Natural burials account for 43% of funerals in Vienna

Natural burials now make up 43% of funerals in Vienna, and the city’s cemetery operator is expanding its options, ORF reported. Renate Niklas, head of Friedhöfe Wien, said demand for natural graves was rising.

Choosing cremation or a natural grave is not necessarily a way to reduce costs, Niklas said. The price depends on the type of burial selected, while cemetery fees account for between 20% and 25% of burial costs. Annual grave fees start at 55 euros. Some natural burial options require no grave maintenance or fittings, with the cemetery taking care of them.

Until three years ago, a natural burial in Vienna required cremation. In October 2023, a natural burial area at Vienna Central Cemetery became the city’s first to allow coffin burials. Friedhöfe Wien now offers 10 types of natural graves across nine of the 46 cemeteries it manages.

Two new facilities at Liesing Cemetery are adding to the choice: a shrub grave area with 377 plots and an urn garden with 36 graves arranged in a semicircle.

Niklas said the operator also wants to make cemeteries welcoming to younger generations. Existing activities include fitness equipment at Meidling Cemetery, yoga classes at Central Cemetery and urban gardening at Neustift Cemetery, as well as Halloween events and concerts.