This is reported by Associated Press.
The land for burial is being sought based on recommendations from the Church of Sweden. This also reflects guidance from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the Armed Forces — to be prepared for a crisis situation.
According to the regulations of the Church of Sweden, supported by law, burial associations must secure land for the burial of approximately 5% of the population within the parish.
The Gothenburg Funeral Association, operating in Sweden's second-largest city, is attempting to acquire at least 40,470 m² of land to accommodate around 30,000 deceased in the event of war. This is in addition to the 60,700 m² required for cemeteries during peacetime.
“These recommendations imply that we need more land for cemeteries. In large cities, where land resources are scarce, burial plots are not always sufficient even in times of peace and tranquility,” noted Gothenburg Funeral Association advisor Katarina Evenstedt.
Along with the local municipality, which has a monopoly on land use decisions, the Gothenburg burial association has identified a large area for the establishment of a cemetery.
However, the approval and setup of the cemetery may take about 10 years, while the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency continues to emphasize the threat of war.
Sweden has maintained a policy of neutrality since the early 19th century, following the loss of Finland to Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. This allowed it to avoid the world wars of the 20th century, although during World War II, the country maintained economic ties with Nazi Germany.
During the Cold War, Sweden also preferred to remain outside the confrontation between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries. The Swedes focused on developing their defense industry and engaged in active diplomacy.
However, in the 21st century, Sweden's policy of neutrality has begun to change due to the increasing threat from Russia. On March 7, 2024, the country became the 32nd member of NATO.
In May, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that his country would be prepared to host U.S. nuclear weapons on its territory in the event of war.