General layout and decoration

Allerzielen Alom is a special evening for everyone. This is made clear by decorating the memorial site in a different way than normal. The goal is to create a hospitable location where everyone can feel comfortable.

Flame and light
In many respects, fire cannot be replaced by artificial light. The actual warmth of a fire gives the visitor a feeling of being welcome. Fire is the most important part of the decor, but it is also very difficult to control, unless it is done by a specialist. They can properly place different forms of fire, and maintain them until the end of the celebration.

Flame shop
It is a good idea to place a flame shop or stall near the entrance, where visitors can by grave candles, torches, fire gel, lamp oil, matches, lighters, tea light candles and wood. This is the custom in Southern European countries and Mexico. Thai Sky Lanterns* are a very special way of remembering loved ones. These are large paper lamps with ascend through warmth, and can be lit with a small flame mechanism. When there is little wind, they can be released in memory of a departed loved one.
Fire baskets, party tents, and eventually, folding chairs can be provided for free or rented so that next of kin can comfortably furnish the area around a grave.

* In The Netherlands, official permission is now required to release such lanterns.

Forms for fire
Torches and storm lamps are used to mark trails. Floats of fire can be released on open water. Special locations can be marked with fires built in oil drums. Smaller cans with flame are also good beacons.

Extinguishing materials
Prevention is better than extinguishing. Wherever fire is, there must be extinguishing materials. Fire extinguishers, buckets of water for wood fires, buckets of sand for oil fires, as well as blankets should be set out along the trail. A plan should be developed with the local fire department.

Lighting design
Lighting design with theatre lamps, done in a discrete manner, is necessary to provide locations with a special ambiance. It emphasizes the landscape and spatial qualities. It provides a foundation for the location, a fairy tale like sense of security. Such lamps can also be used to support particular installations. Do not forget to place noisy generators at a sufficient distance from the route.

Small lighting elements
During Allerzielen Alom transparent plastic balls containing small electric lamps were layed along the route. They illuminated the way in a subtile manner. LED lights on poles were used to mark a long, dark path to the Ever After in Castrium. The miniscule points of light made the experience of darkness even stronger.

Bag lanterns
At the entrance, visitors receive a white paper bag with a small lamp. They are then visible in the dark without blinding others. The collection of bags which have not yet been passed out makes a striking picture.

Licht projection
Specially designed light projections provide a new way of looking at buildings or objects. The outer wall of the hall in Zorgvleid turned into a slowly moving universe, the office transformed into a painting, and the cross in the cemetery in Purmerend received a projection of a flower. Historic films were shown on gravestones and through windows.

Hospitality
Hospitality is more than just serving a warm drink. During a celebration, a diverse public will be present at the memorial site with all sorts of emotions. It is important that everyone feels safe and comfortable. By actively working on hospitality, the guests will be well received, they will feel welcome, and they can find a place for their emotions. A good balance must be found between serving the guests, and taking initiative.

Guides
Guides are extremely important. They are particularly important at locations where not everything is visible at once. Guides can be made clearly recognisable, for example, with a subtile but larger lamp. They provide information of the route, its length, and what there is along the way. At particular locations, they can explain the meaning of an installation or how it works. The guides understand the art of feeling the needs of others. It can be special to ask people who they commemorated. It has been shown that people are happy to be able to talk about their departed.

Glühwein, hot chocolate, soul bread
An evening full of impressions and emotions cannot just end. A place to gather is suddenly desirable. A self-made oven to bake soul bread, bales of straw, large pans with hot chocolate and Glühwein over a fire created a place for people to warm up, chat with each other, or just stare in the fire.

Soup
Miso soup steamed in nine large woks. Everyone who takes a cup of soup gets a handfull of soup vegetables which he or she must throw in the pan for new soup. This refers to the idea that the departed have left something for the others.

Music
Music touches people’s souls. The subtile tones from a harp or singing bowl were the most suitable forms of music. The movement of the musicians, for example, brass players, gave flexibility to the plan. Music could be made where necessary, for example, by request from next of kin.  (photograph: Max Linsen).