Sweden Begins a Sober Hunt for More Graveyard Space in Case of War.

(VOR News) – The Swedish burial associations aim to ensure Sweden will never be obligated to undertake the burial of thousands of victims in the case of a conflict.

Consequently, they are striving to obtain adequate property for this objective. The national administration of the Church of Sweden has issued specific suggestions, and the search is being conducted in alignment with those guidelines.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Armed Forces together developed a framework for crisis preparedness, which underpins these recommendations.

Russia and Sweden are joining NATO, increasing tensions.

Under the regulations of the Church of Sweden, supported by statutory clauses in Sweden’s Burial Act, burial associations are obligated to guarantee the availability of adequate land within a parish to accommodate the burial needs of approximately five percent of the population, should such a necessity arise.

This obligation arises if the Church of Sweden is mandated to inter a specific proportion of its populace.

The Goteborg Burial Association, located in Sweden’s second-largest city, is currently striving to secure a minimum of 10 acres (40,470 square meters) of land to facilitate urgent casket funerals for approximately 30,000 deceased individuals in the event of a conflict.

This is undertaken to guarantee adequate care for the deceased. Furthermore, to establish cemeteries designated for frequent utilization, Goteborg necessitates an additional 15 acres (60,700 square meters) of property. This is a necessary criterion.

Katarina Evenseth, senior advisor at the Goteborg Burial Association, stated, “The recommendations indicate a necessity for additional land for burial grounds, a phenomenon and challenge prevalent in large cities where land resources are inherently limited and often inadequate to satisfy burial ground requirements, even during periods of tranquility.”

“The recommendations indicate a necessity for additional land designated for burial grounds.” “The recommendations indicate a necessity for additional land designated for burial grounds.”

A vast area appropriate for the establishment of a large-scale cemetery has been selected by the burial association in collaboration with the local municipality.

The municipality is the sole land use authority in Goteborg, Sweden.

Consequently, due to the protracted approval and construction procedure, it is probable that completion may take over ten years, thereby presenting additional challenges in uncertain times.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) emphasizes the need of preparedness for emergencies and highlights the efforts in which the Church of Sweden is involved.

Jan-Olof Olsson, a specialist in Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) at MSB, articulated the following observation: “As early as 2015, the Government tasked multiple authorities to recommence civil defense planning.” A multitude of groups have commenced preparations, with the Church of Sweden leading these efforts.

Olsson remarked, “Regrettably, we are increasingly reminded that war may occur, necessitating our preparedness.” A reminder indicates that the probability of war occurring more frequently has escalated.

Sweden has upheld a policy of neutrality since the early 19th century, which persisted until World War II.

In the wake of Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there was a notable shift in public perception, prompting Sweden and Finland to submit applications for membership in the transatlantic alliance.

This was a direct result of the significant change in popular sentiment. In response to the perceived threat from their unexpectedly assertive Russian neighbor over the Baltic Sea, this move was implemented to avert further damage.

In November, Sweden and Finland submitted updated editions of their civic preparedness manuals. These guides provided guidelines for survival during a battle. The requirements are comparable to those observed in Denmark and Norway, however Russia is not explicitly mentioned.

SOURCE: AP

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