VIDEO: 100 Years Ago Prague Had a Funeral Tram

During the First World War, there was a severe shortage of horse-drawn carriages and a way to transport the city’s deceased inhabitants was needed.

In particular, it was necessary to find a way to transfer soldiers who had died in military hospitals in Prague.

At that time, trams provided the city with many other transport services such as coal transportation, garbage collection, and food distribution. It was decided that the original motor vehicle No. 152, purchased by the Electricity Company in 1900, was to be rebuilt for funeral purposes.

After the necessary preparations, on Monday, October 22, 1917, the Prague electric funeral tram set out for the first time at three o’clock in the afternoon, calling at both the Olšanská and Vinohradská cemeteries.

The bottom of the car and electric equipment did not change, the interior of the car was rebuilt by removing the benches and windows. The wagon case was divided longitudinally into two compartments, in which were deposited a total of four coffins.

The car received black paint with silver decorative lines (originally dark blue). Instead of the line number, a lit cross beamed from the roof.

This is an illustrated 3D rendering of the how the tram looked by designer Adam Bartas.