What role does the cemetery play for Generations Z and Y? We explore this question, among others, in STEIN 11/24. Here’s a preview: It needs to be reimagined. Churches are also undergoing change; in the face of rising numbers of people leaving the church, some have been converted into residential buildings. Architecturally appealing and a real asset in places like Eltville and Trier. What helps during times of upheaval are good ideas. To that end, we feature a cemetery in Berlin that offers grave sponsorships so that old graves can still be maintained and restored.
Generations Y and Z see it as a place of renewed hope and social well-being. We’re talking about the cemetery. Its future role was the subject of a fascinating panel discussion during this year’s Stone+tec. Futurist Matthias Horx summarizes the outcome: “It’s time to rethink cemeteries as a whole: as spaces that serve people, offering a place for saying goodbye and for community.” This is a task for everyone who deals with death, grief, and the process of coming to terms with them.
Cemeteries for the New Generation
This also involves keeping an eye on costs. In Berlin, for example, the Alte St. Matthäus Kirchhof is a protected historic site. The cemetery is now seeking sponsors to take care of the old gravesites, maintain and restore them, and eventually find their final resting place there themselves. This can be quite expensive in some cases. Our author, Inge Pett, visited the site, touring the cemetery and meeting some of its famous “residents.” She spoke with the association that came up with the idea for this extraordinary project. Read more about it starting on page 6.
Working for Your Own Grave
Churches in Germany also need to be viewed from different perspectives. In light of the steadily rising number of people leaving the church, both the Catholic and Protestant churches must find new ways to deal with their abandoned places of worship. One option is to convert them into living spaces. You can find out how this is being done from a structural standpoint starting on page 22.
Nature, too, has a repertoire of ongoing transformation processes that span long periods of time. Our natural stone expert, Detlev Hill, explains how fissure quartzite becomes block quartzite starting on page 52.
A New Look for Churches
Clean air and clean water are desirable in every stonemason’s workshop. However, this isn’t always easy to guarantee in the workshop. Air purification systems and water treatment plants provide a solution. Our machinery expert Michael Spohr explains what you should look for when making a purchase starting on page 32.
We hope you enjoy reading STEIN.
The STEIN Editorial Team Redaktion@stein-magazin.de
The magazine is availablehere!
In our latest issue, 10/24, we cover the Marmomac trade show. Read more about it here.
Keeping Air and Water Clean
What role do cemeteries play for Generations Z and Y? We explore this question, among others, in STEIN 11/24. Here’s a preview: They need to be reimagined. Churches are also undergoing change; in the face of rising numbers of people leaving the church, some have been converted into residential buildings. Architecturally appealing and a real asset in places like Eltville and Trier. What helps during times of upheaval are good ideas. To that end, we’re featuring a cemetery in Berlin that offers grave sponsorships so that old graves can still be maintained and restored. […]
