Ever been so stressed by life that you have to book yourself a timeslot in an open grave? No? Well, Radboud University once offered students that option if they wanted it.
We’re not kidding.
Known as the “Purification Grave”, the open grave site could be found behind the university’s chapel. It was fitted with a comfy yoga mat (with the words “stay weird”), a sign that says “Memento Mori”, and a pretty good view from six feet under.
Oh, and probably some bugs — but who cares.
Ok, but… why?
The grave site was actually an initiative of the university’s chapel. The story of the “Purification Grave” started over a decade ago.
In 2009, the chaplaincy decided to dig a grave in its garden in order to allow students the opportunity to lie down and reflect on their lives.
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And that’ll certainly do it. According to the chaplaincy’s website, the grave site was “A modern form of memento mori, which means that you are aware that you are mortal.”
The grave was initially temporary and was filled in 2011. However, it proved to be so popular with students that a number of them requested it to be re-dug.
As a result, in 2019, student pastor John Hacking and secretary of the student church Ilse Hubers grabbed the shovels and got digging once more.
“I think it is important that people have the opportunity to reflect, especially at a time when stress among students is becoming increasingly worse,” Hubers tells Vox.
Now, however, it seems the grave has once again be filled in. Instead, students can contemplate life under a “dream tree” or in a hammock, according to the chaplaincy website.
To make you contemplate life
The idea was pretty simple: you get in the grave and think about your life. However, you were not allowed to bring your phone or your books.
This was not meant to be a quirky place to stalk your ex on Instagram or read Carl Jung (although it may, indeed, trigger ego death). Instead, it was meant to help you see the bigger picture.
Would you have booked a slot in the “Purification Grave”? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
