Funeral Traditions In Some Scandinavian Countries

Funerals in Iceland follow particular traditions that may differ from other countries significantly.

Iceland has a relatively small population but of those people, it is mostly made up of people following the Christian religion and it is customary for funerals in Iceland to follow Christian traditions and take place in a church which is an Evangelic Lutheran Church and a member of the Church of Iceland.

Funeral services and ceremonies can also take place in other religious places that might include public and private chapels and other places of worship as well as private homes and other meeting venues.

The Icelandic newspaper ‘Morgunbladid’ which is available nationwide and translates to ‘Morning Paper’ publishes the obituaries of all those that have died in Iceland, and it is the families and friends of those that have died that often write the obituaries and so there may be many obituaries written for the same people.

In Iceland, the wake for a deceased person often takes place before their funeral, rather than many other countries holding it after the funeral service and is only attended by the close relatives and friends of the deceased person. This vigil, in which prayers and scriptures are read aloud, allows the close relatives and friends of the deceased to pay their respects in private and allow them to demonstrate their deep affection for their recently departed loved one.

A funeral in Iceland will typically take place between five and eight days from the date of a person’s death and it is traditional for mourners that attend the funeral service to wear dark or black coloured clothing.

The length of a funeral service or ceremony in Iceland is relatively short in duration and at which only the minister speaking during it, using the Bible to read scriptures and talks about the deceased, whilst the close relatives of the deceased person, together with the pallbearers in attendance, sit in the front row of the church.

It is often musicians or the choir of the Church that performs the hymns or memorial songs during the funeral service or ceremony that have been requested by the deceased person’s next of kin, family or loved ones.

Whilst cremation is permissible and is chosen as a way of being laid to rest in Iceland, burials are common.

It is less likely in Iceland for embalming to take place and therefore it can be seen as inconvenient for any person that has died in Iceland if they would have naturally chosen to preserve the deceased person.

Icelanders of all religions are legally entitled to a burial plot where they were resident, and if they did not reserve a burial plot before they died, a new burial plot will be allocated to them. The funeral homes in Iceland will help arrange the burial plots accordingly and once registered, the person who has reserved the burial plot will be the person that gives permission for the deceased person to be buried there.

Legally, the Icelandic burial plots and cemeteries in Iceland are sacred, and it is illegal for any noisy or busy buildings to be built in the nearby surrounding area. All graves in Iceland are given protection for up to seventy-five years which can be extended if required.

The hearse transports the coffin of the deceased person to the chosen cemetery after the funeral service, and whilst mourners are at the graveside, as the coffin is lowered into the ground, they are likely to throw things onto the coffin such as flowers, letters or significant items that were important to the deceased person. At this time, the mourners will often make the sign of the cross as well.

There are funeral receptions held after the funeral service and burial for all mourners that have attended the funeral to join the family of the deceased person at their home or another chosen venue to celebrate the deceased person’s life further.

At this post-funeral reception, the deceased person’s family and loved ones often share their own stories and publicly relay speeches amongst their close friends and family to honour the deceased person, and share stories and talk about the deceased person to comfort one another in their grief. The food and drink served at these events often include things like coffee and cake.

What is clear when considering Icelandic funerals is that stringent traditions are kept, despite being seen as impractical by many, and the process in which funerals are arranged is strict. They also follow many legal requirements.

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