Burials in different countries and Biodiversity conservation

• Japan:

Buddhist and Shinto customs are strongly ingrained in the country's burial culture. Gravesites frequently have lovely gardens and trees surrounding them, which gives visitors a calm and quiet feeling. The use of "moss balls" called kokedama is an intriguing part of Japanese cemetery tradition. These are handcrafted moss and soil balls that can be hanged from trees or placed on graves to add to the habitats of little creatures and insects.

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• Mexico:

The Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos, is a well-known celebration in Mexico that honours loved ones who have passed away. During this time, families frequently pay visits to graves and adorn them with vibrant flowers, candles, and food and drink offerings. In addition to providing crucial resources for the biodiversity in the area, including nectar and pollen for insects and birds, this ritual not only pays respect to the deceased but also contributes to the continuation of natural species.

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• Australia:

Indigenous Australians have a long history of employing natural burial techniques to preserve the local biodiversity. For instance, in some Aboriginal societies, the dead are interred with a layer of branches and leaves over a small hole. This makes it possible for the body to decompose and for nutrients to be returned to the soil, promoting the development of plants and other living things nearby.

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• Oslo and Copenhagen:

Cemeteries in Oslo and Copenhagen occupy a significant portion of green space and are often situated in built-up areas due to urban expansion. Despite high cremation rates and grave reuse practices, space shortages are prevented, and some cemeteries even have a surplus of burial space. Both cities offer park-like environments with natural components, such as grass, trees, flowers, and sometimes water features. They demonstrate a unique approach to cemetery management, emphasizing a recreational environment and providing a peaceful resting place for loved ones. Copenhagen and Oslo have developed strategies for the planning and management of their cemeteries due to the growing demand for green urban spaces in memorialisation practices. 

 

The study employed four analytical dimensions, namely liminal, spiritual, multicultural, and multifunctional spaces, to identify explicit or implicit statements regarding the future of cemeteries. The findings were visualised using a radar chart to assess how the four analytical dimensions could change in the future.

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• Liminal Space:

The liminality of cemeteries in Oslo and Copenhagen is shaped by tensions around property status, management, design aspects, and actual use. The cemeteries are publicly accessible but also accommodate private graves, and ownership by the Church of Norway in Oslo adds to the complexity of categorizing them as public spaces. Copenhagen's strategy acknowledges the tension between cemeteries as a common resource and a personal space connected to private needs.

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• Spiritual Space:

Urban cemeteries serve as burial grounds and places for memorialization, requiring dignity in maintenance to accommodate the emotional and spiritual experiences of mourners. They offer elements that are lacking in modern urban cultures, reconfiguring views towards mortality and death. The Oslo and Copenhagen cemetery strategies acknowledge the restorative qualities of cemeteries, with environment and heritage as crucial components. The cemetery-specific strategies provide insights into how non-instrumental aspects of urban places can be articulated in planning practices.

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• Multicultural Space:

Scandinavian national churches historically managed burial grounds around churches, called "kirkegård" in Danish and Norwegian, but Norway now uses the religious-neutral term "gravplass." Even though they share a linguistic connection with Lutheran-Christian churches, cemeteries in Norway and Denmark are accessible to all members of society. Oslo and Copenhagen have special cemetery sections for various religious, ethnic, and other communities, allowing for inclusive cemetery management. 

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• Multifunctional Space:

The urban cemetery strategies of Oslo and Copenhagen aim to strengthen the multifunctional character of cemeteries while finding a balance between different activities. Oslo's strategy emphasizes the environmental values of cemeteries, such as their impacts on the local climate and biodiversity, and introduces more functions to use cemeteries in a "smarter" way. Copenhagen's strategy focuses more on cemeteries' recreational uses and allows for private and public events. Cemeteries can be multifunctional public spaces that contribute to the urban environment, but their primary purpose as burial grounds must be respected. Incorporating the intangible values of cemeteries, including spirituality, requires greater attention in planning education, policy development, and participation processes.