Graveyards in Germany are quite different to Australia, as is the culture surrounding grave maintenance. This is probably a dying art, but many of the older Germans tend to the graves of their parents and grandparents (and other family members) on a regular basis, sometimes even weekly. Even those who cannot make it themselves (like us overseas folk) pay to have the graves maintained, which is a particular industry in Germany – not just any old regular gardener, but someone who specifically looks after graves. This may sound morbid, but the Waldfriedhof where we have our family plot is actually a beautiful park where one can stroll in peace for hours, serenity guaranteed.
