Modern cemetery design must think beyond a place to lay a grave. It should be a vibrant celebration of family, history and individuality within a shared community.
A well-developed master plan is the foundation for a cemetery’s long term success. The programming process identifies areas of opportunity, potential constraints and logical implementation plans.
Site Analysis
The first phase of a cemetery design project is the site analysis. This entails evaluating the location of the property, the physical characteristics of the land and the potential development constraints. It should also take into consideration the current and future needs of the site.
During this phase, it is important to identify and recognize any existing natural features on the site, such as water features or wooded hillsides. These natural elements should be accentuated and given more attention to in order to create a harmonious landscape design that integrates with the surrounding landscape.
Cemetery designers should also consider the structural configuration of the cemetery, including burial cases, emplacements and funeral monuments. They should also evaluate the possibility of incorporating cremation niches and memorial parks.
Program Statement
The program statement is the stage where the cemetery master plan starts to take shape. The program is developed to determine the development potential of the site, identifying the areas for new construction and their relationships to existing features.
The current trend for cremation provides a chance for a rethinking of the traditional cemetery and its role in society. Today’s cemeteries must be able to provide an experience that transcends the burial of loved ones and celebrates their life, family history and individuality within a community.
Architectural Concepts
Once the cemetery’s master plan has been established, it is time to begin the architectural concept phase. The various elements are placed on the site map and related to each other based on functional relationships. Areas with constraints to development are identified and worked around.
Existing geographic assets, such as wooded hill sides and high points are accentuated and used as focal elements in the design. Cremation interment areas may be positioned to take advantage of slopes and views or natural water features.
Increasing inclination towards cremation offers the opportunity to utilize less land and is less disruptive to natural systems than full body burials. Changing burial practices also dictate a different design approach.
Budget
The cemetery business requires a lot of planning. It is important to understand the various factors that affect headstone and monument costs so you can set realistic expectations with your family members, especially when preneed arrangements are being discussed.
A well-developed plan will also provide cemetery management with the tools to effectively communicate the value of a particular product or service with visitors. This will help to improve the overall experience of those visiting a cemetery and will increase revenue and inventory growth over time.
Cemetery master plans should also be flexible enough to respond to changes in consumer buying trends and cash flow. This flexibility will help the cemetery continue to meet its mission while keeping long and short-term goals in mind. These changes can include the addition of memorial gardens, cremation garden or mausoleum inventory.
Construction
A cemetery project is a sensitive space and one that requires a thoughtful response. Cohesive planning, optimizing land utilization and improving the overall aesthetics is what an Architect needs to focus on.
Providing pathways to the different burial sections, designing directional signage that is both readable and informative must be included in the process of creating a cemetery design. Garden areas, memorial walls and special landscape features add beauty to the spaces within a cemetery while also providing opportunities for reflection and remembrance.
A significant entrance is a focal point that distinguishes the space and welcomes visitors. It should align with the design vernacular and regional influences to magnify the sense of passing into a sacred place.