Tot Zover – The Dutch funeral museum

Don’t mock the dead… but don’t ignore them either.

That’s most probably the idea behind the only funeral museum in the Netherlands (as far as I know). The name “Tot Zover” (‘Till So Far’) is sort of a wink, a play on words. When they opened late 2007 they also had a remarkable poster, saying ‘open due to circumstances’ (while normally we use ‘closed’ instead of ‘open’). So far the little mockery the museum allows itself.

The rest of the museum, which is located at cemetery ‘De Nieuwe Ooster’, is set up sober and discreet. At the permanent exhibition they show the different rituals and practices of burial traditions. There is also some general information and objects about the history and future of burying, active life termination and cremation.

Till the first of July 2012 there’s a temporary art exhibition, called ‘Afterlife’. Contemporary Dutch and foreign artists give their perspectives about the final destination, both in the museum and outside in the cemetery. In the Tropenmuseum, which is only two kilometres away, there’s also an exhibition about the dead, called ‘Death Matters’. If you’re in the mood you can visit them both on the same day.

The museum also takes effort to make a visit enjoyable for children. Not only do they have materials for classes, but also for infants there’s an activity: make and decorate your own mini-coffin (for deceased pets).

In the meaning of the famous age-old adage “Memento Mori” and the famous Kansas song, visit it and remember… all we are is dust in the wind.