Ever wondered about the lives of those who dwell among the dead? Here, standing before the Totengr\u00e4berhaus, we find ourselves at the heart of such a story. This small museum offers unique insights into W\u00f6hrd’s history. It reveals the stories of its cemetery and its burial culture.
The Totengr\u00e4berhaus has stood here since 1529. It is located on the W\u00f6hrd cemetery. It is the oldest building in this part of town. For centuries, this house was home to the Totengr\u00e4ber or gravedigger and his family. Imagine living right here surrounded by gravestones.
Inside the Totengr\u00e4berhaus, a small museum, you can explore how gravediggers lived. The exhibition reveals much that was previously unknown. Before a chapel was built in 1642, there was another building for funeral sermons. There was also a charnel house.
Consider the story of the abandoned child found here in 1682. A letter was found with the child near the Totengr\u00e4berhaus. Also, in the 19th century the house was in terrible condition. The pastor even wrote an urgent letter about it.
The exhibition consists of three rooms. They show different aspects of life and death in W\u00f6hrd. The first room focuses on the topography of the W\u00f6hrd cemetery. It also highlights the clergy and community. Burial culture and the cemetery as a place to live are also showcased. The living conditions of the gravediggers are presented.
The second room allows you to immerse yourself in the gravedigger’s world. You can listen to stories about life in the cemetery. Imagine six children sleeping on a straw sack. It was their simple bed.
A mirror in a coffin greets visitors. It reminds us of our mortality.
The third room encourages reflection on our mortality. A quote from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius reminds us that death is part of life. A Bible passage and an egg timer encourage mental wellness.
The Totengr\u00e4berhaus gives us a glimpse into the past. It reminds us of the people who lived and died here. It is a place to reflect on life and death. It is an authentic monument of local history. It connects us to those who came before.