cemetery master plans, extensions and new sections.
Accessibility
A Cemetery’s accessibility should be one of its highest priorities. This includes ensuring that the property is easily navigable by foot or wheelchair, and ensuring that there are accessible pathways throughout the site. This is especially important if your Cemetery caters to a younger audience who may have physical limitations.
Cemeteries need to think beyond a place to lay a grave; they must be vibrant celebrations of family, history and individuality integrated within a shared community. That requires a unique blend of sensitivity and expertise. This is where The LA Group excels. We bring a deep understanding of culture, history and architecture to all our cemetery projects. Our team is renowned for creating intuitive and dignified design work that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.