- Sweden's new reality - cemetery expansion due to possible war
- Swedes want to find more land for cemeteries, but the process could take up to 10 years
- The Church in Sweden plays an important role in civil defense plans
- Sweden is moving away from neutrality towards an active pursuit of expanding its security
Sweden's new reality - cemetery expansion due to possible war
Sweden, long known for its neutral policy, is now facing a new reality. The country has started discussions on the expansion of cemeteries in the event of a war, should thousands of people have to be buried. This initiative reflects Sweden's broader efforts to strengthen civil defense and to prepare for possible conflicts highlighted by geopolitical developments in the Baltic region.
The initiative was inspired by recommendations from the National Secretariat of the Church of Sweden, based on the guidelines for crisis preparedness of the Swedish Civil Crisis Management Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Armed Forces. These guidelines, previously seen as theoretical preparedness plans, are now becoming a reality due to Sweden's accession to NATO and the perceived tensions over Russia[1].
The cemetery expansion plans not only seem to show an apparent willingness to prepare practically for the potentially severe consequences of war, but also reveal a change in the Swedish public's attitude towards security and possible future threats.
Swedes want to find more land for cemeteries, but the process could take up to 10 years
The Swedish Burial Act stipulates that parish burial associations must have enough land to bury up to 5% of the parish's population in the event of war. This legal provision is based on the principles of civil defense to ensure prompt burials in times of crisis.
One notable example is the Gothenburg Burial Association, responsible for administering the cemeteries of Sweden's second-largest city. The association faces a major challenge to find at least 10 acres (about 40 470 square meters) of land for quick burials during wartime, should it need to bury some 30 000 dead urgently. In addition, another 15 acres (about 60 700 square meters) of land is needed for a regular cemetery development.
"These recommendations mean that we need more land for burials, and this is especially a problem in cities where land resources are already limited - not always enough to meet the needs of burials even in times of peace and tranquillity," stressed Katarina Evenseth, Senior Adviser at the Gothenburg Burial Association.
Together with the local municipality, the Gothenburg Burial Association has identified a suitable site for the new cemetery development. However, the process is not quick - the complex permitting procedure and construction planning can take up to 10 years. This poses additional challenges, given that some Swedes fear that the geopolitical situation may require quicker solutions.
Therefore, Sweden is faced with the dilemma of ensuring rapid and efficient infrastructure development in a crisis situation. Indeed, the case of the burial associations illustrates the broader issue of how complex administrative procedures can sometimes hold up the implementation of critical projects.
The Church in Sweden plays an important role in civil defense plans
The MSB continues to stress that crisis preparedness is essential to ensuring national security. In this area, the Church of Sweden has become one of the leading organizations actively implementing civil defense plans[2].
"Already in 2015, the government mandated various institutions to restart civil defense planning, and many organizations have started to prepare, with the Church of Sweden at the forefront of this planning," says Jan-Olof Olsson, MSB's expert in Critical Infrastructure Protection. "Unfortunately, we are being reminded more and more that war can happen, and we must be prepared for it."
This comment by a Swedish expert underlines that civil protection issues in Sweden have become practical rather than theoretical and require concrete action. The church's role in strengthening civil defense indicates a broader approach in Sweden, where the state seeks to mobilize all institutions, including religious ones, to prepare for possible threats.
Sweden is moving away from neutrality towards an active pursuit of expanding its security
Sweden has had a policy of neutrality since the early 19th century. Even during the Second World War, it remained neutral. This has been an important part of the country's identity, but in recent years, increasing geopolitical threats have led to a radical shift in Sweden's approach to security.
In 2022, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO. This was a sign that even countries traditionally seen as symbols of neutrality wanted a collective defense and no longer relied on neutrality alone. In the spring of this year, Sweden officially became the 32nd member of NATO.
In addition to developing the physical infrastructure, the Swedish government is actively working to raise public awareness of crisis preparedness. It has even issued updated civilian preparedness manuals with information on how to survive in war.
