Table of contents
- Modern grave design
- planning
- Grave design with gravel
- Grave design with plants
- care & maintenance
- Conclusion
In today's modern grave design, new paths are being taken that clearly stand out from the traditional design elements. While a homogeneous appearance was the norm in the past, asymmetrical lines and unusual plant varieties are now in demand. In addition, most people do not have enough time left to attend to the grave and its care often. Easy-care, densely growing and evergreen plant varieties are therefore becoming increasingly popular in combination with gravel, burial shells and natural stones. This way, annoying weeds don't stand a chance.
Modern grave design
The modern grave design is defined by a combination of different and varied design elements. In the traditional grave design, the ornamental value was the top priority, with the maintenance effort being relatively high. The modern variant is about a pure design and easier care. In the center of a grave there is usually a gravestone, traditionally shaped and polished stones were used for it. Nowadays, this gravestone is replaced by sculptures, rough natural stones, metal grave crosses and grave pillars, which give the grave a modern touch. The border around the grave, which has been customary up to now and is made of the same material as the gravestone, is being replaced in many places by the use of plants:
- Rely on natural and flowing components
- Asymmetrical arrangements on the grave surface are modern
- Place gravestones and grave crosses in the middle of the grave instead of at the end
- Large natural stones create islands of calm in the grave area
- Replace the stone grave border with small and evergreen hedge plants
- Instead of uniform, it is better to combine different types of stone with each other
- Special effects are achieved through the unusual structures of the individual elements
- Height differences in the plants and the stones
- Mix of flowers and shrubs
- Planted grave shells that can be adjusted to the season
planning
In order for the modern grave design to be successful, it should be well planned before starting work. There are many factors to consider in this context, the most important of which are the fixed rules of the respective cemetery regulations. Changes made afterwards involve a not inconsiderable amount of work and additional costs. In addition, the grave should also fit the deceased to honor their last wishes. The following criteria must be taken into account:
- Review Cemetery Regulations
- Explore the orientation, size and location of the grave
- Note the design of the nearby graves
- Determine the format and color of the grave
- Specify the size and shape of the border
- Explore the texture and weight of the stones
- Research soil quality and light conditions
- Record free time for care work and existing budget
- Create true-to-scale sketches, initially with various ideas for the design
Grave design with gravel
Gravel is increasingly replacing the soil on graves because this material is easier to handle and requires less maintenance. Pebbles colored white in particular look classy and bring out the rich colors of the selected plants. The great advantage of gravel is that life is made difficult for weeds and moss, as the supply of oxygen and light is interrupted. There is a wide range of different types of gravel in specialist shops, which can be perfectly adapted to the respective grave site:
- Pebbles are available in white, grey, colored and in subtle natural tones
- Dig the desired area about 20-25 cm deep
- Remove all dead matter (weeds and roots) and stones
- Lay robust fleece under the gravel so that weeds cannot grow back
- Apply gravel all over the desired areas
- Recesses for the gravestone that leave plants, grave bowls and grave lights
- Pebbles can be laid out in interesting shapes and patterns
- Form shapes with larger stones, e.g. B. Circles or diamonds, and fill with gravel
- Order a sufficient amount of gravel, determine with the requirement calculator in the specialist trade
- Lay gravel around the grave as well to keep out weeds
Grave design with plants
The ground covers are the classic grave plants, there is a wide range of varieties to choose from, with ivy and heather still being very popular. For the modern grave design there are also many, mostly rather unknown plants that give the grave a new ambience. Many cemeteries are laid out as a kind of park, so the graves are often in the shade under tree-lined avenues. Therefore, when buying new plants, you should always pay attention to their requirements for the location. Evergreen and late-flowering plants decorate the grave with colorful accents even in winter; a mixture of early and late-flowering plants is ideal. When the late flowering period is over, the other plants on the grave will start flowering again in spring and summer. In this way, the grave shines in a great bloom all year round. Seasonal and mostly uncomplicated flowering plants provide a nice variety and fresh color accents. In addition, when planting graves, plants with a symbolic character are very popular, which express not only the feelings of the mourners, but also the personality traits of the dead describe. For larger graves, trees and shrubs can also be used for the grave design and pulled and cut into the desired shape:
- With evergreen ground covers, the grave looks great all year round
- Ground cover plants that tolerate partial to full shade: succulent plant, ivy, stonecrop, hazel root, evergreen honeysuckle, Mühlenbeckia, spindle shrub, star moss, Ysander, cotoneaster
- Optimal for the winter: red carpet berry, maximum 15 cm high, red flowers from October to May
- Ground cover for sunny locations: lilac cushions, prickly nuts, low-growing roses, thyme, juniper, woolly ziest
- Plants for moist soil conditions: Jacob's ladder, pennywort, checkered lily, Siberian iris, marsh iris, daylily
- Seasonal flowering plants: cyclamen, begonias, chrysanthemums, autumn asters, petunias, snow heather, pansies, marigolds, violets
- Symbolic plants: Commemorative Plants, Hanging Kitten Willow, Thuja Tree of Life, Lily, Cowslip, Bleeding Heart, Forget-Me-Not
- Trees and Shrubs: Blue-grey Dwarf Cypress, Dwarf Blue Juniper, Boxwood, Japanese Maple, Japanese Azalea, Columnar Yew and all evergreen berry shrubs
- A mix of unusual types of plants gives the grave a modern ambience
Tip:
When arranging the plants, leave some gaps and decorate them with grave bowls and grave lamps. This loosens up the overall picture and creates a harmonious impression.
care & maintenance
When planting, it is important to ensure that the selected varieties are reasonably tolerates drought, so longer breaks in care and sunny locations are better be tolerated. In addition, the grave soil in most cemeteries tends to be sandy and tends to dry out. Flowers must be watered sufficiently during dry weather conditions so that the blossoming can last for a long time, which is why flower graves are particularly high-maintenance. If you only have little time, you should rely on evergreen and undemanding plants:
- Densely growing ground cover and laid out gravel prevent unsightly weed growth
- Ivy grows fast and grows beyond all limits, remember to cut back in good time
- If there is little time for care, colored bark mulch is an easy-care alternative to ground covers
- Water and care for flowering plants regularly
- Absolutely avoid waterlogging
- Thoroughly remove rotten flower and other plant parts
- Remove dry leaves, this work is particularly important in autumn
- Create grave area storm-proof, must be able to withstand strong gusts of wind
- Anchor the tombstone, grave bowls and grave lamps securely and theft-proof
Tip:
In order to facilitate the care of the grave site, stepping stones can be laid on the grave surface, which allow easier access to all areas.
Conclusion
In modern grave design, new accents are set that differ greatly from the traditional design elements. Instead of uniform and symmetrical shapes, asymmetrical lines are finding their way into graves today. The tombstone no longer has to be at the end of the grave and be perfectly hewn, but may be placed in the middle and consist of an untreated natural stone. Using gravel to design the resting place reduces maintenance and suppresses weed growth in the long term. In addition, shapely structures can be created with pebbles in different colours, shapes and sizes. When planting, the focus is also on reducing the amount of care required, undemanding and robust flowers, trees and shrubs are in demand. Evergreen and hardy plants make the grave look attractive all year round and also forgive a longer break in maintenance.
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