Multidisciplinary Exhibition “The Beginning”

Women in Remembrance Culture (WIRC) invites you to a multidisciplinary exhibition titled The Beginning, opening on 29 October 2026 in Dresden, Germany.

Exploring Remembrance and Forgetting

What happens to people, stories, and artifacts without other people to see, appreciate, and preserve them… nothing? The exhibition DER AUFTAKT (The Beginning) explores this boundary—the line between forgetting and remembering—and presents different artistic positions that place remembrance, or the call for engagement with these issues, at the centre of their work.

The exhibition not only presents different perspectives across the spectrum of art and activism but also introduces the members of the association Women in Remembrance Culture e.V. (WIRC), newly founded in 2025.

Women in Remembrance Culture

The association Women in Remembrance Culture brings together women working in the arts and academia to make specifically female perspectives visible and to anchor them in German and international Cultures of Remembrance. In the past, female perspectives in German and international Cultures of Remembrance have either not been considered or documented at all, or have not been sufficiently represented—and certainly not in a way that even begins to reflect gender parity. For this reason, the Cultures of Remembrance has thus far been shaped by purely or predominantly male perspectives. Through national and international artistic projects, the association aims to remedy this situation and thereby contribute to a truly gender-inclusive and balanced Culture of Remembrance.

About the Exhibition

The exhibition opening will take place on 29 October 2026, at 18:00 at Oschatzer Straße 7 in Dresden, Germany, featuring works by artists Natalia Bougai, Susan Donath, Valérie Madoka Naito, and Heike Richter.

Natalia Bougai

Natalia Bougai, a visual artist, explores her father’s photographic archive. As an amateur photographer, he documented the family’s life. Developing the photos together played a special role for all family members. Many years later, Bougai asked her family to describe these shared moments. The memories they shared form the basis for her artistic work The Red Evening—a performative sound-and-space installation with video. These intimate insights extend beyond the private sphere, creating a panorama of the life of a Russian-Ukrainian family from the past to the present.

Susan Donath

Susan Donath, a visual artist, noticed that the former synagogue in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic) rarely appears as a subject on postcards and in photographs. She began searching for postcards featuring the synagogue either as the sole subject or as part of cityscapes. At the same time, she collected material from Dresden, Görlitz, and Teplice. She realised that depictions of synagogues on postcards are often the only remaining visual records of these synagogues today. To make the collected visual material accessible, she published it on the website in 2023: https://www.xn--die-bilder-kommen-zurck-wpc.com/

Valérie Madoka Naito

Valérie Madoka Naito, an architect and documentary filmmaker, accompanied artist Susan Donath to Střekov Cemetery in Ústí nad Labem in 2023 to document the visit on film. Filmed up close, Donath is seen tending to the only grave bearing a German-Czech inscription, a task she has undertaken since 2008. Donath recounts touching encounters with passers-by and shares the findings of her research, which span from royalist Europe to the expulsion of the German minority after World War II. https://naito.eu/

Heike Richter

Heike Richter, an activist in the field of cemetery culture, explicitly advocates for the preservation of “overlooked” gravestones. Every gravestone reflects a person’s story and has the potential to become a memorial. Once the lease on a burial plot expires, the gravestones disappear—and with them, often the last record of a person’s life. Preserving gravestones allows us to remember people and their stories. The gravestone of Eugen Kornblum, located at the Innerer Matthäusfriedhof in Dresden, belongs to a Jewish merchant who survived in a “Judenhaus” until 1945 but was unable to flee during the bombing raid on the night of 13 February 1945.

Portugal’s 5th Cultural Week in Cemeteries

From 10 to 18 October 2026, guided tours, thematic walks, night visits, conferences, workshops and other engaging activities will take place across cemeteries in Portugal.

About the event

From 10 to 18 October 2026, cemeteries across Portugal will once again open their doors for the 5th edition of the Cultural Week in Cemeteries, a programme dedicated to the discovery, appreciation and understanding of funerary heritage.

The initiative offers a diverse programme of guided and night tours, thematic walks, conferences, study days, talks, exhibitions, storytelling, book presentations, workshops and family activities, exploring cemeteries from a wide range of perspectives, including history, art history, architecture, archaeology, nature, philosophy and anthropology.

Through this diverse programme, the Cultural Week in Cemeteries aims to foster public engagement with cemeteries as places of memory, history, art and cultural identity, encouraging new ways of understanding and experiencing these spaces beyond their funerary function.

Locations and partners

This year's edition brings together several cemeteries that are members of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), including Prazeres and Alto de São João Cemeteries in Lisbon, and Lapa Cemetery in Porto. All three are recognised as Significant Cemeteries by ASCE, highlighting the importance of collaboration between members in the preservation and promotion of European funerary heritage.

The 2026 programme also expands its geographical reach, with new partners and activities taking place in several Portuguese cities, and includes a collaboration with the Goethe-Institut's Falar sobre a morte (nunca matou ninguém) festival.

2nd Interdisciplinary Conference on Cemeteries

On 16 October, the 2nd Interdisciplinary Conference on Cemeteries will bring together researchers, specialists and members of the public for a day of discussion and knowledge-sharing at the Biblioteca Orlando Ribeiro in Lisbon.

Additional information and registration

All activities are free of charge, but prior registration is required at cemiterios.visitas@cm-lisboa.pt.

For more information, visit www.informacao.lisboa.pt.

Arts and Crafts at Piratello Cemetery

On 31 October 2026, a special guided tour will take place at the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy, as part of the 23rd National Urban Trekking Day.

About Urban Trekking 2026

Urban Trekking is an annual national initiative promoting sustainable tourism and heritage exploration across Italian cities. The 2026 edition takes place on 31 October and 1 November under the theme “Saint Francis 1226–2026: In the Footsteps of the Essential.” This year's programme features 20 guided itineraries across Bologna and neighboring towns, including special tours of historic and monumental cemeteries.

The Arts and Crafts Event

As part of Urban Trekking 2026, the guided tour “Arts and Crafts at Piratello Cemetery” will take place at the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy. Organized by the social cooperative Le Guide d’Arte in collaboration with Area Blu SpA, this family-friendly walking tour covers a 2-kilometer route over 2 hours, dedicated to the site's artistic, historical, and industrial legacy.

• Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
• Departure Times: 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM
• Meeting Point: In front of the Area Blu SpA offices at Piratello Cemetery, Imola

Participants will explore the resting places of notable local artists, including Anacleto Margotti, Tonino Gottarelli, and Amleto Montevecchi, while admiring funerary monuments ranging from Liberty style to Neorealism by sculptors like Arturo Orsoni, Giuseppe Casalini, and Germano Sartelli. The walk also highlights Imola's industrial and craft history, focusing on brick and terracotta production through monuments like the 1920s Gallotti family tomb and architect Mirri's terracotta plaques, along with stories of local figures from agriculture, pharmacy, and trade.

Booking Information

The guided tour is free of charge, but advance booking is required due to limited places. To attend the event, fill out the Urban Trekking online registration form available HERE. Bookings open on 14 October 2026, at 9:00 AM.

For additional information, contact the organizers via WhatsApp at +39 347 7425404 or visit www.bolognawelcome.com.

Free guided tours at the New Cemetery of Belgrade

On 20 September 2026, the New Cemetery of Belgrade began its autumn programme of free guided tours.

Autumn Guided Tours

JKP “Pogrebne usluge” Beograd is organising four free thematic walks taking place between September and November 2026 at the New Cemetery of Belgrade, Serbia. The tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore the cemetery’s cultural and historical heritage through stories of prominent figures buried there.

The autumn programme is taking place in a year marking the 140th anniversary of the New Cemetery, the 25th anniversary of ASCE, and 15 years since the first guided tour was organised at the cemetery as part of Belgrade International Architecture Week.

Programme

➤ 20 September 2026 – Great Loves of Serbian Greats
Exploring the love stories, relationships and personal lives of notable Serbian figures.

➤ 4 October 2026 – Twentieth-Century Writers and Poets
A tour dedicated to prominent Serbian writers and poets buried at the New Cemetery.

➤ 18 October 2026 – Theatre and Film Actors
Exploring the lives and legacies of prominent Serbian theatre and film actors.

➤ 1 November 2026 – Military Leaders and Heroes of the First World War
Focusing on distinguished military leaders and First World War heroes buried at the New Cemetery.

Each tour begins at 11:00 and lasts approximately two hours. The meeting point is the plaza by the main entrance to the New Cemetery at Ruzveltova 50, Belgrade. The tours are led by art historian Dr Violeta Obrenović and are free of charge, with no registration required.

For further information about the programme, visit the Beogradska groblja website.

Video Highlights

Watch some short videos of the thematic walks at the New Cemetery of Belgrade.

Opening Guided Tour at the New Cemetery of Belgrade

20 September 2026

Thematic walk exploring the love stories, relationships and personal lives of notable Serbian figures.

Guided Tour at the New Cemetery of Belgrade

18 October 2026

Thematic walk exploring the lives and legacies of prominent Serbian theatre and film actors.

Music and Reflection at Piratello Cemetery

On 13 September 2026, a special event will be held at the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy, as part of the Naturalmente Imola 2026 programme.

About Naturalmente Imola

Naturalmente Imola (Eng. Naturally Imola) is a cultural and environmental initiative promoted by the Municipality of Imola, Italy. The 2026 edition, dedicated to the theme “The Essential Made Visible to the Eye,” celebrates the city’s green spaces and their essential role in our well-being and our appreciation of beauty.

Programme

On 13 September 2026 at 6:30 PM, a special event titled “Fugace” will take place at the Piratello Monumental Cemetery on Via Emilia Ponente in Imola, featuring a walk through the cemetery followed by a classical music performance.

The experience will begin with a short, silent walk among the cemetery’s tombs, statues, chapels, and gravestones. This peaceful journey will create an intimate atmosphere, balancing artistic solemnity with existential reflection. Through this experience, the cemetery will take on a new role—as a theatre, an open-air museum, and a space for contemplation and meditation.

The walk will be followed by a solo double bass performance by Roberto Bartoli, one of the most interesting and original double bassists on the Italian music scene. He has performed at international festivals across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, and has appeared regularly on RAI-Radio3 programmes, including Battiti and I concerti del Quirinale.

Reservations Required

The event is free of charge, but advance booking is required. To reserve your place, please call 0542 602300 or email attivita.culturali@comune.imola.bo.it.

Poetry and music at Mühlau Cemetery 2026

On 25 July 2026, a contemplative afternoon of music and poetry took place at Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, under the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

About the event

On Saturday, 25 July 2026, visitors to Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, enjoyed a contemplative and joyful afternoon centred on the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

The programme featured music by Gabriele Goller, rhythmic drum and percussion accompaniment by Bernhard Noriller, and a mime performance by Franz Unger. Alexander Legniti and Paul Fülöp recited lyrical and poetic texts inspired by the evening theme. Participants also walked past the grave of the renowned Expressionist poet Georg Trakl, whose life and work were marked by the First World War.

With sunshine and a peaceful atmosphere, the afternoon brought together music, poetry and mime, creating an inspiring and memorable experience.

Poem

THE MOMENT OF ETERNITY
We
are part of eternity,
and eternity will last forever –
only we not – just never!
But the moment knows no bounds,
because it resonates eternity,
and that sounds
like our reality.

Legniti Alexander ©

Photos from the event

Cemetery Festival 2026 at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery

On 28 June 2026, the second annual Cemetery Festival took place at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery in Cēsis, Latvia.

About the Event

The second annual Cemetery Festival, which took place on 28 June 2026 at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery in Cēsis, Latvia, brought together poetry, music, history, and remembrance, continuing the gradual return of this long-neglected heritage site to the cultural life of Cēsis.

The programme featured newly written literary epitaphs by Latvian poet Jānis Rokpelnis that offered concise, witty, and sometimes ironic portraits of Cēsis townspeople buried in the cemetery, created from fragments of their biographies, characters, and destinies. Another highlight was the first presentation of Latvian translations of poems by Aleksis Adolphi (1815–1874), the first town doctor of Cēsis and also a poet. The poems were translated from German by contemporary poet Ivars Šteinbergs. A lyrical musical atmosphere was created by the choir “Beverīna”, while Didzis Kreicbergs, pastor of St John’s Church in Cēsis, shared reflections on the passing of time, memory, and continuity.

A particularly significant moment was the unveiling of the restored grave monument of Albert Hollander (1796–1868), an educator and founder of the Bērzaine (Birkenruh) Gymnasium. The restoration marks another step in the ongoing work of documenting, preserving, and gradually restoring the historic monuments of the cemetery.

Cemetery History and Preservation

The Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery, established in 1773, is one of the most important historic burial grounds in the town. For more than two centuries, it served as the resting place for generations of Cēsis residents, whose life stories form an essential part of the town’s history. The cemetery also bears visible traces of the damage and neglect suffered during the Soviet occupation, including broken crosses, damaged grave slabs, and overturned monuments.

In recent years, Cēsis Municipality, the Cēsis Museum, researchers, conservators, and the local community have worked step by step to rediscover and revalue this heritage site. More than 800 grave monuments or fragments have been documented, and information about the cemetery’s history and about 650 identified individuals buried there is now available at kapseta.cesis.lv.

Public activities play an important role in the cemetery’s revival. Since 2024, thematic guided tours, monument restoration, conservation workshops, and public events have helped local residents and visitors see the cemetery not only as a burial ground, but also as a place of memory, history, learning, and community gathering. Since 2025, the annual Cemetery Festival has become one of the key public events supporting this process.

Photos from Cemetery Festival 2026

WDEC 2026 in Lithuania

Highlights from the guided walks at historic cemeteries in Lithuania that were held as part of Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026.

About the Event

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, the Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania organized several educational guided walks across Lithuanian cemeteries. Aligned with this year's global emphasis on quality education, these initiatives successfully highlighted Lithuania's historic burial grounds not merely as places of mourning, but as open-air museums rich in architectural, historical, and regional heritage.

Guided Walks at the Historic Cemeteries of Vilnius

In the capital city of Vilnius, the public was invited to explore some of the country's most significant historic cemeteries. Led by historian Vida Girininkienė, a series of three specialized educational walks took place at Rasos Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery:

• 27 May 2026 | Educational walk “Historical Rasos”
• 28 May 2026 | Educational walk “Artistic Rasos”
• 29 May 2026 | Educational walk “Antakalnis Cemetery: Historical Cross-Sections”

Guided Walk at Panevėžys Old Cemetery

In northern Lithuania, an educational event took place in Panevėžys on 28 May 2026. The event began in the education hall of the Panevėžys Local Lore Museum, featuring introductory greetings from the head of the division, Rasuolė Kerbedienė, and specialized presentations by cultural heritage experts Indrė Baliulytė and Rasa Visockaitė.

Following the presentations, museum historians Dr. Arūnas Astramskas and Jūratė Gaidelienė led an interactive educational walk at the Panevėžys Old Cemetery (also known as the St. Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery) entitled “Memory in Cemeteries: Personal or Public?” During the walk, they guided participants through the distinctive local funerary art and regional history of the site.

Event Highlights

For more details, visit the organizers' website.

Some highlights from the guided walks at Panevėžys Old Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius can be seen in the videos below.

WDEC 2026 tour and performance at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin

Highlights of the WDEC 2026 guided tour and live student performance honoring civilian war victims at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin on 5 June 2026.

About the event

On Friday, 5 June 2026, the Monumental Cemetery of Turin hosted a special event as part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC) 2026 and Archivissima 2026. The event was organised by AFC Torino S.p.A. in collaboration with the National Association of Civilian War Victims (ANVCG) and the Historical Archive and Cultural Heritage Office of the Waldensian Board.

Guided Tour

Starting at 5:30 PM, the programme featured a guided tour titled “La ______ mancante. Perdite e lacune nelle storie delle vittime civili di guerra” (“The Missing ______. Losses and gaps in the stories of civilian war victims”). Led by Federica Tammarazio, a prominent art historian and archivist, the tour explored themes of memory, archival gaps and the stories of civilian victims of war, in line with Archivissima’s 2026 core topic, “Quello che non c’è” (“What is not there”).

Live Performance

The historical exploration concluded with a powerful emotional impact at the Campo della Gloria (Field of Glory). Students from the Liceo Coreutico Teatrale Germana Erba delivered a moving live performance. Using the universal languages of dance and theater, the young artists brought the archival narratives to life, giving voice to those who could no longer speak and transforming historical memory into a vibrant call for peace.

You can watch the full performance in the video below.

Highlights from the WDEC 2026 in Krakow

Highlights and photographs from the guided walk held on 27 May 2026 at the New Cemetery of Podgórze in Kraków, Poland.

About the event

More than 30 people attended the guided walk “In the Footsteps of Famous People”, held on 27 May 2026 at the New Cemetery of Podgórze in Kraków. The event was organised by the Association PODGORZE.PL as part of this year’s Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC).

Following a short introduction to the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) and the idea behind WDEC, participants were presented with a brief history of the cemetery. The walk then continued with visits to eight graves of notable individuals buried there, including scouts, painters, and soldiers.

The tour was guided by members of the Association PODGORZE.PL together with invited guests.

More information about the event is available at: https://podgorze.pl/kolejny-spacer-po-nowym-cmentarzu-podgorskim-za-nami/

Photos from the event

WDEC 2026 in Barcelona Cemeteries

As part of the WDEC 2026, Cementiris de Barcelona is showcasing its educational programme “Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage”.

About the programme

One of the pillars of Cementiris de Barcelona is its educational service, which works to promote Barcelona’s cemeteries as cultural assets of exceptional importance, fostering public knowledge and helping to normalize death. This mission is reflected in the programme "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage". Although featured during WDEC 2026, the programme is not limited to this one week. Educational activities are conducted throughout the year across several Barcelona cemeteries, demonstrating the organisation’s long-term commitment to learning, cultural heritage, and community engagement.

The educational activities, tailored to various learning stages, offer a unique opportunity to explore the rich funerary heritage of the Poblenou and Montjuïc cemeteries—both classified as monumental by the Council of Europe—as well as the Funeral Carriage Collection, the Funerary Library, and other cemeteries in Barcelona. Together, these sites represent a significant cultural legacy and a collective memory shared by society.

This initiative is led by the team at Cementiris de Barcelona: highly qualified professionals committed to continuous improvement, who balance compassionate care for families during the farewell process with excellence in educational outreach. By engaging students in meaningful educational experiences, the educators foster deep respect for heritage preservation while working to normalise death as an essential, natural part of life.

By addressing a fundamental topic that remains taboo for many, these activities provide a supportive space for reflection. The subject of mortality is approached with the utmost respect for diverse beliefs, religions, and cultural traditions, allowing participants to fully appreciate the rich symbolic expressions that define Barcelona’s funerary heritage.

You can read more about the programme HERE.

WDEC 2026 at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri

On 26 May 2026, a special guided walk for local students took place at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri (Moldova), focusing on education, memory and local history.

A guided walk for local pupils

As part of WDEC 2026, the Volintiri Municipality and the “Maria Biesu” local school organised a special guided walk for students at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri on 26 May 2026. Bringing together education, local heritage and community memory, the activity invited pupils to explore the graves of local teachers and reflect on the lasting role of educators in shaping local identity, values and history.

At the cemetery, pupils discovered that local heritage is not only preserved in books, but also in places that keep the community’s memory alive. Guided by two local teachers—Ms Angela Tih (school director) and Mr Stepan Efremov (history teacher)—the group walked from one grave to another, focusing on the resting places of educators and school staff who shaped generations in Volintiri.

The visit was designed as a learning journey. At each stop, pupils were encouraged to listen, ask questions and reflect: What does a teacher leave behind? How do schools and families carry values forward? How does a village remember those who served it? These discussions naturally connected education with identity and civic responsibility, showing that “quality education” is also about respect, gratitude and continuity.

From remembrance to action

A key moment of the activity focused on preserving memory. We talked about the importance of maintaining teachers’ graves, especially those who no longer have relatives able to care for them, as well as renewing a local tradition of visiting these places with pupils to clean and maintain them. In this way, remembrance becomes action and offers pupils a practical lesson in community responsibility.

To extend learning beyond the cemetery visit, pupils were encouraged to continue the conversation at home by starting with a simple question: “What does the word cemetery mean?” This helped connect school learning with family dialogue, strengthening intergenerational understanding of local history and heritage.

Through this activity, the Lower Cemetery became more than a place of remembrance—it became a meaningful learning space where education meets memory, and where pupils can see how local history is preserved through people, places and shared responsibility.

Photos from the event

*Photos source: www.facebook.com/PrimariaVolintiri

WDEC 2026 at Vienna Central Cemetery

Discover the programme of activities taking place during WDEC 2026 at Vienna’s Central Cemetery in Austria under the motto “What really matters in the end?”.

What really matters in the end?

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, Bestattung Wien and Friedhöfe Wien are hosting a series of events centred on saying goodbye, remembrance and living forms of commemoration, taking place from 26 to 30 May 2026.

What remains of a person? What do we remember today, tomorrow and many years from now? Under the motto “What really matters in the end?”, this themed week is dedicated to the core of their work – dignified farewells, remembrance and the continuation of stories. The focus is on what truly matters to people in the end, which is making remembrance possible, whether through rituals that provide comfort or places where grief, love and connection can find their place.

Visitors can expect a wide range of events addressing topics such as end-of-life planning, bereavement support, places of remembrance and new ways of saying goodbye.

Renate Niklas, Managing Director of Friedhöfe Wien GmbH, emphasises: “Cemeteries are spaces of remembrance. They give people the opportunity to commemorate, to pass on life stories and to feel a sense of closeness, even when someone is missing. With this themed week, we are showcasing this diversity and highlighting the special role of cemeteries as places of encounter right in the heart of the city.”

Jürgen Sild, Managing Director of Bestattung Wien GmbH, emphasises the social aspect: “We support people during difficult times in their lives and are responsible for ensuring that farewells are conducted with dignity and in a contemporary manner. As part of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group, we see ourselves not merely as service providers, but as a central point of contact for all matters relating to farewells, bereavement and death, in the spirit of providing comprehensive public services.”

All events are free of charge; for some, registration is required due to limited capacity.

Programme

➤ May 26 to 30 | Exhibition opening: As in Heaven – Europe’s Impressive Domed Vaults

At the Church of St Borromeo at Vienna’s Central Cemetery, the exhibition “As in Heaven” by photographer Gerd W. Götzenbrucker offers a new perspective on the perception of sacred architecture. The focus is on large-format photographs of impressive European church domes. The dome of the cemetery church is presented as an integral part of the exhibition.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26 to 30, 2026, daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Location: Church of St Borromeo at the Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• More info: WIE IM HIMMEL – KREATIVBÜRO FRISCHESGRAS

➤ May 26 | Guided Tour: Graves of Honour at Vienna’s Central Cemetery – “Noble, poor or rich, death makes us all equal”

This tour offers deep insights into Vienna’s Central Cemetery. Participants will discover its origins, organization, and the daily working life of Europe’s second-largest cemetery. The walk highlights its unique art and architecture, alongside fascinating stories of well-known figures from politics, art, and culture who have found their final resting place here.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM
• Starting point: Central Cemetery, Gate 2 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 26 | Lecture: Farewell in Vienna – Funerals and Cemeteries

A bereavement is always an emotionally challenging situation. Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries provide information on how to make funeral arrangements. In addition to funeral planning, the lecture covers topics such as organising a funeral service, the first steps to take following a death, and the variety of grave types available, ranging from traditional coffin graves to urn and natural graves.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
• Location: PVÖ Ottakring District Organisation (Koppstraße 100, 1160 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries

➤ May 27 | Keynote Talk & Panel Discussion: Near-death & Near-death Experiences

This event features a keynote lecture titled “Near-Death & Near-Death Experiences” by Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert). It is followed by a moderated panel discussion with Prof. Dr Rotraud Perner (psychotherapist/psychoanalyst, Protestant theologian), Brigitte Guschlbauer (author), Mag. Jan Sokora (Catholic priest, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Church at the Central Cemetery), Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert), exploring medical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives on what happens at the threshold of life and death. Moderator: Alwin Schönberger (head of the science section at the news magazine “profil”), 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
• Location: Simmering Crematorium Cemetery, Crematorium Room 4 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 28 | VHS Educational Walk: The Circular Economy of Life and Death

How can a space dedicated to farewell also become a hub for welcome transformation? This educational walk, part of the "Circular (Economy) in Motion" series, explores the Vienna Central Cemetery as a fascinating setting for uninterrupted life cycles. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Funeral Museum and a guided tour of the cemetery grounds focusing on how modern circular economy principles are applied to cemetery operations, resource conservation, and wildlife habitats.

From resource-conserving day-to-day management to burial practices that blend tradition with sustainability, this tour offers a forward-looking perspective. It is particularly suitable for those interested in lived sustainability, the practicalities of cemetery work, and the uniquely Viennese sense of humor surrounding burial culture.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 28, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Starting point: VHS Simmering (Gottschalkgasse 10, 1110 Vienna)
• End point: Vienna Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Adult Education Centres (VHS), in cooperation with Friedhöfe Wien GmbH and Bestattung Wien
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 18+)

NOTE: Part of the route uses public transport.

➤ May 29 | Fire Celebration: Exclusive Guided Tours of the Vienna Crematorium

Under the guiding question "What truly matters in the end?", Friedhöfe Wien and Bestattung Wien present an exclusive guided tour of the Vienna Crematorium. These tours aim to demystify the cremation process and provide educational insights into what happens behind the scenes, from technical facilities and safety measures to fire safety.

In a space where grief, love, and connection are given room to breathe, these tours address the core of dignified farewells. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the infrastructure and rituals that provide support to the living while honoring the stories of those who have passed.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM (tours last approx. 1.5 hours)
• Location: Main entrance, Feuerhalle Simmering Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizer: Friedhöfe Wien GmbH
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 10+)
• Tours language: German

NOTE: Maximum 25 people per tour. Registration required via post@friedhoefewien.at. When registering, kindly indicate your preferred time slot. Participation is only valid once a confirmation has been received.

➤ May 29 | Mourning Café & Designing a Nature-Inspired Memorial Site

No one understands grief better than those who are grieving themselves. The Bereavement Café offers an opportunity to connect and share experiences with people who are currently going through the same thing, supported by Caritas bereavement counsellors. 

Additionally, a special memorial activity takes place at the new natural burial site “Flower Meadow Graves”. There is a large deadwood hedge which can be decorated with flowers. People from the Grief Café and beyond are invited to drop by and decorate the deadwood hedge with flowers as a memorial. The flowers can be collected from the Phönix cafeteria from 9.00 am. 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Flower collection and hedge decorating starts from 9:00 AM)
• Location: Cafeteria Phönix (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna – next to the crematorium at Simmering Cemetery)
• Organizers: Bestattung Wien in cooperation with the Caritas Bereavement Support Centre

➤ May 30 | Guided Tour: Natural Burial in the Vienna Woods

More and more people are opting for a natural urn burial where the ashes return to the cycle of nature. The “Waldesruh” forest cemetery near Breitenfurt in the Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve offers exactly that. Stefanie Balog-Rueber from Green City Vienna and an expert from Bestattung Wien will guide you through the woodland cemetery, explaining everything about natural burials and introducing the local flora and fauna of the Vienna Woods.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 30, 2026
• Location: “Waldesruh” woodland cemetery (near Breitenfurt, Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve)
• Guides: Stefanie Balog-Rueber (Green City Vienna) and an expert from Bestattung Wien

Additional Information

For further details regarding the described activities or to access the full programme of events, please utilize the contact information and resources provided below.

• Contact person: Julia Stering
• Email: kommunikation@friedhoefewien.at
• Phone: 0664 88483282
• Full list of events: www.friedhoefewien.at/schwerpunktwoche-2026

*Photo source: www.friedhoefewien.at