Geborgen verhalen
About us
Stories That Keep Us Close
When I was sixteen years old, I lost my mother, Petra Borger.
After her funeral, my family received a small booklet from her colleagues, filled with memories and stories about who she was and what she meant to the people around her.
More than fifteen years later, I still return to that booklet.
Not only because it reminds me of her, but because it allows me to keep discovering her. Through the eyes of others, I continue to uncover new stories, memories and parts of her that I sometimes recognize in myself.
That booklet became the foundation of Geborgen Verhalen ((Stories That Keep Us Close).
A company with a simple mission: to help loved ones feel that someone remains close, even after they are gone.
Because in the end, I do not only miss my mother.
I miss the opportunity to get to know her in every stage of life.
I miss the questions I can never ask again.
And I see how memories slowly fade when they are not preserved.
At the funerals I have attended, I have noticed the same thing happening time and time again.
The most meaningful stories are shared in a hug, over a cup of coffee, or in a quiet conversation in the hallway. It is in those moments that people recall memories that reveal who someone truly was.
Yet when people write in a condolence book, it often comes down to just a few words: "My condolences" or "Wishing you strength."
And that is such a shame. Because it is the personal stories and anecdotes that keep someone alive. Stories about small moments, unique qualities, friendships and the impact a person had on the lives of others.
Yet those are often the very stories that get lost. As I experienced myself, the period surrounding a loss is often a blur of grief. Beautiful stories are shared, but not everything stays with you. That is exactly why these memories deserve a place that lasts.
That is why we created Geborgen Verhalen (Stories That Keep Us Close) – Connecting After Life.
A digital space where family, friends and everyone around a loved one can help keep their memory alive. Through a simple QR code that can be shared on a funeral card, during a memorial service, or after the funeral.
People can easily share memories through text, audio or video.
Together, these contributions create a lasting collection of stories that loved ones can read, watch and listen to again and again.
These memories are ultimately brought together in a beautiful remembrance book.
For funeral professionals, Geborgen Verhalen (Stories That Keep Us Close) offers a meaningful extension of the support they provide to families. While traditional condolence books often contain only a few words, Geborgen Verhalen helps bring the stories behind a life to life.
At the same time, we discovered something remarkable.
Many people only realize the value of preserving stories after experiencing loss. It is often then that people begin to think about their legacy. About what they want to leave behind.
That is why Geborgen Verhalen not only helps people connect after life, but also during life.
With thoughtful questions, AI-assisted writing support, and speech, audio and video technology, it has never been easier to capture and preserve life stories.
I would have given anything to have a book like this from my mother.
To hear her voice again.
To listen to a message meant for a special moment in my life.
But most of all, to hear her say, over and over again: "I love you."
During life, we want to connect with one another.
After life, we want to keep feeling someone's presence.
For both, there is Geborgen Verhalen.