Costly Cremation in Norway. One City Plans a Huge Fee

The cremation rate in Skien has been rising for over a decade. In 2012, it was 15 percent, and by 2024 it had reached 41 percent. The increase in cremations has made it necessary to expand the crematorium's operating days from two to four per week.

According to church administrator Jorunn Fliid, this means hiring additional staff. These are the costs that the planned fee is intended to partially cover.

In Norway, burial in a coffin is free of charge due to legal regulations. Municipalities are required to provide a burial place for at least 20 years for all residents.

This includes grave preparation and basic ceremony-related work. The system is designed to guarantee equal access to a dignified form of burial, regardless of the financial situation of the deceased and their loved ones.

However, the proposal to introduce the fee has sparked debate among local politicians. Karianne Hansen from the Progress Party (FrP) points out that the cost difference between a free coffin burial and a paid cremation may influence the choice of burial method.

Cremation brings economic benefits and helps save limited cemetery space. In her opinion, the fee may work against previous efforts to increase the number of cremations.

The fee will also apply to people from outside Skien. For residents of other municipalities, the cost of cremation will be 9,000 NOK (~ 3,250 PLN).