Before that, a memorial service and public viewing will take place at 9 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. The family told the APA on Wednesday. “All Viennese, all of Austria and beyond are invited to the memorial service for Lugner in St. Stephen’s Cathedral to say goodbye together,” the statement said.
“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,” they emphasized unity and rejected media reports about inheritance disputes to the APA.
Book of condolences in Lugner City
However, the public can already express their condolences. A condolence book has been available in Lugner City on the main square since Tuesday afternoon for an indefinite period of time and offers everyone the opportunity to express their condolences, the family announced. For those who cannot come in person, there will also be an online condolence book.
Christina “Mausi” Lugner had previously stressed in an interview with the APA that the family had already signed the condolence book. The Lugner City cinema also plans to show obituary messages on videos with free admission. This was an idea of Jaqueline, her daughter with Richard Lugner, praised the deceased’s ex-wife tearfully.
Even before the planned farewell in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Lugner family received support from Vienna’s cathedral priest Anton Faber, reported Christina Lugner. Faber was to perform the blessing of the 91-year-old entrepreneur’s sixth marriage to 42-year-old Simone, which took place in a civil ceremony in June, in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in October, and is a long-time friend of the family.
“I called Toni as soon as it happened,” said Christina Lugner, the builder’s fourth wife. Faber was on vacation, but had 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 emotional support, especially in times of need.”
Flowers and candles in Lugner City
On the second day after the architect’s death, fans and relatives laid flowers and candles in Lugner City and said their goodbyes in brief messages in the condolence book. Some mourners travelled long distances, such as Rudolf, who had travelled from Carinthia to pay tribute to Lugner: “He is immortal and, in my opinion, deserves an award for his achievements.” Visitors from abroad were also dismayed. “He was known in Germany too, the ‘Mortar’,” Bernd from Germany told the APA.
Among the many mourners, customers who had been there since the opening of Lugner City in 1990 also spoke out, stressed Richard Lugner’s ex-wife. “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 about the death of the society great, Christina Lugner noted.
This article was last updated on August 14, 2024 at 2:11 p.m.