cultural identity. They connect people to their
roots and provide a sense of continuity with their
ancestors. These traditions offer a structured
and meaningful way for individuals and families
to cope with loss and grief. They provide a sense
of closure and connection to the past. Funerals
and related customs bring communities together.
They strengthen social bonds and demonstrate
a support network during challenging times.
Traditional funeral practices often embody cultural
and ethical values. Preserving these traditions
helps share these values with the next generation.
Properly
nurturing
funeral
culture
involves
balancing preserving traditions and adapting to
the contemporary cultural mix. In Mongolia, as in
many countries, this balance is achieved through:
Education and Awareness. Creating awareness
about the cultural significance of funeral traditions
is essential. Education helps people understand
the value of these customs in a modern context.
While preserving core traditions, flexibility is crucial
to adapt to changing social and cultural dynamics.
Customizing ceremonies to meet the preferences
and beliefs of the bereaved is one way to maintain
the traditions’ relevance. Ensuring families can
choose between traditional and modern funeral
practices is important. Respect for individual
choices is integral to preserving traditions.
Encouraging community involvement and support
during funerals and related ceremonies fosters
a sense of unity and shared cultural identity.
The challenge lies in balancing tradition with the
influence of globalization and urbanization. While
cultural mixing is inevitable in the modern world,
nurturing funeral culture means preserving the
essence of traditions while allowing them to evolve
and adapt to contemporary needs. The enduring
importance of these traditions ensures they
remain a vital part of Mongolian cultural heritage.
K.S.: Under your leadership, “New Cemetery”
LLC
has
achieved
significant
milestones,
successfully
implementing
infrastructure
projects and contributing to urban development
in Mongolia. Please provide a brief overview of
this project, outlining its main objectives and
highlighting its significance.
Under my leadership, “New Cemetery” LLC has
indeed
accomplished
significant
milestones,
focusing
on
infrastructure
projects
and
their contributions to urban development in
Mongolia. Our efforts have included extensive
initiatives, such as planting 120,000 trees and
shrubs, installing 7,000 tons of headstones, and
developing a substantial land area totaling 105.7
hectares for cemetery infrastructure. Additionally,
we are actively engaged in a project dedicated
to establishing a funeral information and service
center, which is a visionary undertaking aimed at
addressing several crucial objectives. First of all
the center seeks to provide a centralized source of
complete information related to funeral services,
processes, and available options. It will be
a valuable resource for industry professionals and
the general public. One of the primary objectives is
to offer emotional and practical support to grieving
families. We want to make funeral planning more
straightforward during challenging times and
provide assistance when needed. The project
strongly emphasizes promoting eco-friendly and
sustainable burial practices. We seek to educate
the public about environmentally conscious
options and advocate for responsible cemetery
management. Beyond its immediate role in the
funeral industry, the center aspires to contribute to
urban development. It encourages the integration
of cemeteries into the urban landscape as green
spaces.
This
innovative
approach
balances
memorialization, cultural preservation, and urban
functionality harmoniously.
The significance of the Funeral Information
and Service Center Project lies in its potential to
revolutionize funeral services in Mongolia and
inspire cemetery managers in other countries.
By providing a centralized source of information,
the center will improve the quality of funeral
services in Mongolia. It will empower families with
knowledge, ensure more transparent processes,
and support eco-conscious choices. The project
aligns with modern urban planning principles
that recognize cemeteries as valuable green
spaces within cities. This approach promotes
sustainability and environmental preservation
while contributing to urban aesthetics. The project’s
innovative approach to cemetery management
and sustainability can inspire cemetery managers
worldwide. It demonstrates that cemeteries can
be integrated into urban landscapes, providing
memorialization and community and ecological
benefits. I am sure that our experience can
inspire and provide valuable insights for cemetery
managers and urban planners looking to embrace
sustainable, eco-friendly, and community-centric
approaches to cemetery development.
K.S.: We are eager to invite all readers to
explore this initiative in the next issue of
Thanos magazine.
18
No. 104 – WINTER 2023 | THANOS MAGAZINE
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