mjölk

Authors: Tobiáš Hrabec, Jan Mach, Jan Vondrák
Location: Vratislavice nad Nisou, Czech Republic
design: 2022
completion: 2024
Photography: BoysPlayNice

A Final place

What is the nature of grief and mourning in a society that no longer shares a religious or philosophical view of death and what comes after? In the design of the Vratislavice cemetery extension, we sought a form that is appropriately dignified yet contains a glimmer of hope without relying on religious symbols. We call this approach "comforting architecture."
The old cemetery above Vratislavice has been expanded with several elements to accommodate today's common funeral methods such as scattering or interment. A circular scattering meadow is complemented by a ceremonial table made from solid granite rock extracted from the slopes of the Jizera Mountains and a grove of memorial lanterns. The interment meadows are located in the rear part of the cemetery. Beneath a tall birch tree, we designed an intimate memorial place where people can bid farewell to their unborn child. The continuation of the paved path ends with a circular water feature reflecting the sky above us.
Scattering Meadow. The circular shape of the meadow loosely refers to the cyclical nature of life and our presence in it. The meadow is surrounded by a grove of memorial lanterns—elements serving as a remembrance of those buried through scattering. Each element is equipped with a brass plaque bearing the name of the deceased or possibly the family name. By touching the upper part of the element, the bereaved can light a lantern made of frosted glass, which will then shine for the next seventy-two hours. This is a modern reinterpretation of the ritual of lighting a candle in memory of the deceased.
Interment Meadow. A memorial place with a maintained lawn serves for the burial of cremated remains into anonymous but precisely marked holes. The interment is performed by pouring the ashes into a prepared hole during the ceremony. The earth from the hole is then returned to its original place after the ceremony. Once the interment is done, that part of the lawn is permanently occupied, and the next interment is performed at the adjacent spot.
Memorial for Unborn Children. Almost everyone knows a family that lost a longed-for child during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Sharing the pain, spiritual and psychological support, and the opportunity to say goodbye to the baby are essential in coping with this tragic event. Under a tall birch tree, we designed an intimate corner with a bench and a memorial made from a split rock, where families can place their memories in the form of a candle or small item.
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