Woodland cemetery
Encyclopedia
A woodland cemetery is a cemetery
where the original landscape with existing trees has been given much influence on the landscape architecture
of the cemetery, and where the graves are fitted in among the trees. A woodland cemetery is designed so that the landscape is given a more prominent position, and grave monuments, chapels and other buildings are given less prominent positions. The trees of the cemetery might originally have been a woodland
or a tighter forest
where a portion of the trees have been removed, and some of the trees might be planted as well. Among famous woodland cemeteries that became models for other cemeteries of similar design are the Munich Waldfriedhof
of 1907 in Germany, often mentioned as the first woodland cemetery, and Skogskyrkogården
outside of Stockholm in Sweden which is declared a world heritage site
.
The best-known woodland cemeteries are the large ones constructed by well-known architect
s; however, there are also several woodland cemeteries in northernmost Sweden
that predate both Skogskyrkogården
and the German Waldfriedhof style. The woodland cemetery in Karesuando
in the northernmost municipality of the country, Kiruna Municipality
, was consecrated in 1816.
The avant-garde composer Karlheinz Stockhausen
is buried in the woodland cemetery overlooking Kürten
.
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
where the original landscape with existing trees has been given much influence on the landscape architecture
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
of the cemetery, and where the graves are fitted in among the trees. A woodland cemetery is designed so that the landscape is given a more prominent position, and grave monuments, chapels and other buildings are given less prominent positions. The trees of the cemetery might originally have been a woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
or a tighter forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
where a portion of the trees have been removed, and some of the trees might be planted as well. Among famous woodland cemeteries that became models for other cemeteries of similar design are the Munich Waldfriedhof
Munich Waldfriedhof
The Munich Waldfriedhof is one of 29 cemeteries of Munich in Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the larger and more famous burial sites of the city due to its park like design and tombs of notable personalities. The Waldfriedhof is widely considered the first woodland cemetery.-Description:The Munich...
of 1907 in Germany, often mentioned as the first woodland cemetery, and Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is a cemetery located in the Enskededalen district south of central Stockholm, Sweden...
outside of Stockholm in Sweden which is declared a world heritage site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
.
The best-known woodland cemeteries are the large ones constructed by well-known architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s; however, there are also several woodland cemeteries in northernmost Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
that predate both Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is a cemetery located in the Enskededalen district south of central Stockholm, Sweden...
and the German Waldfriedhof style. The woodland cemetery in Karesuando
Karesuando
Karesuando is the northernmost locality situated in Kiruna Municipality, Norrbotten County, Sweden with 313 inhabitants in 2005....
in the northernmost municipality of the country, Kiruna Municipality
Kiruna Municipality
Kiruna Municipality is a municipality in Norrbotten County in northernmost Sweden. Its seat is located in Kiruna...
, was consecrated in 1816.
The avant-garde composer Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Another critic calls him "one of the great visionaries of 20th-century music"...
is buried in the woodland cemetery overlooking Kürten
Kürten
Kürten is a village and a municipality in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Neighbouring places:Nearby cities include Bergisch Gladbach, Overath, Wermelskirchen, and Wipperfürth...
.