The 1st scientific and professional conference on cemeteries, that took place on September 14 and 15, 2023, at the Turist Hotel in Varaždin, Croatia, brought together a diverse group of experts from public institutions, utility companies, local self-government units, scientists and suppliers of technology and utility equipment. Among the participants at the conference was also the president of ASCE, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek.
The conference focus was on maintenance and future management of cemeteries. The Varaždin cemetery has a great cultural and historical significance as well as an exemplary combination of horticulture and artistic monuments. It is therefore not surprising that Varaždin was chosen as the venue for the 1st international scientific and professional conference on cemeteries.
The Mayor of Varaždin, Neven Bosilj, welcomed the lecturers and participants of the conference, and emphasized the cultural and historical importance of the Varaždin cemetery, as well as the need to preserve the heritage of its founder, Herman Haller. The director of Parkovi d.o.o., Jelena Sekelj, outlined the meeting's topics, including waste management, greenery protection, digitalization of funeral services, artificial intelligence at cemeteries, computerization of management, and more.
The second day of the meeting was reserved for study visits to the City Cemetery in Varaždin and the Jewish Cemetery and the presentation of usage of electric vehicles in the maintenance of cemeteries. Since the conference was held as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first known recorded burial at the Varaždin cemetery, the exhibition "250 years of the Varaždin cemetery" was opened in the crypt of the church of St. Nikola and can be visited for free until October 7, 2023.
More about the event at www.parkovi.eu.