70

Grave Sites

Opening context: Life Cycle, Identifiable Neighborhood, Holy Ground, Common Land

Conflict

No people who turn their backs on death can be alive. The presence of the dead among the living will be a daily fact in any society which encourages its people to live.

Resolution

Never build massive cemeteries. Instead, allocate pieces of land throughout the community as grave sites — corners of parks, sections of paths, gardens, beside gateways — where memorials to people who have died can be ritually placed with inscriptions and mementos which celebrate their life.

Give each grave site an edge, a path, and a quiet corner where people can sit. By custom, this is hallowed ground.

Closing context:
Quiet Backs, Tree Places, Seat Spots