Above: Count Georg von Stockau (1837-1922).

Source: Wikimedia Commons

16. Mary's Burial (continued)

Count Stockau "informed the Baroness that a command had been issued that her daughter should be buried out at Heiligenkreuz, adding that consent would on no account be given to the body being transported to Vienna.... He further told her that it had been commanded not to dispatch any coffin to the Imperial hunting-lodge and that no hearse was allowed to appear there either.... He concluded with the words: 'You must authorize me to give all necessary instructions on your behalf'" (Judtmann 161).

"Fearing that otherwise her child might even be buried in secret, without any of her relations being present," Helene felt compelled to agree to these demands. She did ask however that her brother, Alexander Baltazzi, be allowed to accompany Stockau to Mayerling. This was granted.

Later the same day Helene received a message from Franz Josef that "suggested to the Baroness that she would be showing special consideration for their Majesties if she stayed away from Vienna during the obsequies of the Crown Prince" (Judtmann 171).

Stockau and Baltazzi proceeded to Mayerling to identify Mary's body and to sign the legal forms required by District Governor Oser for her transport to Heiligenkreuz. At this point a potential stumbling block emerged: In order to avoid a police investigation and the resulting scandal, Mary's cause of death had to be listed as suicide, not murder.

Baltazzi immediately pointed out that calling Mary a suicide might cause Abbot Grünböck to object to her being buried in consecrated ground. He was assured that there would be no objections.