Luxembourg’s first park for mourning has been officially opened in Schifflange, marking a new approach to bereavement support in the country. The pilot project, supported by the association Trauerwee ASBL, draws inspiration from similar initiatives abroad but is a first for Luxembourg.
The park for mourning could be mistaken for a playground at first glance due to features such as a small hut for quiet contemplation, a climbing net, and wooden beams to walk across.
However, it is not a playground, but a carefully designed space where people of all ages can process their grief and connect with others experiencing loss.
The idea is to offer an alternative to cemeteries, which are often seen as uninviting places, by providing an environment where visitors can engage in meaningful activities, such as painting on wooden discs and leaving them in the park, which can be especially helpful during difficult moments.
Trauerwee ASBL supports families, children, and young people coping with the loss of someone important to them, recognising that everyone experiences grief differently.
Small rituals, like painting on wooden discs, are considered important because they offer stability and security when words are hard to find, helping people deal with their emotions in a tangible way.
While the concept of a park for mourning exists abroad, particularly in Germany, this pilot project is the first of its kind in Luxembourg. The idea was brought to Trauerwee ASBL by a student who encountered such a park during her studies.
The aim is to create a space near the cemetery where people can stay longer and reflect, particularly for those who may not feel comfortable visiting a grave or whose loved one’s grave is not in Luxembourg. The park for mourning is open to everyone, offering the freedom to mourn in one’s own way.
It took two years for the project to move from concept to completion. Many of the park’s elements were hand-crafted by municipal workers from Schifflange using wood sourced from the local forest. The total cost of the park came to around €40,000.
A distinctive feature of the park is a letterbox, spray-painted by artist Raphael Gindt, where visitors can leave symbolic letters or drawings addressed to those they have lost.
Trauerwee ASBL collects these contributions, planning to regularly gather, burn, and scatter them at the base of a tree in the park, creating a ritual for those coping with grief.
Beyond its practical uses, the park for mourning serves an important symbolic role within the community. Its visible presence encourages people to reflect on grief and loss, and raises awareness that death is a part of everyone’s life.
Trauerwee ASBL also works to promote a better understanding of grief in society, advocating for a more compassionate approach.
The association recommends that people simply reach out to those who are grieving without judgement, acknowledging that for someone in mourning, everyday life may feel as though it has come to a halt while the world keeps moving around them.
