In Vrbno pod Pradědem, the funeral hall has been completed after 30 years

Vrbno pod Pradědem - The town hall in Vrbno pod Pradědem has completed the construction of the funeral hall after 30 years. Today, the first funeral ceremony took place there. The construction began in 1986. The building, which had never been completed or approved, is adorned with the statue "Odcházení" by Olbram Zoubek. The renowned sculptor created it back in 1989 when the building was also supposed to be finished. Pavla Müllerová (ANO), the deputy mayor of the town, told ČTK.

The construction of the funeral hall was halted in 1989 due to the revolutionary events in November. The building then remained neglected for a long time. There were also considerations for its demolition or conversion into storage facilities. “The construction did not continue for a long time because, in my opinion, there was a lack of political will. Moreover, any efforts to complete the funeral hall were complicated by the inability to obtain subsidies for the project,” the deputy mayor said.

Change occurred in 2012. The then city leadership had the roof repaired for 2.5 million crowns. Current representatives continued the reconstruction, investing 7.5 million crowns from the city budget.

Work began in 2015 and included a complete overhaul of the facade and interior spaces. There are now public restrooms located in the basement of the building, which will be available during the funeral ceremonies. At the same time, there is an office for the funeral services coordinator, a city official responsible for the funeral hall and the management of two cemeteries.

This position was established by the town hall in connection with the completion of the repair of the funeral hall and is unique among municipalities. “Usually, funeral services rent funeral halls from towns and municipalities. Since our building is so unique, we did not want to go down that route,” Müllerová said. Therefore, the town will organize funeral ceremonies and last farewells itself. It will cooperate with one funeral home, which will only provide the transport of the deceased.

Müllerová sees the uniqueness of the building in its architectural design. “It is modern yet not excessive. It features beautiful stained glass,” she said. The heart of the hall is Zoubek's statue "Odcházení," which the artist created for the funeral hall back in 1989. The town had kept it stored in the attic of the town hall building for nearly 30 years.

City officials are also considering building a columbarium in the basement of the building or a scattering meadow. “We believe that the residents of the town will appreciate a dignified opportunity to organize a last farewell. We expect that residents from surrounding municipalities will also use the funeral hall,” the deputy mayor said.