Czech cemeteries and funeral architecture – the problem of integration with urban landscape – research and design studies

Klára Palánová, Ondřej Juračka

doi:10.37190/arc220106

Abstract

One hundred years after the first cremation, the Czech Republic is facing stagnation in the development of cemeteries, crematoria, and funeral architecture. The stagnation is caused by a low interest of both the society and the government. We carried out interviews and field research to specify the strengths and weaknesses of 20 funeral facilities (cemeteries, crematoria and ceremony and mourning halls) and to discuss new directions of development. Based on the interviews and analysis of the sites, we evaluated the needs and requirements of the current society and funeral facility operators. We also present one student work to propose how to deal with the identified weaknesses. It shows that it is very advantageous to design new facilities mixing the knowledge of the nation’s traditions, new trends, and the society’s customs. Through an innovative approach, even cemeteries that are placed outside towns may become functional parts of the landscape, for example through interconnecting several neighbouring villages and via creating new landmarks.