Quietly, the Südfriedhof whispers stories of Düsseldorf’s past. The Südfriedhof became necessary due to Düsseldorf’s growing population in the late 19th century. More graves were needed so the city began construction around 1900.
Originally, the Südfriedhof was designed in a cross shape with end rondels. Its total area was about 28 hectares. A main path, two parallel accompanying paths, and two more parallel side paths extended south from the main entrance. This layout is still visible today and shapes the Südfriedhof’s appearance.
Unlike the trend of using foreign trees in parks and cemeteries around 1900, the Südfriedhof primarily used local trees. Oak, elm, linden, and maple trees were planted. Today, these trees and various shrubs define the landscape. The oldest trees can still be found as avenues along the side paths of the Südfriedhof.
In 1908, the chapel and mortuary opened. The designs came from city planning officer Radke and architect Decker. Its form and size still enhance the Südfriedhof’s appearance.
Over time, the Südfriedhof expanded and changed. War grave fields from World War II serve as reminders of peace. Honorary graves commemorate famous Düsseldorf figures. These include former mayors Karl Arnold, Georg Glock, Josef Gockeln, and honorary citizen Georg Schulhoff. In the mid-1960s, the inner axis or original main path was removed. It became a lawn with attractive grave sites in special locations. The Südfriedhof’s historical significance is reflected in its designation as a garden monument since 1994 and 1995.
Today, the Südfriedhof covers 46.1 hectares. Besides the war graves, notable landmarks include the honorary graves of former mayors. Also, actor Paul Henckels is buried here. He was known from the German movie “Die Feuerzangenbowle”. There is also an anonymous urn field.
The Südfriedhof also has a Muslim burial ground since 1988. The graves are oriented towards the qibla, the direction of prayer. Exceptionally, burials without a coffin are possible. A metal bench is available for the ritual prayer for the deceased.
The Südfriedhof is accessible via tram line 709 and bus lines 723 and 893. The stop is named Südfriedhof. The B1 and B326 roads run along the northern edge of the Südfriedhof. The punk rock band Die Toten Hosen has a shared grave here. Drummer Wölli, manager Jochen Hülder, and roadie Uwe Faust are buried there. The remaining band members will be buried here after their death.
As you leave the Südfriedhof, remember the Südfriedhof is more than a burial ground. It is a place of remembrance, history, and natural beauty in Düsseldorf.