Sir, – May I dispel the myths, repeated by Mae Leonard ("An Irishwoman's Diary", January 25th), that Mozart was "buried in a pauper's grave" and there was "no money to give him a decent burial".
These misunderstandings can be traced back to the the Josephinische Begräbnisordnung of 1784 (the burial regulations of Emperor Joseph II, mandating simple, communal burials), which led many to believe that the Viennese were buried without coffins in mass graves.
Widespread protests ensured that the regulation was never enforced; it was revoked in 1785, six years before Mozart’s death.
Contemporary records are sparse, but the cost of Mozart’s funeral – eight florins, 36 kreutzers, plus 3 florins for the hearse – indicate that he received the customary burial for one of his status. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Vienna.