Cremation in Vienna

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Cremation process

Since prehistoric times, cremation has been the dominant form of interment throughout much of the world. One reason for this is our ever-increasing environmental awareness: although cremation requires significant use of energy, owing to modern filtration techniques it is more environmentally friendly than burial. Another reason often mentioned is that people do not like the idea of “feeding the worms” after death. Ultimately, a cremation is generally more affordable than a burial, which is a good enough reason for many people to choose this type of funeral:

With a cremation, the deceased is placed in a wooden casket and then incinerated in a crematorium. The ashes are placed in a simple ash capsule in the crematorium and hermetically sealed. The ash capsule is then usually placed in an outer urn.

An urn may be interred in a grave in a cemetery, taken home (with an appropriate permit) or scattered for a natural burial, e.g. under a tree in a forest cemetery or a burial at sea in the Mediterranean.

Cremation procedure

Austrian crematoriums are equipped with very high-quality filters to ensure the most environmentally-friendly cremation possible, using a cremation process lasting approximately two hours and occurring at temperatures between 900 and 1,200 degrees Celsius. Residue consists of the mineral component of the bones and remains of any medical implants and other metals. In the normal course of events, cremation remains are separated from the ashes after incineration and subjected to a recycling process, the proceeds of which are donated to charitable organisations by the crematorium. After cooling, bone fragments will be ground up and added to the ash capsule.

If you have chosen cremation, there are essentially two possibilities for the funeral service. A farewell ceremony can be held either before the cremation, in the presence of the casket, or after incineration with the urn present.

Our urns

Farewell ceremony or cremation service

Following the ceremony, the casket for the cremation will be transported to the crematorium by employees of the funeral home. In the case of a cremation in Vienna, the funeral service will also be held at the crematorium. The casket will descend into the floor at the end of the ceremony and in most cases the cremation will take place the same day. Usually around one week later, the immediate family will then gather at the chosen cemetery to bury the urn. The urn is normally interred in silence, that is, without ceremony.

Urn burial

Another, less expensive alternative is an urn burial. In this case the cremation will have taken place earlier. The mourners will take their leave from the deceased in the presence of the urn. The urn can be displayed at the cemetery in the chapel of rest. An urn funeral resembles a normal burial. At the end of the ceremony, the urn is transported to the burial site and interred. People with limited finances often opt for a short urn funeral beside the grave.

The lowest costs are incurred when the urn is stored at your home, because you avoid the cemetery charges, which make up a significant part of the funeral expenses.

Cremation in Vienna – we offer the following services:

Personal consultation at one of our offices
Handling the formalities (hospital, officials, etc.)
Organising the incineration
Agreement with the cemetery as well as church authorities or secular officiants
Displaying the urn by the graveside

Transport and collection of the deceased
Environmentally-friendly solid timber casket including fittings
Advice on the range of available urns
Organisation of an urn funeral
Organisation of music (live or recorded music)

If you have any questions about the various options for a cremation in Vienna, then please contact us. Our staff will be glad to advise you over the telephone or at a personal meeting.