Press release 2020/34 of the municipality of Rüdersdorf near Berlin
The municipality's first communal facility for so-called "star children" has been completed at Schulzenhöhe cemetery. It is a semi-anonymous burial site where both coffin burials and urn burials are possible. The facility was created on part of the previous cemetery wall, which was artistically designed by Birgit Kinder. Each grave has a memorial stone in the shape of a star engraved with the child's first name and year of birth. Obsequies such as flowers, cuddly toys, candles etc. can be laid directly in front of the graves. There are two burial plots, between which a path leads to a bench that offers the opportunity to pause for a moment.
Diana Helbig from the municipality's burial and cemetery services explains the completion of the facility : "The loss of a child is particularly difficult. The desire to have a place to remember and mourn is so important, especially at this difficult time. As a municipality, we want to stand by the parents after such a stroke of fate. We have therefore decided to create a common place of remembrance - a communal memorial for star children."
Star children are children who died before, during or shortly after birth (up to a maximum of 6 months).
"A very special thank you to the company Jähnke GaLa-Bau from the Herzfelde district for the realisation and completion of the facility. We would also like to thank Mr Detlef Adler (head of the village of Rüdersdorf) and Ms Birgit Kinder (muralist) for their support and excellent cooperation," continued Diana Helbig.