Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This essay examines the criteria for a peaceful cemetery. First there is a short history of the Swedish funeral place. After that follows the definitions of a peaceful place according to environmental psychology. From these definitions an analysis method is constructed for identifying a peaceful cemetery. The analysis method contains six criteria, shape of the entrances, existence of sound, vegetation character, the cemetery’s demarcation, the cemetery’s management and what feeling the cemetery mediates.

The analysis method is put into practice on three cemeteries, Överklinten cemetery, Stockholm forest cemetery and the old cemetery in Malmö. The results are then put together and show that the two most important criteria for a peaceful place are vegetation and sound. Are these two criteria not fulfilled the cemetery is not a peaceful place.

The simplest step to take is to change the vegetation since it has with the actual area to do. Most of the cemeteries have grounds which are not used for burying. These places can be of use for planting shrubs and trees to increase the quality of the vegetation. It is much more difficult to change the sound because the noise often has its origin outside the cemetery. The only way to change the sound is to shut of the cemetery with some kind of shield.