Munich people regret that their legend, Franz Beckenbauer, did not have time to witness the biggest sporting event in Germany since the 2006 World Cup. In heaven, surely Der Kaiser (Emperor) is also very happy when seeing that the host country is ready for the big festival of EURO 2024.
Emperor Franz Beckenbauer is one of only three people to win the World Cup as a player and coach, along with Mario Zagallo and Didier Deschamps. For the people of Munich, Beckenbauer is not only a sports figure, but also a symbol. Der Kaiser excels in every aspect of football.
Even though he doesn’t have a lifetime technique like Saint Johan Cruyff’s magical spin, he is better than anyone at the ability to choose the right time to tackle the ball and invent the legendary Libero position, bringing Bayern became a powerhouse of German and European football in the 1960s and 1970s.
On a business trip at EURO 2024, we went to Perlacher Forst (Perlacher Forest), a suburb of Munich, and the final resting place of Bayern and German football legend Beckenbauer. Germans call anyone’s final resting place Friedhof. In German, this phrase means peaceful yard. Because, they see their loved ones have passed away peacefully, returning to the arms of God.
Perhaps because of this perspective, when we visited here, it felt like we were entering a park with lots of green trees, a feeling of peace, gentleness and “like a walk” around a small forest. The tombs here are not built large or imposing, but are simply a space surrounded by a thin row of bricks, above which are tiny plants or trees planted with different types of flowers.
Another difference from cemeteries in Vietnam is that here, each grave is reserved for the whole family, not just one person. This is the concept of the German tradition, they just want a place for the whole family to commemorate. If a family is small, it will be commemorated together in one grave, but if a large family is separated, it will be remembered.
That’s why when we visited Franz Beckenbauer’s grave, we saw the same three names appearing on the memorial stele. On the wooden cross is the name and date of birth and death of Kaiser Beckenbauer, and behind is a large white stone stele commemorating his father and mother (year of birth and death recorded). Above the grave are many fresh flowers. On the left are photos and flowers that his fans brought to commemorate him.
We visited Beckenbauer’s grave on a Tuesday, so the cemetery was almost empty. However, on weekends, especially Saturdays, you may have to stand in long lines to visit Der Kaiser. Perlacher Forst Cemetery is unguarded and visitors are free to enter. It is known that, during his lifetime, Der Kaiser also wanted to rest in peace at Perlacher Forst, about 2 km from his childhood home. So, on the day he died (January 7, 2024), his relatives brought him here, placing him next to his parents, who passed away in 1977 and 2006, respectively.
Beckenbauer became famous on the field, but his life also had many dark corners. One of those hidden corners was the death of his eldest son, Stephan. At Perlacher Forst, there is also a grave commemorating his ill-fated eldest son, who died in 2015 from a brain tumor at the age of 46. However, Stephan’s memorial grave is located in a different location. Stephan has a wife and two sons, Lucas, born in 2000, currently playing as a central defender for Hannoverscher Sportverein Club, and Elias (2002) – an amateur player.
Born in Munich, Stephan started playing for Bayern’s youth team, but never rose to the first team during his two years from 1986-1988. The Emperor’s son spent most of his 11-year career in the lower leagues, playing for TSV 1860 Munich, Kickers Offenbach and FC Grenchen. After wandering around a number of different teams, Stephan retired in 1997 at the age of 28 and returned to Bayern, continuing to work with the Bavarian Gray Tigers as a scout and youth team coach.
Thus, four members of the Emperor’s family rested peacefully at Perlacher Forst cemetery, on the outskirts of Munich.
The emperor has an eternal grave
Normally, a grave is “purchased” within 30 years. After 30 years, if the deceased’s relatives and descendants do not pay more money, the memorial grave will be removed. However, Franz Beckenbauer is a special case. He has an eternal memorial at Perlacher Forst cemetery.