I don't go to cemeteries on a day like present (1.11). Death, grave and cemetery are an expression of memory, culture and spirituality for me. In Polish cemeteries, spirituality and culture are not visible. Tande and ugly tombstones with chrysanthemum – a null frenzy on November 1st, consist of a organization for the surviving to which memory of the dead is an addition, an excuse or just a prop. They seem to be more authentic in this respect, where pagan relics of leaving food on graves and even drinking alcohol for remembering the dead have been preserved in memory of the dead. At least there's no hypertrophy over content.
When I was president, I wondered what the cemetery was present and what it should be. It was a hard problem starting with the tombstone tart, but rather time-resistant, through the problem of the expansion of the cemetery and the deficiency of areas for its expansion, ending with issues of how much it costs and who pays for it. My attitude towards these problems was and is the intersection of the free marketplace approach with the belief that the cemetery and the grave are crucial adequate parts of our tradition, culture and yet identity that they should be subject to advanced aesthetic requirements. In my imagination, I planned to build in a cemetery in Stalowa Wola columbarium, which would match a park alternatively than a contemporary cemetery. The Colombia was to be bunk with sculptures, suitable greenery and night lighting. Why shouldn't the cemetery be a place to think, reminisce, or even rest, and why should knowing that there are dead people next to it interfere? Of course, the cemetery does not request to be a work of art, but all the considerations I mentioned earlier, namely spirituality, culture and identity, consisting of memory and respect for the dead, even require that the work of art be brought near. Today, cemeteries in cities specified as Stalowa Wola are – whether anyone wants it or not – a representation of the level of the aforementioned values. Most of it's bad. Of course the cemetery – a park with advanced aesthetic qualities costs. And here I decision on to the free marketplace approach of this problem.
Many may find it contrary to the free marketplace treatment of burials and the appearance of cemeteries with spirituality and culture. I think that this is the case for the fact that in Poland we have a tradition in which a ceremony and a grave are things that do not belong to talk about money. It's specified hypocrisy. Everyone knows how much funerals, coffins, wreaths, priest or alleged master of ceremonies cost. Paradoxically, Catholic priests administer parish cemeteries more frequently than local authorities manage municipal cemeteries. It's like if they bury someone, put a stonestone gravestone or another material on him, he can stand and stand for small money. I don't want to be misunderstood, but a grave like this is nothing little than a real property with all the financial consequences. But this aspect, neither the municipal authorities managing cemeteries, nor the owners (well, do the owners, or who?) of graves do not see or even understand.
Another problem arises, which is to what degree should cemeteries grow? Many cities are moving out of land. I thought years ago and now that cremation must become mandatory. A coffin burial is already a luxury and like any luxury must be expensive. So whoever wants to lie comfortably must pay dearly. I remember erstwhile I was president, erstwhile I was warned and threatened by bishops, erstwhile I was pushing the construction of a body incinerator in Stalowa Wola. I was so convinced of the request of this institution that the city guaranteed credit to a company that wanted to build and run incinerators. The investment came actual and, as far as I know, the owner does not contribute to it.
What I wrote above is that you can make parks of cemeteries that can and should make money due to the fact that they satisfy the vital request of the inhabitants. Modern cities can boast of historical cemeteries. And why should tourists not attract modern cemeteries that are parks, or possibly works of art that make money for themselves?
Andrzej Szlezak
