Framtidens begravningsplatser : en historisk tillbakablick, dagssituationen och visioner för framtidens gestaltningsuttryck

Abstract: The purpose of this article is partly to find out how the burial grounds are used today and the needs of its visitors, but also to develop the character and expression of future burial grounds. My suggestions focus on burial grounds without religious attributes; something that, according to the burial law (Begravningslagen, 1990:1144), the manager of the burial ground is ordered to obey. In my design I aim to fulfill any requests regarding the place of burial that have been raised during my study. I have chosen the history of burial grounds as my starting point and will subsequently discuss their significance in today's society. I describe what distinguishes the burial ground throughout history from medieval times and onwards. Tradition and religion are closely linked regarding burial rituals. As the Swedish churchyard has a long Christian tradition it has at times felt necessary to introduce certain Christian aspects. I have also briefly explored how religion can express itself in today's secularized society. One important aspect I have noted is how the burial place can be used by the grieving and those in crisis and how it's been used as a place fore memorial. Literature documenting the importance of nature's healing properties and their effect on a person's sacred experiences is therefore an important part of this article. The article is founded on literature studies, interviews and study visits to burial grounds. With this knowledge base as my source of inspiration I have formed three burial grounds. Through my studies I have seen two clear aspects in the development of burial ground expressions; monumental memorials with strong architectural influences and the nature-like burial ground, which is created by enhancing nature's prerequisites to develop a sacred place. Often makes those to aspects used together un strongly sacred place. By the end of this article I will have presented three suggestions for the burial ground of the future. In the first proposition I have given form to an expansion of a pre-existing churchyard, using real prerequisites. The proposition is a traditional design with modern functions. The later suggestions are nonplace- specific concept sketches created from imagined environments; Trösteriket - an indoor burial place and Omfamning - monument by water.