Module 1
Death in Europe – An Overview of Funerary and Cemetery Cultures on Our Continent
Europe is a cultural space thousands of years old, marked by both diversity and shared traditions. In folklore and cultural anthropology, funerary culture plays a significant role. For the past 2,000 years, European burial practices have been shaped by Christianity, but they are now diversifying again under the influence of atheism and non-Christian religions. The Museum for Sepulchral Culture in Kassel is Germany’s only museum dedicated to funerary and cemetery culture, exploring the significance and societal role of death from both social and philosophical perspectives. During a visit and guided tour of the museum, participants will reflect on these themes, drawing on their own experiences and observations.
Note: Renovation work at the museum may begin in September 2026. If so, changes to the content or organization of the visit may be necessary.
Module 2
Death and Art – A Hike in the Habichtswald and Tour of the Kassel Artists’ Necropolis
At some point, most artists confront the question of whether their works will endure beyond their own lifetimes. Kassel-based artist and art professor Harry Kramer addressed this question through a unique artistic project: the Artists’ Necropolis in the Habichtswald. Here, up to 40 artists are invited to create their own (artistic) tombs during their lifetimes and be buried on-site. Kramer spent over a decade bringing this extraordinary project to life. Since 1993, the necropolis has been slowly but steadily expanding within the dense forests on the edge of the Blue Lake. The visit and tour of the necropolis will be combined with a hike through the Hohen Habichtswald.