No dispute over inheritance

“Mausi”: Plans for Lugner’s farewell are still open

Now it's final: Richard Lugner will be buried on August 31.

(Bild: Jöchl Martin)

On Wednesday morning, "Mausi" Lugner was still saying that there were no concrete plans for the funeral service for Richard Lugner. But then the decision was made very quickly: the society builder will be buried on August 31, as the family announced.

Lugner will be buried on Saturday, August 31, in the closest circle of family and friends. Prior to this, a memorial service and public laying in state will take place at 9 a.m. in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. "All Viennese, the whole of Austria and beyond are invited to take their leave together", the statement said.

On Wednesday, the family - including wife Simone Lugner and son-in-law Leo Lugner - also published the party of the society builder on social media. The picture shows Mörtel in a top hat and tails, which he lifts as if in farewell, as he has done so often in his life. 

No dispute over inheritance
"United in deepest sorrow, the Lugner family remembers in these difficult times. The solidarity gives us strength as we say goodbye to one of the greatest Austrians", the statement also emphasized unity and rejected media reports of inheritance disputes to the APA.

After the farewell and public laying in state in St. Stephen's Cathedral in the city center, the coffin with the deceased will be led around the Ringstrasse in a vehicle.

Everyone is united in mourning for Richard Lugner. There is no dispute over the inheritance, the family contradicted media reports on Wednesday.

(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

The further route leads to the Lugner City shopping center in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, then the public part of the funeral service ends before the burial in the Kaasgraben church in Döbling. "The funeral will take place in the closest circle of family and friends," the party emphasizes.

A touching farewell in Lugner City
However, the public can already express their sympathy. A book of condolences has been available for an indefinite period in Lugner City on Hauptplatz since Tuesday afternoon and offers everyone the opportunity to express their sympathy, the family announced. For those who cannot come in person, there will also be an online book of condolences.

In Lugner City, fans of Richard Lugner have the opportunity to say goodbye and sign the book of condolence.

(Bild: APA/TANJA UNGERBÖCK)

The family has already signed the book of condolence at the front, Christina "Mausi" Lugner had previously emphasized in an interview with APA. There are also plans to show obituary messages on videos in the Lugner City cinema with free admission. This was an idea of her daughter Jaqueline, who she shared with Richard Lugner, the ex-wife of the deceased tearfully praised.

Cathedral priest "always there for us"
The family is also receiving support from Vienna's cathedral priest Toni Faber during this difficult time, as Christina Lugner also announced on Wednesday.

Faber was due to perform the blessing of the 91-year-old businessman's sixth marriage to 42-year-old Simone in St. Stephen's Cathedral in October and has been a friend of the Lugner family for many years. "I spoke to Toni on the phone as soon as it happened," Christina Lugner told APA.

Richard Lugner visited St. Stephen's Cathedral in February with Opera Ball star guest Priscilla Presley. After his death, cathedral priest Toni Faber is now there for the family.

(Bild: picturedesk.com/Andreas Tischler)

Faber is on vacation, but has also spoken to her daughter. "He is the best pastor in the country" and is "really always there for us", said Lugner. "It's nice to have spiritual support, especially in times of need."

Richard Lugner's ex-wife emphasized that among the many mourners were customers from the very first hour since Lugner City opened in 1990. "How popular this person was" is also shown by the interest shown by foreign media, including "People" magazine from the USA, which also reported online on the passing of the socialite, Christina Lugner noted.