Willem Verbeek

Review of Begraafplaats Heilig land stic...

As crazy as it may sound, but what beautiful and w...

As crazy as it may sound, but what beautiful and wonderful places cemeteries can be. The cemetery also sounds very different from a graveyard or crematorium. It is completely of a different order when the name is: Begraafpark Heilig Land Stichting.



I'm so glad I did this. From the moment I walk into the Office of this Foundation, I fall under the spell of this place and I never get out of it in the two hours that I have been here. Everything looks so well cared for, there is such a serene atmosphere, tall, large trees provide shade and coolness, ponds bordered by mossy stones with a stylized artificial tree in the middle that is reflected in the water, a little further a huge large cast iron clock hanging in a metal construction and large richly blooming rhododendrons everywhere.

I climb the stairs to the actual cemetery park. What immediately strikes me are the simple stone walls around the graves. They provide a sober atmosphere that fits very well in such a place. Most tombs are also quite austere and simple in decoration. Here little to none of the pompous or kitschy that you sometimes see. Here too there are large, tall, old massive trees, slender cypresses, flowering shrubs, many kinds of flowers and always rhododendrons.

Every now and then I sit on the benches that have been placed in the right places, so that I take a moment to take a good look around me. And to contemplate of course or just think about those who are no longer there but are still in my head. Can I of course do it at home or anywhere, it feels different here. It seems as if everyone is already here, old, young, rich, poor, without distinction, and everyone will still be here in the future. Those are those certainties that help me.

So, this seems to me to be contemplated and philosophized enough for today. I dribble around a bit, study another statue left and right, a grave, read another wise saying from this or that prophet from the bible and make my way to the exit. With my cheerful heart I feel quite a bit edifying, holy and Closer to You.