Over the past few decades, many countries across Europe have seen a rise in cremation rates since the 20th century. Italy is one of the countries most affected by this trend, with 38% of deaths being cremated in 2023, a significant increase from just under 3% in 1995.

Although Italy saw the construction of the first crematorium in Europe, it remains a building type that is un familiar to many. However, crematoriums are likely to become more common, which raises the importance of understanding this developing typology. The function of crematoriums and the experience they provide will be come even more crucial as cultural norms and perceptions of death shift in Italy, making these buildings an important part of Italy’s evolving funeral rites.

This project aims to develop a project for a crematorium on the cemetery island of San Michele in Venice. The goal is to dissect the tangible and intangible elements that constitute a crematorium, explore how they can contribute to solidifying crematoriums as a building type, and understand how they can be adapted to the Italian and Venetian context.