27. 07. 10. - 15:00

Controversial undertaker is broke

An undertaker who rose to fame for burying children in colourful coffins has filed for bankruptcy.

Klagenfurt-based company Pax has debts of around 5.8 million Euros, it emerged today (Tues). Around 200 creditors and 89 employees working in its branches in Carinthia and Styria are affected by the development.

Company boss Gerhard Bajezk has always said his aim was to show a fresh approach to the business of undertakers.

He hit the headlines by organising children’s funerals using coffins painted in joyous colours and for offering burial cases with a "slender waist" for figure-accentuating the deceased.

Late right-winger Jörg Haider’s burial was organised by the creative entrepreneur who also caused some controversy by uniting deceased farmers with hay bales in their coffins.

Bajezk said the plan was to restore the firm’s finances in a bid to get it back on track.

The Styrian said he would continue the sponsorship cooperation with second-league football side FC Gratkorn.