The new urn garden, opened on the eve of All Saints' Day, is conceived as a natural, green burial place where only biodegradable urns can be interred. The garden is thematically organized around the four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – featuring a central tree of life made of corten steel as a communal memorial spot. Each of the four zones boasts specific plantings suited to its season, ensuring the garden's appearance evolves throughout the year.
Mourners can place an urn in the zone corresponding to the season in which the deceased passed away. The urn garden is exclusively for biodegradable urns, crafted from natural materials that decompose in the soil over time. To maintain the natural ambiance, individual nameplates, floral arrangements, ornaments, or other personal items on the graves are not permitted. Nameplates shaped like leaves will be attached to the tree of life for each deceased individual.
Adjacent to the urn garden, a separate farewell zone has been established. This area is designated for relatives to gather peacefully for a farewell or memorial service. The zone can be utilized for urn burials, ash scattering, memorial moments at the 'meadow of stars,' and even for services preceding traditional casket burials. Thus, the urn garden serves not only as a final resting place but also as a green space for those left behind to remember and find peace.
The landscaping of the urn garden, including benches, flower meadows, trees, and shrubs, was carried out by the in-house staff of the Maldegem local administration. They are also responsible for its ongoing maintenance, ensuring the garden remains a well-kept and green memorial site throughout the seasons while simultaneously supporting biodiversity.
Further practical information regarding the urn garden and its regulations is available on the Maldegem local administration's website.
