Max Berg created the first plans for the crematorium almost simultaneously with the design of Centennial Hall in 1912, cooperating with a young architect from Wrocław Albert Kempter. The crematorium was supposed to be a monumental, centrally planned building , in the shape of a circle or a square, depending on the design version, and made of a modern material – reinforced concrete. Berg tried to implement the design for many years up until 1924, modifying his concepts many times. Initially the outbreak of World War I, and then the opposition of the city officials constituted an obstacle. Only in 1925–1926, when Berg left Wrocław, a crematorium was built according to the design of Richard Konwiarz. Max Berg wanted to create a specific Gesamtkunstwerk, therefore he invited to cooperation Oskar Kokoschka, an eminent painter from Vienna. He was supposed to create a monumental fresco inside the chapel. The artist was so fascinated by the idea of the artistic decorations of the crematorium that he also created his own architectural concepts in the expressionist spirit.