This is the Charnel House (Bone House) at Saint Michael’s Chapel in Hallstatt. This is the “Second Burial” place for the deceased. The bones were brought in from the cemetery outside. The cemetery has a Catholic and a Protestant section, but in here, all are stacked side-by-side. Priests and Mayors do occupy better spots.

Most skulls have the deceased’s name and a cross painted on them. Female skulls usually have flowers, and males skulls usually have oak. Other bones are not tracked. Imagine having to match up these 700 sets of bones. It’s not even humerus.

The Hallstatt Cemetery occupies a prime location; it’s on a small terrace on the hillside overlooking the lake. Prime location is of course, in high demand. So, if the family of those buried here don’t pay the rent, grandpa gets evicted. At least, that’s one of the explanations I’ve heard.

Another explanation is there’s just not enough room for everyone to stay buried. The Vatican only lifted the ban on cremation in 1963. Yet another explanation is “Second Burial” is something people in this region had always practiced. Most charnel houses ceased to exist after WWII. This one in Hallstatt has the largest collection, and the last person who had a second burial here died in 1983.

I have only attended two funerals. One was a cremation, and the other was a burial, but without a coffin. She was buried wrapped in a lavender shroud. I’m sure I’ll attend one more unless they can’t find my body. Do you even get a funeral when you donate your body to science?

I’ve always wanted to see a catacomb, or something like this ossuary, but was too freaked out by the idea. I guess I grew a spine.