Sammlung Friedhof am Hörnli
Swiss museum of funeral culture in the old crematorium of the Friedhof am Hörnli with hearses, urns, grave crosses and mourning jewellery.
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About the museum
The Swiss Museum of Sepulchral Culture goes back to the private initiative of the master gravestone maker Peter Galler. He began collecting testimonies of Basel and Swiss funeral culture in 1961; in 1994 this became the museum at the Friedhof am Hörnli in Riehen, the largest cemetery in Switzerland. It is run by the association Sammlung Friedhof am Hörnli, whose members ensure the continued existence of the collection.
The building is located in the cemetery's old crematorium; visitors experience the atmosphere of the building there. On roughly 380 square metres a large number of significant cultural-historical objects are displayed.
The collection's focal points are hearses formerly drawn by horses, alongside testimonies of folk culture such as grave crosses, bead wreaths and hair keepsakes, as well as tools and machines that were used at the cemetery. The holdings also include coffins, coffin fittings made of papier-mâché, mourning jewellery and urns from all over the world from 1898 to the present. Particularly notable is a collection of surgical implants from deceased people who were cremated in the crematorium.
Highlights
- Around 20 horse-drawn carriages and hearses, including children's hearses
- About 150 urns from various eras
- Grave crosses of wrought and cast iron, bead wreaths and mourning jewellery
- Collection of surgical implants from the crematorium
- Museum in the old crematorium of Switzerland's largest cemetery
Permanent exhibition
- Sammlung zur Bestattungskultur – Horse-drawn carriages, coffins, urns, grave crosses, mourning jewellery and cemetery tools show funeral customs from two centuries.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Verein Sammlung Friedhof am Hörnli
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | CHF 10 per personGuided tour CHF 10 per person, minimum price for fewer than 10 people CHF 100 |
|---|
Free admission according to the Association of Swiss Museums; guided tours cost CHF 10 per person.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Friedhof Hörnli
Bus 31, 34, 35 or 45 to "Friedhof Hörnli"
By car
Parking available
Parking spaces opposite the main entrance of the cemetery
The museum is located in the old crematorium on the cemetery grounds.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours also outside opening hours; booking with the curator Peter Galler, tel. +41 61 601 50 68 or +41 76 397 02 89. |
