Stolpersteine come about through private people and local groups. They request a stone and pay for it. These are relatives, residents, schools, local foundations and history societies. Local volunteers do the research, look for relatives and ask the municipality for permission, because the pavement is public ground.
Who pays for a stone?
A sponsor pays for a stone. Many relatives ask for stones themselves. Families receive stones side by side, so they are together again in front of their home. Costs and waiting times differ by country and organisation, so no amounts are given here.
What volunteers do
Volunteers research the person’s life in archives. They look for relatives and then ask the municipality for permission. When a stone is laid, neighbours, relatives and schoolchildren are often present. For many years Gunter Demnig laid most stones himself. Archives such as the Joods Monument and the Oorlogsgravenstichting help with the research.
Who keeps the records?
Stichting 18 September is a foundation in Eindhoven. Since 2019 it has kept a database of Stolpersteine in the Netherlands and Belgium, together with local organisations, and it now also includes stones in other countries. Anyone may clean a stone without permission. If a stone is damaged, stolen or removed during roadworks, tell the local Stolpersteine group or the municipality, so it can be put back or replaced.
Which groups are commemorated
The stones commemorate people from all groups persecuted by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. These include Jews, Sinti and Roma, people persecuted for political reasons, resistance members, homosexual men, Jehovah’s Witnesses, victims of the “euthanasia” murders of sick and disabled people, forced labourers, deserters and conscientious objectors, and others. Stones are also laid for people who survived, for example by fleeing or going into hiding, so that families are shown complete.
Stolpersteine lie in about 30 European countries. The foundation works with local organisations, and there is a free app for iPhone and Android.
The map also shows, for each address, who is commemorated there, and which stones lie in a town.
To find the stones in your town, search the map of Stolpersteine.app by city.
Read on
Stolpersteine and 4 May: remembering at the front door
4 May is Remembrance of the Dead in the Netherlands, a common day to clean Stolpersteine. Anyone may clean a stone, and no permission is needed.
Stolpersteine on 27 January: cleaning stones and reading names
27 January is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a common day to clean Stolpersteine and read the names on them. Here is how to clean a stone.
How do you request or sponsor a Stolperstein for someone?
Stolpersteine are requested and paid for by private people and local groups. Municipal permission is needed. Costs vary by organisation.
