Full House at the Jena Crematorium

An unusual venue, gripping criminal cases, and an engaged audience. The crime fiction evening featuring non-fiction author Hans Thiers at the Jena Crematorium was met with an enthusiastic response. On Saturday evening, every seat was filled. A total of 63 attendees listened to the roughly two-hour presentation.

Hans Thiers took the audience on a journey through the criminal history of Jena and the surrounding region. Drawing on true, already solved murder cases, he discussed crime scenes, perpetrators, motives, and the investigations at the time. His detailed research and vivid presentation made for an engaging and thrilling evening.

The choice of a crematorium as the venue for such a reading was deliberate. In addition to the criminal cases, the event also focused on changes in the funeral industry. The evening was intended to demonstrate that a modern crematorium is not exclusively a place for saying goodbye, but is increasingly seen as an open space for encounter and engagement with social issues.

“With this event, we deliberately wanted to break new ground and show that the funeral industry is also changing. A crematorium is a special place—but that is precisely why it is well-suited for events that inspire reflection and bring people together,”says Philipp Stacke, director of the Jena municipal crematorium.

The audience’s response was correspondingly positive. Following the lecture, numerous guests took the opportunity to purchase books by Hans Thiers and have them signed. At the same time, those interested could take a look behind the scenes at the municipal crematorium to learn more about the facilities and procedures. Refreshments were also provided. A small catering service with drinks and appetizers was included in the admission price and was very well received by the guests. 

The successful evening has already sparked interest in a follow-up event. “The high demand and the many positive responses show us that we’ve struck a chord with this format. That’s why we can easily imagine repeating such an event in the future,”said Stacke. The team at the Jena Crematorium would like to thank Hans Thiers and all the visitors for the successful evening and their great interest.