For many people, attending a funeral ranks right above visiting loved ones in hospitals as the one of the most devastating obligations life has to offer. The circumstances surrounding someone’s death matter very little at a funeral; rather, it?s the memories and the sadness, especially when experienced inside a stuffy, windowless building, that are the hardest to swallow. Although there are nearly 20,000 mortuaries in America, few offer any amenities beyond simple folding chairs and stale coffee.

Passing On with Panache
Dutch architectural design company HofmanDujardin decided to radically change the image of these so-called funeral homes, not only to put attendants more at ease but also to honor the deceased in a more elegant and upbeat atmosphere. They believe their funeral center, located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, uplifts the human spirit, inspires the most sincere feelings of love, and honors the dearly departed in a truly special way. The HofmanDujardin Philosophy
Since their start in 1999, HofmanDujardin has been dedicated to making people feel good in environments that promote contentment and self-fulfillment. Willem Wopereis, one of the assistant architects at the firm, says: ?In general, all designs we make are human-centered. Our design philosophy ? which we call ?shaping intuition? ? is based on intuitive, natural feelings of human beings.?

Hofman explains, ?The lack of places for worthy send-offs results in uneasy feelings during crucial moments in ...