Disrespectful or socially acceptable? – A nordic case study of cemeteries as recreational landscapes

Nordh, Helena; Wingren, Carola; Uteng, Tanu Priya; Knapskog, Marianne

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104645

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In much of the Scandinavian literature on cemeteries published in recent years the multifaceted role that cemeteries play in people's lives is put forward: as places for mourning, remembrance and a way to con nect the living and the dead (Peters son and Wingren 2011; Moberg and Karde mark 2021), as places for reflection and con templation (Nordh et al 2017), as multicultural sites that reflect mobility and migration (Wingren 2013;Nordh et al 2023), as designed places (Wingren 2013) and as places to experience nature, go for a walk or relax on a bench (Swensen et al 2016;Evensen et al 2017;Skår et al 2018;Moberg and Kardemark 2021;Nordh et al 2022) or even pass through when out jogg ing (Grabalov 2018). There are also studies of the significance of the choice of ceme tery for the final rest (Marja vaara 2017) or the location of the grave within the cemetery (Vejrup Niel sen 2022).…”

Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the Scandinavian studies have focused on cemetery users or visitors, predominantly with mainstream Protestant or secular back grounds. With some few exceptions (Swen sen Hadders 2021;Nordh et al 2023), there is little focus on how diverse backgrounds influence the ex peri ence of Scandinavian cemeteries.…”

Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, cemeteries must by law fulfil the needs as burial spaces for all Swedish residents, thereby reflecting the various faith communities found in society. Some belief communities have succeeded in negoti ating specific cemetery sections in public cemeteries in accordance with their spe cific needs, such as orientation of graves (Nordh et al 2023). According to the law, burial should be made with respect for the deceased's wishes and religion, so there is a need for a flexible and liberal system that allows for diversity (Nordh et al 2021;Mad drell et al 2021).…”

Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘It is the greenness, the nature, it looks as if someone has taken care of the place very well’

Nordh

Wingren

2023

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This article is about experiences of a cemetery landscape: a physical space that was chosen as a depository for human remains, and where different memorial and disposal practices have developed behavioural patterns that together form a cemetery culture. Through qualitative research at St Eskil’s, Eskilstuna, Sweden, encompassing field observations and interviews (N=14) with stakeholders and people from the general public, we aim to describe and discuss the cemetery as a place and environment experienced from a perspective of people of diverse backgrounds. The study reveals important characteristics that facilitate designing, caretaking, developing and using cemeteries more generally. Findings show that most interviewees, independent for example of cultural or religious adherence, describe the cemetery as a beautiful natural or garden-like place. The well-maintained landscape is emphasized as a self-evident or impressive quality. The cemetery is experienced as ‘typically Swedish’ and described in terms of order and sense of care. Diversity in both design and multi-cultural and individual expressions are observed, acknowledged and welcomed. We conclude that nature (including a garden approach), care and diversity are key concepts that should be considered in design and development of future cemeteries.

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Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Swedish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘It is the greenness, the nature, it looks as if someone has taken care of the place very well’

Nordh

Wingren

2023

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Historical and contemporary cemeteries in the urban area. The modern development of the city vs. human remnants in the soil

Greinert,

Kostecki

2024

J Soils Sediments

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Purpose Death is inextricably linked to the functioning of the biosphere, including the presence of humans on Earth. The remains of 117 billion people who have ever lived on Earth are mostly hidden in the soil. Hence, the organization, use and subsequent fate of cemeteries and their surroundings should also be considered from the perspective of pedeogenesis. The soils of such areas are subject to multifactorial human pressure, as reflected in their often complex soil profiles. Materials and methods The situation of a Central European city of medieval origin, Zielona Gora (Poland), characterized by the presence of 39 cemeteries within its current boundaries, is presented. The location of these cemeteries was shown in light of other factors of human pressure on soil, including relation to buildings construction and a land use. The analysis of the current form of use of burial sites and their immediate surroundings used the technique of field research and a city's documentation query. In order to reflect the specific impact of the form of use of post-burial grounds on soil properties, selected soil characteristics of exemplary historical cemeteries are presented. The main soil characteristics were evaluated using standard methods of laboratory analysis. Results and discussion Some cemeteries are reflected in the city's planning documents – there are all contemporary cemeteries and a few historical ones. The vast majority of historical burial sites are not reflected in the plans. This makes modern urban development directly adjacent to them and even encroaches on their territories. Soil analysis has shown that human remains are still present in soils of these areas, even hundreds of years after cemetery closure. In addition to these, the soils are characterized by elevated C and P content relative to the bedrock. The arrangement of the necrosol profile is disturbed by the significant presence of construction and municipal waste. The most soil characteristics, including grain-size composition, pH, EC, sorption properties, organic and inorganic carbon content, as well as macronutrients and heavy metals, are strong influenced by the land use form and urban pressure on cemetery areas. Conclusions It is common practice around the world to bury human bodies or ashes in soil, hence their remains contribute to soil profiles. Proper identification of cemetery soil profiles, with a clear indication of necric features, is difficult due to the different uses of cemetery land. The soils of former cemeteries, by reason of their relationship to buildings and urban parks, take on the characteristics typical of such urban land use forms.

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Disturbing the dead: Climate change and the potential relocation of Swedish cemeteries

Marjavaara,

Carola

2024

Applied Geography

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Disrespectful or socially acceptable? – A nordic case study of cemeteries as recreational landscapes

Cited by 7 publications

References 23 publications

‘It is the greenness, the nature, it looks as if someone has taken care of the place very well’

‘It is the greenness, the nature, it looks as if someone has taken care of the place very well’

Historical and contemporary cemeteries in the urban area. The modern development of the city vs. human remnants in the soil

Disturbing the dead: Climate change and the potential relocation of Swedish cemeteries

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