In Nový Bor, the funeral hall is being renovated and will be closed until the end of the year

New Bor (Českolipsko) - In New Bor, the funeral hall at the Forest Cemetery is being renovated for nearly 8.5 million crowns. It will be closed until the end of the year, and after the renovation, its capacity will increase nearly fourfold. The facilities for the funeral service will also improve. This was reported by the spokesperson of the city office, Radmila Pokorná.

The funeral hall was already in poor condition. It was last reconstructed in 1981 when the historic building received two unsightly extensions. Both have already been removed by workers, and new extensions will be built over the following months. They should complement the original building architecturally in a more suitable way. The larger of the extensions will also allow for an increase in capacity for ceremonies from 40 to 150 seats. The existing one was insufficient. "Ceremonies took place in the summer with the doors open, and in winter, the mourners were cramped in the closed hall," said the mayor of the twelve-thousand-strong town, Jaromír Dvořák (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

In the smaller extension, there will be facilities for the funeral service, as well as a room for cooling equipment. "Its capacity will also be increased to cover the Novoborsko area if necessary. The technical facilities for easier handling of coffins will also improve," said Pokorná.

A complete reconstruction also awaits the historic funeral hall itself. The paneling has already been removed, and the metal roof and floor will also be taken out. "Original architectural elements, such as the stained glass in the entrance doors, will be preserved," said the mayor. However, the decoration of the hall will change. Inside, there will be new glass sculptures that will reference the glassmaking tradition of New Bor. "There are many glass masters buried in the cemetery, and we are a glassmaking town," Dvořák said.

Due to the renovation, all funeral ceremonies have been moved to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Arnultovice, which belongs to the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. Thanks to the kindness of the priestess, civil ceremonies without ecclesiastical elements are also held here.