Waiting for final rest: Cologne family fights for burial in the columbarium

Waiting for final rest: Cologne family fights for burial in the columbarium

Delays in burials in the Cologne Columbarium: Ursula Huf feels let down

In Cologne-Weiß, the unbroken demand for alternative forms of burial is a topic of conversation. However, a family is faced with an emotional dilemma: Ursula Huf expresses her displeasure about the delays in the burial of her late mother-in-law. The deceased, who took her last breath in March, had explicitly spoken out against burial in the ground. Instead, she wanted a resting place in a columbarium, an increasingly popular place of remembrance and mourning. The thought that the mother-in-law's urn has been with the undertaker for over six weeks has become a bitter reality for the bereaved. In this case, the funerals were supposed to take place in the new columbarium in the old funeral hall, but the construction project is plagued by delays. The opening was originally planned for 2023, but those responsible encountered bureaucratic hurdles and technical problems, such as broken window panes and water ingress, which have so far held up the project

As the Review online reports, it's not just the Hufs who are facing the problem that their funeral has been postponed several times - first from the end of April to mid-May and now to June 13th. Michael Brodesser, a local undertaker, confirmed that numerous other urns are also awaiting burial. The lack of information from the responsible authorities causes incomprehension and dissatisfaction among relatives, who would like more communication and support during this difficult time. Ursula Huf and her family have therefore sent a letter to the mayor, but have not yet received a response.

The challenge of funeral culture

The burial culture in Germany is changing noticeably - this is not only shown by the case of the Huf family. Columbaria, which are becoming increasingly important as modern resting places, offer numerous advantages. They are particularly popular in urban areas as they are a space-saving solution. As the Mymoria notes, burial in a columbarium is not only considered more cost-effective, but it also eliminates the high maintenance costs often associated with traditional burial sites. The urns are stored in small niches that fit well into the cemetery landscape.

Despite the practical advantages, columbaria are not without their pitfalls. The scope for creativity is limited - not every relative can give the place of mourning a personal touch. In addition, some people gain emotional distance during the funeral in this way. Burial in the columbarium requires cremation, which leaves some families with a decision – is this the right choice for their loved one?

A look into history

The columbarium has a long history that dates back to ancient times. These burial sites were already found in the Roman Empire and were mostly used as a cost-effective alternative for slaves and the socially disadvantaged. As the Page at the end of life As explained, columbaria were rediscovered in the 20th century, especially since the increase in cremations. Today, many people appreciate the advantages of this form of burial: space savings, lower follow-up costs and a well-kept resting place. Nevertheless, the bereaved must be prepared to deal with the possible emotions and the lack of individual creative options.

According to reports, the Hufs are considering whether to move the burial to another columbarium, for example in Bonn. So the question remains: How will dealing with the deceased mother-in-law continue and what prospects does the family have while they wait for answers and solutions in this difficult time?