Topf

Topf is a German noun meaning a pot or cooking vessel, typically made of metal or ceramic. In everyday language it is used for a wide range of containers used for boiling, simmering, and serving food. The word forms part of common compounds such as Kochtopf (cooking pot).

As a surname, Topf is of German origin. It is borne by individuals and families, among them Emil R. Topf, who founded the cremation equipment company Emil R. Topf & Söhne in Erfurt in the 19th century. The surname Topf is also found in various other families and regions.

Emil R. Topf & Söhne was a German manufacturer that specialized in cremation equipment, including cremation ovens. The firm became historically notable for supplying crematoria equipment to numerous facilities in Germany and occupied territories during the 1930s and 1940s. In particular, the company is associated with the Nazi era and the operation of crematoria at concentration and extermination camps, including Auschwitz. After World War II, the company faced scrutiny related to its wartime activities and its role in the Holocaust. It continued to operate under different ownership and arrangements for several decades before ultimately ceasing operations in the late 20th century. The company’s history is often cited in discussions of corporate complicity and postwar accountability.