Burials

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Burying someone who is not a member of the Church of Sweden

In most cases responsibility for arranging cemeteries rests with one or several parishes in the county. The County Administrative Board appoints a representative who examines a parish to ensure that persons who are not members of the Church of Sweden can be buried in a manner that suits them. The representative checks, for example, the burial charges and the layout of the cemeteries.

If you would like to know who is the burial representative in your area you can contact your parish or the County Administrative Board.

Spreading ashes

If you wish to spread the ashes of a deceased person at a place other than a cemetery you must obtain a permit from the County Administrative Board in the county where you wish to spread the ashes.

We can only issue a permit to spread ashes after someone has died. It is thus not possible to apply for a permit in advance.

The County Administrative Board deals with burial matters

If a person's survivors are not in agreement in the matter of burial and the church has not succeeded in mediating between them the parish can refer the matter to the County Administrative Board for examination. The decision of the parish regarding entitlement to a grave and the moving of remains or ashes that have been buried can be appealed to the County Administrative Board.