News from the Cemetery Administration

• Cemetery Day: "Cemetery Day" will take place at the Central Cemetery on September 19, 2026

A Place to Combat Loneliness. Benches in the cemetery provide a respectful and discreet setting that invites people to strike up a conversation with one another.

We all share a desire for companionship and connection. But sometimes it’s a real challenge to find these moments in everyday life. We often experience loneliness especially during stressful times, when facing personal loss, or when going through changes in our social lives.

To counteract this, the city of Erlangen has launched an initiative: the B(P)lauderbänke. These are meeting benches in the cemetery that stand out thanks to their cheerful blue color (Photo: Registry Office). They invite people to take a seat, strike up a conversation, and exchange thoughts and ideas. When you sit down on the bench, you’re signaling to others: “Feel free to sit with me and talk to me. I’m open to a conversation and look forward to connecting.” The social benches aren’t just for cemetery visitors. They’re there for anyone who’s looking for a conversation or simply wants some company. You’ll find the B(P)lauderbänke in grave sections 51 and 54 at the Central Cemetery.

Promoting Social Interaction

By introducing these spaces, the City of Erlangen aims to send a message of community and active togetherness. It seeks to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. The goal is to

• promote social interaction
• strengthen integration, and
• build bridges between different generations and cultures.

Loneliness is more than just a feeling of isolation. It can have serious health consequences, ranging from mental health issues to cardiovascular problems and an increased risk of dementia in old age. It profoundly affects our well-being, our participation in society, and how we live together. Young people are particularly affected

• young people
• singles
• single parents
• people with an immigrant background
• people with health limitations or low incomes.

Engaging in conversation respectfully and discreetly

Changes in our society and in family structures, along with increased media consumption, contribute to this. Especially in difficult life situations, people often lack close personal connections—or find it hard to turn to them. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this trend and highlighted the need for genuine human connection. Unmet expectations, a lack of depth in relationships, and a shortage of social spaces all intensify feelings of loneliness.

As a traditional place of silence and remembrance, the cemetery—with its benches—offers a special opportunity to strike up a conversation with one another in a respectful and discreet setting. Especially in times of increasing loneliness, places like these are invaluable.

Be part of the change—take a seat!

A Special Offering at Our Central Cemetery

From May through October, every Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., volunteers from the “Cafè Kränzchen” initiative park their cargo bike behind the funeral chapel at the Central Cemetery and offer visitors coffee and homemade cake. Their goal is to create a place for people who have experienced a loss and are visiting the cemetery to come together. But it’s not a “mourning café”—it’s a place for people to connect. Loss is often accompanied by loneliness, and here at Café Kränzchen, people can connect and talk during what may be difficult times. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact us at cafe-kränzchen@web.de

Cemetery Café in Büchenbach

The volunteer-run cemetery café of the Martin Luther Congregation at the Büchenbach Cemetery is open on the following dates: July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, August 29, September 12, September 26,Oct. 10, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. each day; the event is canceled in case of rain