A final greeting: Rolf Steiner's moving gravestone at Kassel's main cemetery

A final greeting: Rolf Steiner's moving gravestone at Kassel's main cemetery

A very special work of art is being erected in Kassel's main cemetery. The married couple Dorothea and Hermann Gnädinger treated themselves to a unique gravestone for their crypt in the mausoleum. The work of art was created by the sculptor Rolf Steiner, who completed this last work shortly before his own death at the age of 78. The gravestone, which was placed in the mausoleum on June 14, 2025 in the presence of the Gnädingers, shows an impressive motif of a woman standing in the gate of death. A deeper symbolism that combines grief and farewell could hardly be chosen here.

The extraordinary tombstone was installed by the experienced stonemasons Alexander Engel and Christian Rund, who inserted the stone into a historic temple that Hermann Gnädinger had previously purchased in France. Rolf Steiner and the Gnädingers maintained a close friendship over many years, which is reflected in the intensive five-year creative period for this gravestone. In total, the Gnädingers have acquired 13 sculptures by this talented artist, which underlines the deep appreciation for Steiner's work.

A place of peace and remembrance

Hermann Gnädinger, himself from Switzerland, reserved the crypt seven years ago. This is where the ashes of both himself and his wife will be kept. The crypt offers space for 20 urns and six coffins. This decision to choose your own crypt not only brings practical advantages such as less maintenance, but also long-term peace and a permanent place that should last beyond your own generation. “There’s something there,” Gnädinger notes at one point, emphasizing the importance of such a site for posterity.

As the ekkw.de reports, grief is an individual process that can vary greatly in every culture and time. The church sees itself as having a responsibility to give people hope and comfort in these difficult times. The way we deal with death has changed in Germany, and it is precisely in such moments that the church often offers space for reflection and support. Many Christians believe that Christ took away the power of death, which is a central part of faith.

The art of stonemasonry

A quick look at the most important services related to tombstones shows the versatility of the stonemasonry trade. The Steinmetz Forbrig offers individual advice and support in the design of tombs and grave complexes. The quality of the work is very important, with piety and respectful behavior at the grave being of the utmost importance for everyone involved. The combination of stone, steel and wood to create aesthetically unique pieces makes tomb design a very special craft.

This closes the circle of grief and art, of farewell and dignity. Rolf Steiner's gravestone in Kassel's main cemetery is not only a symbol of remembrance, but also an expression of deeply felt human bonds that do not have to end with death.