Den Tod gestalten – mehr als nur ein Abschied

In Memoriam

In Memoriam is intended as an open invitation—organized with dignity, sensitivity, and respect. At the Trauerkirche Frankfurt, we use this event to create a space where grief can be expressed openly and new forms of ritual can be explored. A day that touches the heart. And leaves a lasting impression.

Grief needs to be expressed. Sometimes through words. Sometimes through silence. Sometimes through a symbol that endures.

As part of the In Memoriam initiative, the Domkreis für Kirche und Wissenschaft invites bereaved family members, mourners, and those saying goodbye to a special day on September 12, 2026, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Trauerkirche St. Michael (Butzbacher Straße) as part of the World Design Capital. As part of a free, walk-in event, visitors will have the opportunity to get a small commemorative tattoo.

A name, a date, a small symbol for a loved one—something that goes under the skin and stays there. On this day, the art of tattooing is understood as a contemporary ritual of remembrance: a personal expression of connection that transcends death. We are pleased to have tattoo artist Silas Becks join us for this event; he creates unique tattoos using his calligraphic style.

Accompanying the tattoo event, an exhibition features photographs and texts that explore the connection between grief, the body, and the culture of remembrance. It highlights how individually people cope with loss today—and how creatively memory can be shaped.

In the evening, starting at 19:00, a moderated panel discussion titled “Unter die Haut – Wenn Erinnerung sichtbar wird” invites participants to engage in dialogue. Our panelists will discuss their experiences and explore why more and more people are carrying their grief not only in their hearts but also on their skin.

Design is not just about shaping objects, buildings, or products—it’s also about how we shape our lives and how we deal with difficult topics such as death.

Death, as an inevitable part of human existence, can be viewed through the lens of design: Which spaces, rituals, and forms offer us comfort? How do we shape farewells, commemoration, and remembrance in ways that meet our cultural, religious, and individual needs? These questions are at the heart of the events being organized as part of World Design Capital 2026.

In a cluster of church and science, the diverse approaches to sepulchral culture and the design of spaces for farewells and mourning in a creative yet respectful manner are explored together. Death is not just a topic for funeral directors and churches; it affects us all.

That is why a diverse program ranging from interdisciplinary discussions and artistic projects to hands-on workshops was developed. Each event is an invitation to search together for new perspectives and design possibilities—whether in a church setting, in art, or through an examination of mourning rituals from different cultures and religions.

Another program item focuses on the creative repurposing of church spaces. It presents examples in which former churches have been given new social functions—such as the conversion of churches into climbing gyms, as in Wiesbaden. This opens up a discussion about interdisciplinary uses for sacred spaces and about how different social groups can be involved in shaping future religious and cultural venues.