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Funeral Museum Vienna: A Morbidly Fascinating Journey

Explore Vienna's unique funeral traditions at the Bestattungsmuseum Wien, located within the city's famous Central Cemetery.

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Delve into Vienna's unique relationship with death at the Funeral Museum, located within the Central Cemetery. Explore funeral customs, burial rites, and the Viennese perspective on mortality through a collection of over 250 original objects and photographic materials.

A brief summary to Funeral Museum Vienna

  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • The museum is located within the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery), one of the largest cemeteries in Europe, so allow ample time to explore the grounds as well.
  • Consider purchasing a Vienna City Card for discounts on admission and access to public transportation.
  • The museum shop offers unique and quirky souvenirs related to the theme of death and Viennese funeral culture.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From central Vienna, take the U3 subway line to Simmering station. Transfer to the 71 tram towards Zentralfriedhof and get off at the Zentralfriedhof 2. Tor (Gate 2) stop. The museum is located inside the Central Cemetery, near Gate 2. The walk from the tram stop to the museum entrance is approximately 5 minutes, following signs within the cemetery. A single ticket for public transport within Vienna costs €2.40 and is valid for one journey, including transfers.

  • Driving

    If driving, take the A23 motorway and exit at St. Marx. Follow signs towards Zentralfriedhof. Limited parking is available near Gate 2. Parking fees vary, but expect to pay around €2-€3 per hour. Alternatively, consider parking at one of the Park & Ride facilities near a U3 subway station (such as Simmering U3 Parkgarage, Simmeringer Hauptstraße 171) and taking the subway and tram to avoid potential parking difficulties directly at the cemetery. Parking at Simmering U3 Parkgarage costs €2.90 per hour or €9.90 per day.

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Discover more about Funeral Museum Vienna

The Funeral Museum Vienna, or Bestattungsmuseum Wien, offers a captivating and slightly unsettling journey into the Viennese perspective on death and burial. Situated within the sprawling Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery), one of the largest cemeteries in Europe, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of funeral customs, burial rites, funerary art, and the evolution of Vienna's unique relationship with mortality. Founded in 1967, the museum initially resided in the 4th district before relocating to its current location beneath the historic chapel of rest within the Central Cemetery. This move placed the museum in a thematically fitting environment, surrounded by the very subject it explores. The museum's collection comprises over 250 original objects and photographic materials, offering a tangible connection to the past. These artifacts illustrate the changing practices and attitudes towards death in Vienna, from the opulent funerals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the more modern and practical approaches of today. The Viennese have long held a distinctive fascination with death, a concept often summarized by the term "schöne Leich'" (a beautiful corpse or funeral). When the Austro-Hungarian Empire was at its peak, people paid heavily to ensure they would be remembered. Their obsession with a "schöne Leiche" prompted them to save money to ensure their send off was as grand as possible. A real curiosity on display in the Bestattungsmuseum is the re-usable coffin instigated in 1784 by Emperor Joseph II, in an attempt to save wood and to hasten decomposition. The coffins were equipped with a trap underneath to drop the bodies in the graves and kept for another funeral. But the Viennese protests led to the cancellation of the law within six months. Interactive exhibits enhance the visitor experience, offering insights into contemporary funeral practices and allowing visitors to explore various aspects of death and mourning. The museum is modern and interactive in an expansive area under the historic chapel of rest. Visitors learn intriguing information about the Viennese funeral service, the funeral industry, the history of Vienna's cemeteries, and the enigmatic Viennese cult of the dead.

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