- Evolution of burial tradition in Europe
- Evolution of burial tradition in Slovak Republic
- Slovak folk gravestones
- Present state of burials in Slovak Republic
- Building burial places presently in Europe
- Common present trends in grave arrangements
- Setting up plants on graves
- Photo gallery
Evolution of burial tradition in Europe
One of the oldest evidence which gives information to present society about our civilisation are burial places. First early sepulchre architecture in neolithic period is represented by megalith graves. Perhaps most famous sepulchre constructions in history are royal chambers in Egypt – pyramids and rock monuments in „Valley of the Kings“. Old romans have founded a social burial system. Burial organisation took care of burying poorest people into so called columbariums. Usually, they have positioned two urns with ash in one apse of columbarium. Further, old romans have started burying bodies of deceased in catacombs, which were under surface burial places. This was the step from burning bodies to burying them as a whole in 2nd century AC. Burial of whole bodies has started to dominate due to influence of Christianity in whole Europe, because of belief in resurrection. As burial places were choosen either churches (temples, monkeries) or consecrated ground around them after the Christianity was formally accepted by the society.

A new reform movement arose around 1900 in Germany. It was recalling to be simpler when creating gravestones, which should express decorous death. With this thought in mind, a forest cemetery in Munich was founded in the year of 1907. The forest was understood as a narutal chapel. Simplicity of gravestones was required here. Fair conditions for founding and improving forest cemeteries were in 19th century in Sweden. Nordern woody land, inhabitants binded together with nature and influence of romanism – all of these aspects has contributed to start a new era of forest cemeteries. Most famous cemetery of this type was built in years 1915 – 1940 is in Ensked by Stockholm.
Evolution of burial tradition in Slovak Republic

Slovak folk gravestones

Present state of burials in Slovak Republic
The look of cemeteries in Slovak Republic has considerably changed over past decades not only in cities, but also in countryside. Authentic materials and shapes of gravestones used for hundreds of years has been interchanged for stones, concrete and automated production. Original traditions has fallen into oblivion and dignified feel of cemeteries is lost. Emotion, love and submission have faded out from gravestones. Portion of green areas is decreasing at the expense of high density grave fields needed for burying. Present design of cemeteries does not correspond with present time needs for grave arrangements and this facts result in problematic and insufficient cemetery maintenance. Present contidion of cemeteries is the result of longterm crisis of burial culture.

Building burial places presently in Europe


Common present trends in grave arrangements

Setting up plants on graves
Present trends in setting up plants on graves are influenced by usual building grave’s bead in flush with surrounding terrain. It is no more common to cover whole area of grave with stone plates or to plant whole area with annuals. Before planting any flowers, we should know required plants and their characteristics, know the possibilities of combining given plants and there should be skilled gardeners to take care about it. Mentioned services are usually accessible to reach at cemetery’s gardenings, which offer planting and maintenance of graves. When individual approach in arrangement of grave‘s surface is choosen there should be exact lease conditions defined related to grave. Also, there should be possible combinations of plants defined for graves in particular part of cemetery. Grave arrangement in present time tends to be simple, with the use of grass or plants covering ground together with scrub species, everlastings, and a place for seasonal plants (annuals). Process of choosing a right plant for grave takes into account size of grave and conditions needed for groving (type of ground, amount of light). When thinking about maintenance, we should consider an area ratio between all year and seasonal plantings. Plants should create a peaceful background for gravestones, make a nice border and emphasize them. Especially when arranging such a small place like grave place, it is essential to make a simple yet beautiful planting which will be in coincidence with surrounding graves.Pictures
Pére Lachaise | ||
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Ohlsdorf | ||
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Bratislava | ||
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Detva | ||
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Bratislava - Lamač | ||
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Bratislava - Ružinov | ||
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Neubiberg | ||
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Nieuwe-Ooster | ||
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Autor
Ing. Denisa Halajová, PhD.