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| Future of the gravestone at Stone+tec 2007 in Nuremberg  Stone+tec traditionally focuses on the gravestones and accessories segment in addition to natural stone and technology. A whole exhibition hall is again devoted to this theme at the International Trade Fair Natural Stone and Stoneprocessing Technology in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 6-9 June 2007. Anonymous burials, urn walls and other alternative forms of burial, plus competition from abroad: the pressure on stonemasons and stone sculptors in Germany and Europe continues to grow. Remembering the dead by means of stone memorials is, however, a tradition that has persisted for thousands of years and is therefore a special social cultural heritage.In view of the changed market and social conditions, new ideas and impetus are becoming increasingly important for this trade in order to convince customers of the value of individual remembrance of the dead. The professional competence of stonemasons and stone sculptors offer the possibility of paying tribute to the personality and uniqueness of the deceased with a very personal and uniquely designed gravestone. The main concern is to rectify the existing lack of information among users and cemetery administration bodies. Apart from a display of various types of specimen graves based on today’s needs and conditions, friendly advice must be promoted by improving the service in the cemetery. This should lead to the dependants making an informed decision on a type of grave. The construction and management of specimen grave displays is an enormous challenge and requires maximum effort and an above-average commitment by all concerned. The trades must use these specimen grave displays to show better solutions and alternative types of grave than those promoted by operators of natural burial grounds, etc. The cemetery organizations must provide an attractive site and create suitable general conditions and stonemasons and gardeners must ensure that the show graves and plants are constantly maintained. The exhibitors offer a comprehensive range of various kinds of natural stone, bronze lettering, sculptures and many other products necessary for the individual design of a grave – concentrated in one exhibition hall. Some 9 per cent of the trade visitors at Stone+tec 2005 said they were directly involved in this segment and more than a quarter of the altogether over 40,000 visitors stated that this product segment was one of the main reasons for visiting the exhibition in Nuremberg. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |