Hertha BSC and the grief culture: a new way in football

The relevance of mourning culture in football: A look at Hertha BSC

The role of a football club goes far beyond the square. For many fans, the club is an expanded family, which also includes dealing with grief. Hertha BSC in Berlin shows how important a sensitive culture of mourning is in club life, especially after the unexpected death of its president, Kay Bernstein, on January 16, 2024.

a project for more sensitivity

Hertha BSC has been working since the beginning of 2022 as part of the “Grief under the floodlights” project, which is supported by the “Pool to promote innovative football and fan culture” (whistle) of German Football League. It was an initiative that, among other things, pursues the goal of promoting the recognition and support of mourning processes within the association and its fan community.

an unforeseen turning point

The sudden news of Bernstein's death came to the fore the topic of mourning culture in an unexpected way. "Wherever you live, it is also mourned. For many fans, this is above all the domestic stadium," explains Carlo Kosok, project manager at BBAG e.V. - Kickin!. The concepts developed as part of the project now had to be implemented quickly. This urgency gave the project a new dimension and showed how important it is that sports clubs offer support in times of crisis.

strengthen responsibility and the community

Hertha BSC recognizes his responsibility to offer members and fans a contact point in mourning cases. "Since we experience a steadily increasing number of members and an enormous encouragement, this also results in an increased number of mourning cases," says provisional President Fabian Drescher. Actions such as visiting funerals and writing condolence letters are just a few of the measures that enable supporters to process the loss of their loved ones together.

a strong network for the future

The “Grief under the floodlights” project should not be regarded as a completed initiative. Because of the sustainable successes, plan kickin! And "grief and football", to continue working in the area of ​​mourning culture. A network of over 80 members has formed that offers regular online meetings and annual presence meetings to promote exchange.

conclusion: football as a place of community

Hertha BSC shows that football is more than just a game. It is a place where people come together to share joy, but also to commit grief. The development of a grief culture within the association is an important step not only for the relatives, but also for the entire community. At a time when social bonds are often in the foreground, the ability to offer support in painful moments is essential.