Schönefeld Cemetery: Peace and quiet next to BER Airport and moving memories

Schönefeld Cemetery: Peace and quiet next to BER Airport and moving memories

TheSchönefeld Cemetery, idyllically located next to BER Airport, is increasingly becoming a place that plays an important role for both residents and those left behind. Surrounded by urban hustle and bustle, the cemetery offers an oasis of peace. The lawn is square and adorns a small chapel in the center, which stands amidst simple graves. Here you will find the resting places of families who have shaped the town over generations, including large farmers, doctors and entrepreneurs.

Former community representative Renate Detsch has worked intensively to maintain the cemetery in recent years. After decades of decline, it was important to her to keep the place alive for mourning work. She emphasizes that for many, myself included, the noise of the airport was simply part of childhood. For them, the airport does not disturb the silence of the cemetery - on the contrary, it is a familiar setting that tells stories.

Memorials and memories

The memorial stone in front of the village church commemorating the tragic crash is particularly movingBirgenair aircraft 301remembered on February 6, 1996. All 198 passengers died in this accident, including 164 Germans. Survivors, like 90-year-old Peter Leimbach, regularly come to the memorial stone to mourn and pay tribute to the deceased. Peter Leimbach and his wife received permission to be buried in this cemetery to be close to their son.

The bereaved have drawn strength from their grief and founded an association that not only offers support, but has also developed training courses for airport ground staff. A total of three memorial stones were erected for this purpose - in Puerto Plata, Frankfurt am Main and Schönefeld. These sites are not only memories, but also signs of community growing beyond loss.

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