Due to the growing tension in the Baltic region and joining NATO, Sweden has started preparing for the possible consequences of a military conflict. One of the steps was the organization of additional places in cemeteries for possible mass burials. As informs Associated Press, the country plans to create conditions for the burial of up to 30,000 people.
Swedish funeral associations face serious difficulties in finding additional plots of land for burials. Gothenburg is already considering the purchase of 4 hectares of land to provide a place for emergency burials in the event of hostilities. In addition, another 6 hectares are needed for ordinary burials.
The reason for these measures was the recommendations of the Swedish Emergency Situations Agency (MSB) and the military. According to the provisions of the Burial Act and the regulations of the Church of Sweden, burial associations must have enough land to bury about 5% of the parish population in case of emergency.
The process of creating a new cemetery in Sweden is complex and lengthy. Its organization can take up to 10 years, which greatly complicates preparation in conditions of uncertainty. At the same time, the country already lacks places for burials, even in peacetime.
This situation was a consequence of growing geopolitical tension in the region, in particular due to Russia’s aggressive policy. Sweden’s decision to join NATO also played an important role in strengthening civilian training activities.
It will be recalled that in November 2024, Sweden, together with Finland, updated manuals on civilian training, which contain recommendations for survival during military conflicts. Although there is no direct mention of Russia in these documents, the general context points to a strengthening of defense policy due to risks in the region.
