On December 31, 1924, Lucerne’s crematorium held its first cremation, honoring the late Carl Spitteler, the only Swiss Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. Despite heavy opposition to cremation in the Catholic stronghold of Lucerne, Spitteler’s wish for cremation was fulfilled, allowing an early operation of the crematorium, which officially opened in 1926. His passing and subsequent cremation marked a significant victory for proponents of cremation in the region, showcasing a shift in societal attitudes towards burial practices.