Why not remember those who found their final resting place at Crematorium Westerveld? This place stands as one of the oldest private cemeteries in the Netherlands. It holds a unique position in Dutch death culture.
Crematorium Westerveld is situated in a vast dune landscape. It is officially recognized as a bird sanctuary. This special location marks a historical turning point. It is the seat of the cremation movement in the Netherlands.
In the 17th century, the Westerveld country estate was owned by a rich Amsterdam family. In 1888, the site was purchased to serve as a cemetery. Landscape architect Louis Paul Zocher adapted the park for its new purpose. Zocher is also known for his design of the Vondelpark in Amsterdam.
Westerveld was from the start a cemetery for all faiths. This was quite special at the time. It laid the groundwork for today’s general cemeteries.
The crematorium became famous as Crematorium Velsen. The crematorium was built in 1913. Marius Poel designed it. The first cremation took place on April 1, 1914. The cremation of physician C.J. Vaillant was meant to provoke a test case. However, prosecution never occurred. Cremation was tolerated. It wasn’t until 1955 that cremation became legal in the Netherlands.
Willem Marinus Dudok played an important role in Westerveld’s history. He designed the second cremation auditorium. He also created an urn and several columbaria. Dudok likely modernized the interior of the auditorium around 1926.
Westerveld has six columbaria. Willem Dudok designed four of these. He also designed a series of uniform mushroom-shaped urns.
On January 1, 2004, Westerveld cemetery and Crematorium Velsen merged. The official name became Begraafplaats & Crematorium Westerveld.
A monument from 1948 stands for Eduard Douwes Dekker. He was the first modern Dutchman cremated in 1887. Dekker was cremated in Gotha. The monument holds urns with his and his wife’s ashes. The Vereniging voor Facultatieve Lijkverbranding initiated it.
Many famed Dutch people rest here. A gold-colored urn commemorates Christiaan Joannes Vaillant. He was the first person cremated in the Netherlands in 1914. A monument honors Aletta Henriëtte Jacobs and her husband. Jacobs was the first Dutch woman physician. Other famous people include Karl Kautsky, Antony Fokker, Kirill Kondrashin and Youri Egorov.
Once a year, Westerveld hosts a Concerto In Memoriam. Thousands attend. They listen to music and a Word of Comfort. A guest speaker gives the speech each year.
Westerveld Cemetery is a place of peace. It is a tribute to those who have passed. Its history reflects changing attitudes toward death. It remains a significant landmark in the Netherlands.