Sustainable and natural
In spring, the cemeteries in Offenbach and its districts bloom again: All around the colorful flowers there is a busy buzzing and humming, buzzing and fluttering. Insect-friendly plants play a sustainable role here, as does environmental protection as a whole, which was included in the cemetery statutes in 2021. The fact that the topic is gaining in importance nationwide is also shown by the motto for Cemetery Day on September 19: as in the previous year, it is: "Naturally remember."
Especially in large cities, cemeteries contribute to the preservation of nature. The Association of German Cemetery Gardeners, which is responsible for the motto, believes that dealing with flowers and plants can also help people come to terms with their grief. Spending time in the "green cultural space of the cemetery" can provide comfort and relaxation. To ensure that the flora develops as naturally as possible, the cemetery statutes in Offenbach were amended on January 1, 2021: Since then, the use of pesticides and weedkillers has been prohibited, and only easily decomposing natural products may be used for burials.
Educational trail on biodiversity planned
"We also want to further promote biodiversity in our burial grounds," emphasizes Gabriele Schreiber, head of the municipal cemeteries in Offenbach. An educational trail on the subject of biodiversity with oversized honeycombs and insect hotels is planned - it will connect the new children's burial ground at the New Cemetery with the Star Children's Field. The administration team would also like to convert some areas into insect flower meadows. Honey bees, which swarm out again in spring, have been populating the Old Cemetery since 2013.
The Treuhandstelle für Dauergrabpflege Hessen-Thüringen GmbH, which looks after the gardener-managed graves in Offenbach's cemeteries, has been taking part in the "Bee Garden Sponsor" project since 2019: since then, it has been making the planting in its grounds particularly insect-friendly. The second Memoriam Garden at the New Cemetery is home to insect hotels and nesting boxes for birds. The experts also provide tips for bee-friendly grave design: as ground cover, they recommend cotoneaster for sunny locations and evergreen for shady locations. In the summer bed, bees enjoy bellflowers and lavender, gold dust or cranesbill, for example. www.bienengartenpate.de (opens in a new tab)
Cemetery administration
Friedhofsverwaltung
Mühlheimer Straße 425
63075 Offenbach
Notes on accessibility
Disabled parking spaces available
Notes on accessibility
Further information
Visitor parking lot in Ulmenstraße
Opening hours
The cemeteries are open as follows:
November through February:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
March and October:
Monday-Friday: 7.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
April to September:
Monday-Friday: 7.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 7.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.