Ágnes Sallay 2024

Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary

Multi-functional use of cemeteries based on information from websites and managers [v]

The functions and tasks of cemeteries, especially urban cemeteries, have changed fundamentally in recent decades. In addition to the former almost exclusive functions of burial, memorialisation and cultural history, functions linked to the relatively large green areas of urban park cemeteries have been developed, and city dwellers have started to use cemeteries in a similar way to parks (see recreational and tourist use), which has also had an impact on the operation of cemeteries. In our previous research, we found that the primary function of cemeteries (resting place of the dead, memorial site) has not changed, but that secondary (green infrastructure, climate protection, cultural heritage protection) and tertiary (education, tourism, recreation, community building) functions have emerged. During our research, we typically have looked at the websites of ASCE member cemeteries in Europe in terms of multifunctional use, and experienced that the information content of each cemetery website differs significantly. In this phase of our research, we contacted several European cemetery operators to complete our questionnaire more detailed regarding multifunctional use. As a result of the completion of the questionnaire, we were able to compare the content of the websites and the information contained in the questionnaire for several cemeteries. By comparing the two research results, we could draw conclusions about the extent to which the operation of the cemeteries is reflected in their websites and the extent to which their website helps to inform the users of the cemeteries about its multifunctional use.

Events

The Cemetery Research Group runs two events a year: in May and in November. Follow the links and send in an abstract