Being buried in nature is popular, which is why De Velden nature cemetery in Westervelde, North Drenthe, wants to expand. Owner Hans Tonckens hopes to convert an additional 2.5 hectares of his own land into a cemetery.
Tonckens would have preferred to have himself buried in his garden. “I couldn’t, but I could start a cemetery adjacent to my garden.” And so it happened. In 2019, Tonckens transformed 7 hectares of land into a nature cemetery. With that he already has room for a sloppy 2100 graves. “900 of them have already been reserved and there are now about 90 people. So I’m not in a hurry to expand yet.”
But in the long term, Tonckens will feel that urgency. “I honestly thought I’d have enough room to dig for the next 100 years, but at this rate that’s not the case.” With an expansion of 2.5 hectares, the Westervelder can already record 700 extra graves in the long term.
The fact that burial in nature is so popular, according to Tonckens, has to do with the eternal grave rest that is promised. “You buy a place for eternity and you are also surrounded by nature.”
That appeals, he thinks. “In the region, even as far as Leek and Roden, people want to be buried here. It is really popular. With this cemetery I am meeting a social wish. The reactions I get are always positive.”
Tonckens carries out the maintenance of the cemetery himself. “There is still something involved. This is how you have to maintain the paths and roads.”
Tonckens already owns the land required for the expansion. “The only thing that needs to be done is a zoning change. That is up to the municipality. Noordenveld.”
The mayor and aldermen are positive about the expansion in Westervelde. The city council will have to make a decision on this at a later date.