Memorials Dedicated to Nanda Herbermann and Paulus van Husen

In the heart of Münster, Germany, lies a unique tradition that serves as a poignant reminder of the city's history and its exceptional citizens. The practice of awarding honorary graves is a tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to Münster or have suffered under injustice. Two such individuals, Nanda Herbermann and Paulus van Husen, have been honoured posthumously with this prestigious recognition.

Nanda Herbermann (1903-1979) was a writer and editor who played a pivotal role in resisting Nazism. Her courageous stand against the regime earned her repeated interrogations and arrests by the Gestapo, culminating in a two-year imprisonment in the Ravensbrück women's concentration camp. After the war, she dedicated her life to advocating for the memory of concentration camp prisoners and those persecuted for political, racial, and religious reasons. Her grave, located at the Central Cemetery in Münster, is a testament to her indomitable spirit and enduring legacy.

Paulus van Husen (1891-1971) served as an officer in World War I and later worked as a district administrator and judge. During World War II, he was a member of the Kreisauer Kreis, a German resistance group against the Nazi dictatorship. His role in the group involved constitutional and political planning for a post-Nazi Germany. Despite his efforts, van Husen was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 and imprisoned in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. After the war, he was one of the founders of the CDU in Berlin in 1945. His family grave, located at the Old Cemetery St. Mauritz, is a humble resting place for a man who made a profound impact on the city's history.

The city of Münster can award an honorary grave to a deceased person who has made an exceptional contribution to the city or has suffered under injustice. This practice not only serves as a remembrance and tribute to these individuals but also as a reminder of the city's rich history and the values it upholds. Both Nanda Herbermann and Paulus van Husen are shining examples of the exceptional individuals who have been honoured in this way. Their graves stand as a symbol of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of resistance against injustice.