Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dustin Altschul

Second Advisor

Kimberly Buchhholz

Abstract

Although cemeteries are the eternal final resting places for countless souls, the design and purpose of burial grounds are often rudimentary and their impact has turned obsolete throughout the years. Cemeteries have become forgotten in the community landscape and are perceived as sinister and morbid through the eyes of modern American culture. Because encounters with death have dwindled for most of the population, many people ignore developing their beliefs about death and how to cope with loss until they are in the midst of emotional distress. This capstone project proposes an enhanced cemetery design that engages the community so individuals are positively interacting with the space earlier and more frequently in life to help ease recovering from grief and processing death realities. The following research covers precedent exploration, expert interviews to assess local community involvement and needs, topics of American burial history to understand the past societal impact of cemeteries, the concepts and treatments for death anxiety and grief and how to incorporate healing design into these sacred places.

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