Burials and cremations

In Sweden burial and cremation are a public responsibility. For administrative purposes the service is divided into a number of geographical areas. Within each area, a single entity is responsible for burials and cremations. The parishes and associations of parishes of the Church of Sweden are the entities responsible for the majority of burials and cremations in Sweden. In special cases, however, the Government may decide that a municipality should be responsible. Such decisions have been taken for the City of Stockholm and for Tranås Municipality. The size of fee is to be based on the responsible entity's separate accounts of its income and tasks.

The Riksdag has decided that all registered residents of Sweden must pay a fee to cover the costs of burials and cremations (a burial fee). The fee is income-related and finances:

• A grave or equivalent at a public burial ground for 25 years.
• Interment, including opening the grave, refilling it and putting the opened grave in order (done in conjunction with the interment of new remains or new ashes).
• Certain transportation of a deceased's remains from the time when the responsible entity takes over responsibility from a medical care establishment, for example, until the time of interment.
• Cremation of the remains.
• Premises for storing and showing of the remains.
• Premises for a funeral ceremony without religious symbols.

The costs of organising individual burials are not covered by the burial fee.