The graves are being tidied by those who care for them, with help from students of Legnica schools and, of course, employees of Legnickie Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Komunalnej, which manages the cemetery.
The main task is clearing leaves from graves and paths. Graves without caretakers have not been forgotten either. LPGK appeals to people to put waste such as grass, natural flowers and wreaths, branches and leaves into galvanized containers. Containers marked in orange are intended for other waste. These can be used for candles, plastic bottles, bags and other rubbish.
Around 47,000 deceased people are buried in almost 42,000 graves at the Legnica cemetery. All of them have been photographed, described and entered into Grobonet, an online grave identification service. By entering the deceased person’s first and last name, the grave can be located quickly. For four years, an information kiosk has stood by the chapel, making it easier to find graves. There are also boards with cemetery maps, which make it easier to get around.
This year, the cemetery operator—Legnickie Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Komunalnej—built a columbarium with 178 urn niches at a cost of PLN 700,000. It was erected beside the cemetery’s main avenue, where an old, dilapidated wall once surrounded the former cemetery. The wall was partially demolished and a new structure was built on it.
A ceremonial section was located in the central part of the columbarium, where funeral services are held. Stylish lanterns and surveillance cameras were also installed. It should be added that columbaria are becoming an increasingly popular place of burial. The new cemetery in Jaszków also has such a facility, with around 1,000 niches, as well as a crematorium. Józef Wasinkiewicz, president of LPGK, said that just 10 years ago urn burials accounted for only 3 percent of all funerals. Today, the figure is 30 percent. LPGK also manages a second, smaller cemetery on Zielna Street, taking care of its appearance and maintenance.
Preparations for All Saints’ Day are also under way at Legnica’s third cemetery, in Jaszków. The new municipal cemetery, built at a cost of PLN 25 million, opened in May 2013. Its 11-hectare site contains 32 sections that can accommodate around 15,000 graves. They will be sufficient for approximately 15 years. So far, more than 140 ground burials and several urn burials have taken place at the cemetery.
UM Legnica/ii