“En poursuivant votre navigation…” Does that sound like a fitting epitaph? Maybe not. But it is a phrase linked to the Cimetière de La Bourdonnière. It speaks of accepting cookies for an adapted browsing experience. Even in death, the digital world seeks our consent.
Welcome to the Cimetière de La Bourdonnière. This is more than just a burial ground. It is a final digital footprint in Allauch near Marseille.
Imagine families navigating the complexities of loss. They must choose between inhumation and cremation. The decision must respect the deceased’s wishes. Regulations in Marseille and its surroundings add another layer.
Marseille has 21 cemeteries. Saint-Pierre is one of the most famous. It holds local and national figures. Saint-Pierre was created in 1855. It was built from gardens. Sixte Rey designed it. The blessing occurred on September 25 1855. First burials began in January 1856.
Before Saint-Pierre, the city used Saint-Charles. It quickly became full. It was too close to the city center. A new larger cemetery was needed. Saint-Pierre became that cemetery.
Saint-Pierre is architecturally and culturally rich. It is one of France’s largest cemeteries. It spans 63 hectares. The Lains family tomb is its most famous. Sculptor Buselli created it. It shows the deceased on her deathbed. Her husband embraces her. Henri Reybaud sculpted a statue. It represents the soul entering paradise. Sculptors André Allar and Auguste Carli also have works here.
Celebrities rest in Saint-Pierre. Painters Adolphe Monticelli and Alphonse Moutte are here. Poet Emile Sicard rests here too. There is also the comedian Antonin Artaud and writer Edmond Rostand. Composer Vincent Scotto and his son-in-law Allibert are interred here. The parents of Fernandel and Edouard Balladur’s brother are also here.
Saint-Pierre includes the “Cathédrale du Silence”. This eight-story concrete building holds 190000 people. Léonce Muller designed the crematorium. He drew inspiration from mosques. The crematorium has expanded. This reflects the increase in cremations. Gaston Castel designed a crypt in Art Deco style. It honors soldiers from Marseille who died in World War I.
Opening hours vary. From November 2 to May 30 it is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. From June 1 to November 1 it is open from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Access restrictions apply. Those over 65 can enter Saint-Pierre, Vaudrans and Aygalades cemeteries. Other cemeteries require visitors to be 70. Visitors need to show ID. People with disabilities can enter with proof. A medical certificate is accepted if walking long distances is difficult.
Humana Funéraire offers funeral services in Marseille. They help families with funeral arrangements. Services include preparing ceremonies. They also help with choosing coffins and transporting the body. Humana Funéraire assists with cremations too. They handle administrative tasks. They manage the ashes. They also offer monumental design.
The Cimetière de La Bourdonnière and other cemeteries are final resting places. They also reflect life’s ongoing processes. They include digital agreements and evolving architectural styles. They remind us of those who came before. They also encourage reflection on our own legacies.