New burial options in Mainz
In the largest town in Germany's largest wine-growing region, it is now also possible to be buried among the vines - affectionately known as "Schorlegräber".
To this end, the Wirtschaftsbetrieb Mainz planted 9 grapevines in 5 rows on a slope (photo) at the Laubenheim neighborhood cemetery, providing space for a total of 72 urn plots and 36 urn row graves.
“Cemeteries are first and foremost places of mourning, silence, and remembrance. A remembrance of the people who have found their final resting place there. And, of course, a remembrance of those people’s lives,” emphasizes Jeanette Wetterling, CEO of Wirtschaftsbetrieb Mainz, which manages Mainz’s 13 cemeteries.
Many residents of Mainz grew up in the vineyards and feel a strong emotional connection to them. And with Marktfrühstück, Wine Market, WeinUfer, and other festivals in Mainz, much of life in Rheinhessen revolves around this noble crop. “And that’s exactly why we want to create an option that meets the wishes of the local community—one with a regional connection and a theme that united them during their lifetimes,” Wetterling continues.
“Since we in Mainz always keep an open mind to new ideas—even on this very sensitive topic—and are known for implementing them promptly when appropriate, the ‘Wingertsgräber’ have now been created here,” adds Ronny Pietsch, the head of the Cemetery and Funeral Services department. Incidentally, the grapevines are a variety called Sauvignon Gries.
Extensions also in Drais, Ebersheim and at the West cemetery
The new burial ground is part of a series of expansion measures at Mainz's district cemeteries. In Laubenheim, four new trees were planted for 32 tree graves, and columbaria were built for an additional 120 urn niches.
At the West Cemetery, 32 tree graves, 28 urn graves, and 144 urn row graves have been newly created. The Drais Cemetery has been expanded by 34 new columbarium chambers. And in Ebersheim, 16 new lawn graves and 8 new lawn row graves are now available.
The next step will be to implement further projects at the Hechtsheim Cemetery.