Funeral Service and Burial in the Forest Cemetery – The doves slumber in the house; but where do the birds fly to?
A funeral in the forest cemetery is more than a ceremony – it is a return to the great rhythm of nature. Beneath tall trees and rustling leaves, among moss, light, and roots, life and death meet in silence. Here, farewell becomes homecoming – a quiet gesture of trust in the eternal cycle of being.
Master Reding from the Nigredo Monastery guides families through this moment with reverence, serenity, and heartfelt presence. Whether in Konstanz or Radolfzell on Lake Constance, the forest glade, the filtered light through branches, the scent of earth and the distant song of birds create an atmosphere of stillness and peace.
Many families find comfort in this natural setting, for it softens the boundary between life and death. The forest cemetery is a sacred place of transformation, where earth, air, water, and light speak their own prayer — and where the human being returns to the breath of life itself.
Surrounded by ancient trees, gentle hills, and the quiet shimmer of Lake Constance, this place offers a serene and natural setting for a dignified farewell. Whether you choose a simple urn ceremony, a ritual with music and poetry, or silent meditation among the trees — the ceremony is shaped entirely around your wishes.
Master Reding accompanies you with compassion and clarity, helping you to say goodbye consciously and with peace of heart.
Prayer and Meditation – Forest Cemetery
The doves are sleeping in their nests;
but where do all the birds now fly?
The waterfall softens its murmur —
where do the streams now run?
Smoke curls peacefully above the roofs;
but where drifts the night’s dark sky?
A thousand lights still shine in chambers —
but where do the stars go when they die?Even as we lie and sleep,
ships quietly slip from harbor.I often see at midnight’s hour,
when my work is done,
the stars above the world —
so still, so fair, so far.They wander through the fields of sky,
like lambs upon the plain,
or pearls strung bright in silent grace —
a sight I cannot leave unsung.Then under heaven’s quiet veil
my heart begins to say:
“There is something greater still
than pain and joy of day.”Eyes, my gentle windows bright,
you’ve shown me so much light.
One day you’ll close —
and then the soul will rest.The weary lids will fall,
the stars will softly fade,
and, freed from earth’s brief wandering,
the soul will find its home.Yet still I walk upon the evening field,
companion to the setting star.
Drink, O eyes, while yet you may,
from the golden overflow of the world.
Blessing and Farewell
Rest now in the peace of the forest, where every leaf is a quiet prayer, and every ray of light a sign of grace. May the wind carry you, the earth cradle you, the water mirror you, and the light lead you home.
Location: Radolfzell am Bodensee