A makeshift burial ground for migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos has been cleaned up and redesigned to provide a dignified resting place for the deceased. The burial ground, located near the village of Kato Tritos, has been taken over by Earth Medicine, a Lesbos-based charity, and formally handed over to municipal officials. The graves, which were previously marked by simple stones with numbers or names, have been replaced by neat, uniform gray slabs filled with white gravel, clearly listing whatever is known about the occupant. The cemetery is intended for migrants who have died either at sea or in migrant camps on the island.
Lesbos has long been a major destination for migrants seeking a better life in the European Union, with many making the hazardous sea crossing from nearby Turkey in small, unseaworthy vessels provided by smuggling gangs. The redesigned burial ground is seen as a way to honor the memory of those who have died on their journey, as well as provide a place for their relatives to visit and pay their respects. The cemetery is located about a kilometer outside Kato Tritos, in central Lesbos, and is nondenominational, with recent inhumation services conducted by an Imam, a Greek Orthodox, or a Catholic priest, according to the deceased’s known beliefs.
The project to redesign the burial ground was carried out with the intention of providing a more dignified and respectful resting place for migrants who have lost their lives while seeking refuge in Europe. By transforming the neglected and weed-choked graves into a more organized and clearly marked cemetery, visitors will now be able to easily identify and visit the graves of their deceased relatives. The project was completed by Earth Medicine, which sought to ensure that the burial ground was handled with human dignity in mind, without any religious affiliation, allowing for all migrants to be honored in a respectful manner.
While some migrants who have died on Lesbos have been buried in municipal cemeteries in other parts of the island, this newly redesigned burial ground near Kato Tritos is the only one specifically dedicated to migrants. The cemetery serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who have risked their lives to seek a better future in Europe, and the need for compassion and empathy towards all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. The project highlights the importance of providing a dignified and respectful final resting place for migrants who have lost their lives, as well as recognizing the humanity and individuality of each person who has made the journey to Lesbos in search of a better life.
