Rethinking Cemeteries: Urgent Need for Change in Rome

The article argues that cemeteries are often taken for granted as unchanging commodities, but the reality of death and burial practices is evolving. In Rome, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in deaths, with monthly fatalities exceeding historical averages. The company managing the cemeteries has failed to make necessary investments, and the municipal administration is inefficient, resulting in a backlog of coffins awaiting proper burial. The majority of people now request cremation, facilitated by updated regulations, but the cremation facilities remain outdated. The piece calls for a fundamental rethinking of cemeteries, envisioning them as green public spaces and monuments. It references Mauro Felicori's thoughts and the Bologna cemetery as examples.