To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Westgaarde Crematorium in Amsterdam, a public information day is organised. A so-called open day. The idea is that young and old can discover what a crematorium has to offer and how it all works.
Entering the beautiful green complex on the edge of Amsterdam, the visitors are welcomed by funeral music preformed by the ‘Westgaarde’ orchestra and choir. The day is opened by a famous TV presenter and plans for a Ajax-scatter-field for the ashes (piece of grass from the play-ground in the former Ajax stadium) are unveiled.
A walking route or train leads the visitors through the complex where examples of graves and urns are displayed and funeral artists present their creations and future idea’s. Highlights of the day are the breathtaking laser-ceremony-service, based on ‘almost death experiences’ and the guided tour through the cellars where the ovens are based.
Innovation in the Dutch funeral branch: breaking down taboos for day trippers. A ARD Tagesthemen reportage.
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