A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Burial Practices

Written By dKay in Maine

After reviewing cemetery traditions across cultures and diving into burial laws in both Germany and the U.S., focusing on Maine, it's time to look at the different burial forms and how those in Germany compare with those in the U.S. and, more specifically, Maine. Additionally, we will look at how the culture around burials and cemeteries has changed over the last decades.

Earth Burials in Germany and Maine: Traditions and Differences

Growing up in Germany, the most common burial form was an Erdbestattung ("earth burial"), during which a human corpse is returned to the earth. But, just like in the U.S., the burial itself is only a fragment of the ceremony surrounding the actual act of burial. Before a funeral, a memorial service takes place inside a church. However, it doesn't always have to be in a church, with services taking place in funeral homes being quite popular as well. Once the ceremony concluded, the congregation walked outside to the grave site. There, the coffin was lowered into a grave, and family members and friends said their last goodbyes, usually accompanied by throwing a flower or soil into the open grave. The graves are differentiated according to elective and serial grave sites, and cemeteries are often divided into sections designated for different burial types, including family plots or anonymous burial plots. Overall, most German cemeteries typically have a more uniform layout focusing on maintaining aesthetics and a tranquil environment.

Once the last goodbye was said, the congregation dispersed and reunited a few minutes later at a church-affiliated community center to participate in what is known as the Leichenschmaus ("funeral feast"). In all honesty, the funeral feasts I participated in as a child always felt odd as I couldn't grasp how everyone was chatting and eating while we grieved the loss of someone we loved or deeply respected. While I haven't attended a funeral in a long time, my feelings about it haven't changed. However, I do understand that everyone grieves differently, and at times, it's best for those who buried a loved one to come together in an event that helps to add some normalcy to those mourning their loss.

As you can see in my previous article, "Resting in Peace, By the Book," Germany does have a Friedhofspflicht ("cemetery obligation"), requiring that all human remains be kept in an appropriate place like a grave, columbarium, or mausoleum, typically under municipal or church oversight. In contrast, Maine's earth burials are generally less restrictive than Germany's. For example, families may opt for burial on private property if approved by local authorities, and both embalming and vaults are often optional. Another difference is that in the U.S., ornate caskets are often used, while in Germany, relatively simple coffins that comply with environmental standards are used often. Funeral services may vary more in the U.S., with some families opting for a private approach, often holding viewings or services at funeral homes, followed by the burial, while funeral gatherings after a burial can be more informal.

The Role of Cremation: From Urns to Tree Burials

Another well-known burial form was and still is the Urnenbestattung ("urn burial"), during which the deceased's cremated remains are buried. While the ceremonies surrounding the burial might not differ, the gravesites differ, as urns must be buried in officially designated cemeteries or columbaria. This contrasts with U.S. practices, where cremated remains are not legally bound to cemeteries. While families, of course, can bury an urn or place it in a columbarium, they may also keep urns at home or scatter ashes in permitted areas. However, I never actually attended one as they weren't common in the areas I lived in. One reason could be that an urn burial is only possible after cremation, and the cremation itself requires explicit consent from the deceased via a will or their immediate family. Interestingly, though, across Germany, in 2021, 77% of all funerals in Germany took place with a cremation, but not necessarily in the form of an urn burial.

While the fact that urn burials are generally cheaper than earth burials, another reason for the increase could be a burial form established in the mid-1990s, the Baumbestattung ("tree burial"), also known as Waldbestattung ("forest burial"), during which biodegradable urns containing the ashes of a deceased are buried near the roots of a tree. While this is a relatively new form of burial in Germany, the numbers are increasing, leading to an increased number of burial forests across Germany. Compared to earth burials, Baumbestattungen don't require any grave care, but on the downside, they also don't allow for any marking of the burial side, such as a headstone, ornaments, candles, or the planting of flowers. To ensure that relatives can find the burial side of a loved one, the respective tree receives a plaque with an identifier.

Tree burials in Maine share similarities with Germany's Baumbestattungen; however, adding a discreet marker, such as a small plaque or natural stone, may be available near the tree. Some places limit markers to engraved stones or trees without plaques to preserve the natural look. The absence of headstones, ornaments, or decorations is common, keeping the area natural and low-maintenance, much like in Germany.

The Rise of Alternative Burials: Sea Burials, Diamonds, Sea Burials, and Beyond

Another burial form contributing to the increase in cremations in Germany could be the Seebestattung ("sea burial"). While it's not the most popular form, it increased over the last couple of years, and in 2018, sea burials made up approximately 20,000 burials annually. This allows those who feel a special love for the sea to be buried there upon their death. In the case of sea burials, the deceased has to be cremated, and the ashes are kept in a biodegradable urn and handed over to the sea at a designated location.

In contrast, Maine allows for sea burials of a body that must be prepared according to specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to ensure it sinks immediately and remains submerged. This can involve using a biodegradable shroud or weighted coffin. Additionally, ashes can be scattered at sea under similar distance requirements, at least three nautical miles from shore and in water at least 600 feet deep. Germany doesn't allow for scattering ashes at all.

But it doesn't stop with more or less traditional burials, meaning that a coffin or urn is buried. Especially since Germany doesn't allow for keeping the urn with the ashes of a loved one, which, in contrast, is allowed in the U.S., a new "burial" form came up recently: The Diamantenbestattung ("diamond burial"), which makes it possible to create a diamond from a small amount of someone's cremated ashes. The diamond can then be set in a piece of jewelry.

Diamond burials are available in the U.S. as well. However, they are usually described as Memorial Diamonds or Cremation Diamonds rather than traditional burials. The processes are similar to the ones in Germany, starting with the cremation of the deceased, extracting and purifying the carbon, and placing it in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment, replicating natural diamond formation. Once the diamond formed, it can be cut, polished, and set into jewelry.

Last but not least, there's another relatively young burial form in Germany, Rasenbestattungen ("lawn burials"), which focuses on simplicity and environmental considerations. This approach allows for the interment of human remains in a natural, landscaped setting without the traditional grave markers and headstones that often characterize conventional burials. Unlike traditional burials, where headstones or markers are used to identify individual graves, Rasenbestattungen generally do not permit visible markers. Instead, families may receive information that allows them to locate their loved ones' resting places. Rasenbestattungenmay be the closest to Maine's Green Burials, which emphasize simplicity, environmental sustainability, and the return to natural burial practices. This burial method avoids embalming, chemical treatments, and metal or varnished caskets, focusing instead on biodegradable materials and minimal environmental impact.

While the topic of burial forms and practices might seem morbid at first glance, exploring the diverse ways cultures honor their deceased loved ones reveals that we all share a common desire: to remember those we hold dear—one headstone, tree, or diamond at a time.

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dKay in Maine
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