Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

No, it's not a post about some Danse Macabre stuff....these were just my thoughts when we took a visit to Helmut Newton's grave in Berlin, back in May. First we took a mandatory visit to his museum on Jebensstrasse which is pretty easy to find, just behind the (in)famous Zoo Station. There, at the museum, you can really get a grasp of his life and work, glamorous and controversial, but also about more intimate aspects. And it takes a while to get through all three museum floors, too. Diametrically opposite is the impression when you visit his grave, unnoticeable and humble, just a few meters away from Marlene Dietrich (it was his wish to be buried there). We were lucky enough to meet two graveyard employees, so the quest was relatively short. I am not saying I was expecting a mausoleum or something, but realizing that one of the greatest photographers (his ashes, actually) is buried there, being visited only by a bunch of visitors, here and there, made me a bit sad. On the contrary, Marlene's grave gets much more visits (if you compare the stones put on the gravestone).

Helmut Netown's grave in Berlin.

Bottom line: take care of yourself and of your dearest here and now. It won't really matter after.

Helmut is buried in the Städtischer Friedhof III cemetery, not really a "high point" of Berlin. Sadly, even many locals are not aware of the cemetery itself, let alone of Helmut's grave. Hint: it improves your chances to get in the right direction if you ask where is the cemetery where Marlene Dietrich is buried, but it's not necessarily 100% proof (that's our experience).
Mitja