Whether it's packaging or paper tissues, wilted floral decorations or weathered grave offerings: there are trash cans and waste rings for all of this in Mainz's cemeteries. These must be emptied and their contents disposed of properly.

There is usually some time between a person's death and their funeral. During this time, the coffin or urn must be stored temporarily. Cemeteries naturally have appropriate rooms for this purpose, equipped with the necessary refrigeration technology if required.

Dig the grave, bury the coffin or urn, close the grave. That's it. Not quite. A funeral also involves preparing the farewell ceremony in the funeral hall, transporting the coffin/urn to the gravesite, and organizing the proceedings.

A funeral hall requires lighting and heating. Lawnmowers and vehicles run on fuel, while computers and cold storage rooms require electricity. And energy costs money.

Mourning must be possible locally: in the mid-1980s, this was the response to plans to limit burials in Mainz to just a few large cemeteries. This means that there are a total of 12 burial sites in the city, one in almost every suburb. This means short distances for relatives and those affected, and has a significant impact on planning and administration.

Viewed objectively and soberly, purchasing a grave site is nothing more than leasing a piece of land. For a certain period of time, with existing infrastructure and staff to take care of it.

Letters to beneficiaries, the bylaws on the website, updates in the Amtsblatt, or media inquiries: Information is important, and it must flow—as smoothly and professionally as possible.

A cemetery is not just a piece of land with graves. A cemetery consists of paths and plants, fountains and trees, buildings and halls. And all of this not only has to be planned, laid out, and built, but also monitored, maintained, and repaired when necessary.

We cannot produce everything ourselves; many things have to be purchased. This ranges from pencils to computers, from gardening tools to urn walls, from the vehicle fleet to the buildings.

In administration, on site at cemeteries, during burials: it wouldn't be possible without manpower. And, of course, our staff receive a salary that is set by collective agreement.

Trees, shrubs, flowers, hedges: the flora in Mainz's cemeteries is impressive and intentional, because it gives the burial sites a very special character. But plants need to be cared for, and that's what our gardeners do.

What types of graves are currently in demand? Are there any new trends? What happens to vacant spaces? Cemeteries do not just appear out of nowhere. And they change in terms of their size and character. All of this must be taken into account and considered. Regularly, at all times, and in the long term.

A place of mourning also needs a quiet place. That is why there are toilets in all our cemeteries, both large (Waldfriedhof) and small (Marienborn). And, of course, they are also cleaned and maintained.

A building on the cemetery grounds for farewell ceremonies or prayers. Often requested, always irreplaceable, and therefore present in all cemeteries in Mainz.

Urn or coffin? Single grave or row grave? These choices alone are no longer sufficient. Mourning has become individualized, and the funeral options in Mainz have been adapted to meet this need. Of course, this also applies to the administration, planning, and the cemeteries themselves.

Setting the date of the funeral, coordinating the details with the funeral director, clarifying and handling the formalities: all of this is also part of a funeral—and yet it doesn't end there. Administrative work also includes, for example, searching for relatives, data maintenance, and general correspondence.

Graves are decorated, and not just on the day of the funeral. Flowers and plants usually play an important role in this, and they need water. Of course, there are fountains and watering cans in Mainz's cemeteries for this purpose.

Spring, summer, fall, and winter: the seasons also make themselves felt in cemeteries. During hot spells, plants need to be watered more frequently, and after storms, trees need to be checked for damage. When the leaves fall, they need to be disposed of. And snow and ice mean clearing and gritting work. It's a year-round job.

A row grave lasts for twenty years, a private grave for at least thirty. We have to make do with the usage fees for just as long. However, without knowing exactly how prices and wages will develop by then.