Burying as Part of Life in the European Context

Abstract

One of the eternal influencing factors on the development of people´s place of living is the problem of burying. These problems change in time but consequentially require long-term planning, the reservation of an area in a proper territorial community with all planned consequences thoroughly thought through. Cemeteries come close to the course of life in society and its relationship to the values of previous generations. According to the state of the cemetery and its tidiness it is possible to make a judgement on the cultural advancement of society. The loss of rituals and the encroaching secularization of society are connected to making the problems of burials and burying taboo. The objective of this work is an attempt to change this state by leading a discussion on the tradition of burying as part of life in the European context of selected cemeteries in Vienna, Brno and Prague. There are taken into consideration the historical influences and the reasons of introducing legal arrangements, historical connections, urban establishments, funereal arts, architecture and pictures of the cemeteries that were studied. There are observed the present trends in burying and the arrangement of existing cemeteries and comparing them with inter-European influences. The problems of cemeteries are presented with their projection into the future on the cultural and ethical level of the moral code.

Revitalisation of Historic Public Cemeteries in Central Zones of Urban Areas

“…), but with the onset of Christianity they moved closer to homes or became part of the church (nearby or within it). In the 2nd century, grave burial became highly popular (as a legacy to pre-Christian culture and Christianity) [1]. In 789 Charles the Great issued a decree that prohibited the cremation of bodies, with a punishment of the death penalty.…”

“…Their location is thus formed by the rules and laws from the past, earlier than other surrounding buildings were built. Cemeteries have experienced different time eras and styles; they are like time capsules [1]. In cities, cemeteries are often attached to a park or garden or they alone create a garden among which graves are located.…”