On Saturday 21 October more than 2000 people attended the open day of the new ‘Krematorium Memmingen’ (Bayern, aprox. 150 km west of München). This crematorium is the first crematorium of ‘the Facultatieve Group’ in Germany and was officially opened the day before. The building process started in April of this year.
Opening
The official opening of Krematorium Memmingen – the revelation of the sculpture ‘der Wind’ – was performed by Dr. Ivo Holziger, Oberbürgermeister of the city of Memmingen and Claus Dieter Wulf, Präsident Bundesverband Deutscher Bestatter. Just before that, Krematorium Memmingen was blessed by the priests Kurt Kräß and Siegbert Schindele.
Open Day
With over 2000 visitors, the Open Day held on the following day (21st October) was attended better than expected. “This evidently shows how much interest in cremating there is in Bayern as well”, says Henry Keizer, President of the Executive Office of ‘the Facultatieve Group’. “During the several guided tours we saw that people are interested in all aspects regarding a cremation. Of course they are interested in the technical things but mostly also in the possibilities we can offer to form a ceremony in Krematorium Memmingen. Families can be present in a special room while the coffin is placed in the cremator. This takes place already in other countries but is new in Germany.
In general there was a very positive feeling to this new Krematorium but the visitors were also very pleasantly surprised with the fact that every deceased is cremated within 24 hours after the ceremony. This means that the placing of the urn can take place a lot quicker as well.
Henry Keizer: “For the first time in our 132-year existence we have built a crematorium outside the Netherlands which we will even operate ourselves. In former times the operation of a crematorium in Germany was reserved for the government. In a few Bond states, including Bayern, the law has been revised.”
From the year-long experience within ‘the Facultatieve Group’ all knowledge is contributed to make sure that cremation ceremonies in Krematorium Memmingen are performed in a stately way. Everything will be done to offer an optimal service, with a personal approach as a principle. It is after all about the wishes of the deceased and the next of kin.
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