We had 2 main goals in the project: OBJECTIVE 1. To educate and provide know-how to selected cemetery administrations and management in both countries in order to apply changes towards the sustainability of cemeteries with regard to supporting biodiversity, adapting to climate change, applying the principles of respect for nature as well as people. We wanted to support stakeholders from both countries who have an impact on the creation and management of cemeteries in creating them as places closer to nature, environmentally friendly, and at the same time respectful of visitors. As one of the outputs, real changes in specific cemeteries were also planned. OBJECTIVE 2. To educate the public in the area of waste reduction and the ecological footprint of cemeteries. The goal was to educate the general public and create an information awareness campaign in the period before All Saints' Day to help reduce the ecological footprint of cemeteries directly by their visitors, as well as to create long-term habits of how to approach grave decoration differently, more sustainably. And the ultimate goal is to educate both groups so that we move towards nature-closer cemeteries in the Slovak and Czech Republic.
Classic cemeteries are spaces where our last ecological footprint is created and have a significant impact on the environment. At the same time, they are an area that is not given much attention, as the area of death is still taboo. Many cemetery stakeholders are open to changes, but don't know how to do it. The public also reflects on this topic, especially during the All Saints Day period, when cemeteries generate almost half of the annual waste production. Public pressure for change is starting to grow and many are interested in looking for eco-alternatives, but they don't know which ones are suitable. Therefore, we felt the need to focus especially on this period and bring inspiration, educate on how to approach them and cemeteries in a more gentle way. As both participating organizations, we have been independently engaged in projects for a few years now, the aim of which is to make cemeteries more sensitive to nature and to people. We are convinced that cemeteries and burial movement are areas that should not be bypassed by nature-friendly alternatives, and even small steps can make a big difference - even more so when we join forces and share the know-how of both countries.