Many funerary homes still around these days typically feel stuffy and gravely outdated, like you suddenly stepped back into a previous century. Based on their personal experiences, architects Michiel Hofman and Barbara Dujardin of the Amsterdam-based firm HofmanDujardin took their own approach to this typology by designing the Contemporary Funerary Center. 

According to the architects, the design concept responds to the lack of modernized funerary spaces that bring a sense of ease to the bereaved. Immersed in a lush landscape, the 1,600 m2 building features a calming, pared down aesthetic with wide panoramic windows that bring in ample natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. A sequence of three rooms are shaped around a central area where a coffin can be placed.

In the first room, the family, friends, and guests are enclosed by a “memory wall”, a multimedia screen that displays a collage of photos and videos of their loved one. 

The second space, where the memorial ceremony takes place, has a triangular plan to create a sense of intimacy for both small and big groups. Two curved walls and the ceiling bend inward to define a passage as the center for the coffin. Behind the coffin area, an empty space opens toward the large panoramic window.

Following the ceremony, the family and guests proceed into the third room, which serves as a socializing space. Timber-clad walls and floor create a warmer atmosphere, and simple round tables make the room suitable for formal and informal events.

“The lack of places for worthy send-offs results in [feelings of unease] during crucial moments in our lives. Focusing on the intuitive values of human beings, we designed a Funeral Center which tries to break this discomfort,” Hofman says.

“The way we say good bye to our loved ones is a very personal decision,” says Dujardin. “We designed a Funeral Center which is specifically suitable for its function, and at the same time leaves room for interpretation. We think that sad moments in our life should be beautiful at the same time.”