Zvolen to have Slovakia’s first natural cemetery

The country's first natural cemetery, named the Memorial Garden, is planned for the central Slovak town of Zvolen, with a public discussion taking place on Wednesday evening in the Old Town Hall. According to the project's creators, the goal is to create a place in which respect for the departed and respect for nature will be combined. "The natural environment also has its therapeutic and symbolic significance, which can help mourners get through grievances," says Andrea Uherková from the organisation CEEV Živica, which is implementing the project in cooperation with the town of Zvolen, the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Studies at Zvolen Technical University, and the Czech organisation Ke kořenům (to the roots). "The bodies or ashes of the deceased shall be buried under a crown of trees or a flower bed. A plantation of herbaceous plants, woods and shrubs is necessary to transform the site into a natural cemetery. Furthermore, we wish to create an art space place which will also serve as a place to light candles. To make the space more comfortable, we'll also place benches made by local carvers," the developers added.