With this new extension to the Vratislavice cemetery, Mjölk architekti is seeking a new way of designing cemeteries without relying on religious symbols but maintaining a hopeful approach. They call this new approach “comforting architecture.”
The extension consists of three elements. The circular scattering meadow, which is complemented by a forest of memorial lanterns, aims to remember those families who have passed away. The forest is intended to resemble the ritual of lighting a candle in memory of the deceased.
The burial meadow, which is an evocative place used for the burial of cremated remains. And finally the memorial for unborn children, which consists of a space with a stone monument, intended for families who lost a child prematurely or before birth, to say goodbye and share the pain.
The Final Place by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice.
Project description by Mjölk architekti
What is the nature of grief and mourning in a society that no longer shares a religious or philosophical view of death and what comes after? In the design of the extension of the Vratislavice cemetery, a form was sought that was dignified but contained a ray of hope without relying on religious symbols. This approach is referred to as “comforting architecture.”
The old cemetery above Vratislavice has been expanded with several elements to accommodate today's common funeral methods such as scattering or interment. A circular scattering meadow is complemented by a ceremonial table made from solid granite rock extracted from the slopes of the Jizera Mountains and a grove of memorial lanterns. The interment meadows are located in the rear part of the cemetery. Beneath a tall birch tree, we designed an intimate memorial place where people can bid farewell to their unborn child. The continuation of the paved path ends with a circular water feature reflecting the sky above us.
Scattering Meadow
The circular shape of the meadow loosely refers to the cyclical nature of life and our presence in it. The meadow is surrounded by a grove of memorial lanterns—elements serving as a remembrance of those buried through scattering. Each element is equipped with a brass plaque bearing the name of the deceased or possibly the family name. By touching the upper part of the element, the bereaved can light a lantern made of frosted glass, which will then shine for the next seventy-two hours. This is a modern reinterpretation of the ritual of lighting a candle in memory of the deceased.
Interment Meadow
A memorial place with a maintained lawn serves for the burial of cremated remains into anonymous but precisely marked holes. The interment is performed by pouring the ashes into a prepared hole during the ceremony. The earth from the hole is then returned to its original place after the ceremony. Once the interment is done, that part of the lawn is permanently occupied, and the next interment is performed at the adjacent spot.
Memorial for Unborn Children
This space is intended for families who have lost a child during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Sharing the pain, spiritual and psychological support and the opportunity to say goodbye to the baby are essential to deal with this tragic event. Under a tall birch tree, an intimate corner was designed with a bench and a monument made of a broken stone, where families can place their memories in the form of a candle or small object.
