Back to Nature
The Story of a Forward-Looking Decision in the town of Bad Wonder
As early as 2020, the town of Bad Wonder took a bold step toward grief work and sustainability by
switching to the promission burial method. This decision went hand in hand with a comprehensive
redesign of the existing cemeteries, which were transformed into blooming parks and green spaces.
The city council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing that the cemeteries on Elysium Street,
on the eastern edge of town, and on Stefan-Windler Street had become too large for the actual burial
needs. Their conversion into green oases allowed nature to reclaim its space and promote biodiversity –
an important step for the town of Bad Wonder, which has long been a pioneer in environmental protection.
Cremation and earth burials, which were associated with significant environmental impacts and were
already rarely used, were discontinued in May 2020. With a resolution passed on April 15, 2020, the
town of Bad Wonder switched completely to promission. Until 2022, the mortal remains obtained through
freeze-drying could be placed in a compostable urn and buried in the cemetery on Elysium Street or in
one‘s own garden. Within six to twelve months, the urn and remains decomposed into valuable humus.
Those who wished could even have the remains of their loved ones buried together with tree seeds.
The remaining graves in our cemetery were leveled over the following months, and the town of Bad Wonder
assumed full responsibility for the maintenance of the now naturalized areas.
This not only preserves a dignified memory of the deceased but also creates a place that relieves
relatives and visitors of the burden of grave maintenance, allowing them valuable time for mourning
and reflection. With this decision, the town of Bad Wonder has created a forward-looking and sustainable
solution for dealing with death – a place where remembrance lives in harmony with nature.