Ohlsdorf Cemetery

Explorations of the largest rural cemetery in the world. 

Ohlsdorf Cemetery, located in the suburbs of Hamburg, Germany, is the largest rural cemetery in the world and the fourth largest cemetery of any kind. Let’s just say this place is massive.

The first true rural cemetery was Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, founded in 1804. However, rural cemeteries really came into vogue in the United States, starting in the 1830s. Up to that point, most cemeteries were next to a church or were only for people belonging to a specific church or organization. Rural cemeteries were not attached to a single group, although groups can have their own sections of the cemetery. No more crowded churchyards, there is now room for large burial plots for entire families.

Rural cemeteries are meant to resemble a park. They were usually placed in an undeveloped area outside cities, although now city sprawl often reach their gates. If there wasn’t any tombstones, you wouldn’t even think it was a cemetery. Rural cemeteries in the United States tend to be more manicured than those in Europe. Germany has taken the “look like a park” to the next level.

Germany’s cemeteries operate a bit different than those in the United States and even the rest of Europe. Most burial plots are rented for a specific amount of time, 20 years or more. If the lease for the plot is not renewed, the tombstone will be removed and the plot released. The previous tenants may still be there. A way around this is the renew the lease or keep buying family members in the same plot (extremely common throughout Europe). However, this practice is starting to fade because cremation has left many plots unleased.

Ohlsdorf is extremely large. I was there for about 6 hours and maybe covered a third. There are over 10 mi (17 km) of roads and that doesn’t include all the foot paths. It’s 2.4 mi (3.8 km) long, with an average width of about 1 mi (1.5 km). In short, the photos below only show a small fraction of what I saw, which is a fraction of the cemetery as a whole.

Ohlsdorf Cemetery is located in the suburbs of Hamburg. It’s easily reached by train from the city center or the airport. If you decide to go, make sure to bring some food. You’re going to be there for awhile.

Check out my next update where I am back in the Appalachians of Georgia!

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Start at the beginning of this European adventure!

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Check out more cemeteries and tombs!