GERMANY’S ONLY FUNERAL CLOWN ONLY WANTS PEOPLE TO RETHINK DEATH

In some cultures, death is not something to be feared or something unusual. German culture is not one of them. That's why Kaala Knuffl makes for a strange figure, Carolin Gissibl reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Clutching white balloons, while wearing a red nose, the woman dressed as a clown walks down a row of gravestones and wooden crosses. She hasn't taken a wrong turn – the cemetery is her workplace.

Kaala Knuffl is a professional funeral clown. She doesn't only comfort the mourning, but she also plays the violin, juggles, improvises, gives a speech – or simply stands in the background. Kaala Knuffl's real name is Birgit Sauerschell, a psychologist.

In 2007, she completed basic training as a clown, and since then she has been working in hospitals to make severely ill children smile or has been performing at family parties and in nursing homes. "A clown isn't only funny, she's also sensitive and emotional," the 56-year-old says.

About two years ago, an idea hit her: What would happen if you link two apparent opposites, grief and humor? Ilka Kuhlmann and Gabriele Arnoldt were happy to have Kaala Knuffl's support when they organized a "memorial party" after the death of their mother, explicitly avoiding the term "mourning ceremony."

They added: "Our beloved mum never complained, she was always funny and often covered up sadness and pain with a smile and good spirits. Just like a clown: You expect her to make everyone laugh and be funny all the time – even though things often look different inside."

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