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Funeral Services (Bestattung)
GewO §94 Z.7
Verified: April 2026
Key Facts
- Type: Regulated trade — Zuverlaessigkeitsgewerbe!
- Special: Requires pre-approval before starting
- Qualification: Qualification exam
- Registration cost: Free (€0)
- Start immediately: NO — must wait for official decision
- Requirement: 24/7 availability expected
Zuverlaessigkeitsgewerbe (Reliability Trade)
Funeral services require a reliability assessment before you can begin operations.
The district authority evaluates your personal reliability, financial standing,
and professional qualifications before issuing approval.
What This Trade Covers
- Body collection and transport
- Preparation and laying out of the deceased
- Funeral planning and organization
- Cremation arrangements
- Cemetery administration assistance
- Grief counseling referrals
Regional Differences
Funeral regulations vary significantly by Austrian state (Bundesland). Cemetery regulations, burial timeframes, and ecological burial options (tree burials, meadow burials) differ across regions. Some states are more progressive with alternative burial forms than others.
Qualification Alternatives
- Qualification exam (Befaehigungspruefung) for funeral services
- Individual assessment (§19 GewO) with extensive experience
- Qualified manager (§39 GewO)
Vollstaendige deutsche Version →
Related Guides
Legally binding: German text of GewO 1994.