How you will react the day that you lose a relative or close friend is impossible to predict. Death brings not only mourning and grief, but feelings of powerlessness, anger and fear. If you feel uncomfortable in the culture and language around you, such emotions may be particularly powerful. Talking with someone who understands your background and preferences can make a big difference.

Our staff is well acquainted with the funeral traditions of different religions and cultures. We will make sure that your preferences are met when it comes to burial, contact with the authorities, transportation and communication with other countries.

The staff at many of our offices can speak a number of different languages.

What happens after a person dies in Sweden?

There are several steps between the time that a person dies in Sweden and their funeral and burial. As the closest relative of the deceased, you can affect some of those steps, whereas other steps are mandatory. The diagram below gives you an overview of the process. When you contact us, we will help you with each step along the way.

Death – Mortuary – Public viewing/personal farewell – Funeral rites – Memorial service – Burial (or cremation and interment) – Estate inventory

Who is responsible for what?

The healthcare system takes care of the deceased, issues a certificate of death and provides a place at the mortuary while waiting for the funeral.
The estate, the closest relatives, arrange the funeral rites and memorial service and make decisions about burial. They are also responsible for the inventory, administration and distribution of the estate.
The funeral trustee is responsible for all services covered by the funeral fee and makes sure that everyone who dies is treated equally regardless of religion, creed or background.

Who pays what?

Everyone who is entered in the Swedish population register pays a mandatory funeral fee through their tax assessment notice. That entitles them to the following services free of charge:
· Cemetery plot for 25 years
· Cremation and interment
· Some transportation
· Premises to keep and view the deceased
· Premises for the funeral rites

People who are not entered in the Swedish population register must pay these costs themselves. The estate is responsible for other costs, including the coffin, ornamentation and transportation abroad.

If the estate does not have enough money, the municipality provides financial assistance to ensure a dignified funeral. You may apply to the social services for such assistance.

Burial in another country

When someone dies in Sweden and is to be buried in another country, we help you arrange all contacts and transportation. You can decide to hold the funeral in Sweden and perform the burial in another country, or conduct the entire ceremony abroad. 

Inventory, administration and distribution of the estate

The law requires that a person's estate be inventoried within three months after they die. That is followed by administration and distribution of the estate. We collaborate with Familjens jurist on such legal matters. They are experts in family law and deal with international issues on a daily basis.

Our job is to help you with each step along the way

If you have a different creed and background than what is regarded as traditionally Swedish, there are many congregations for you throughout Sweden. Working with a large number of these congregations has provided us with invaluable knowledge about the kinds of concerns that may be particularly important to you.

Our responsibility is to make sure that your funeral preferences are met, to support you in all matters that arise when a relative dies, and to counsel you in planning for a new life.