In Sweden, all people are entitled to both funeral and burial. There is also financial support available to afford a funeral.
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How much does a funeral cost?
It is not possible to give an exact figure on what a funeral costs. It is individual and the funeral should mainly be adapted to the deceased’s wishes. News24 Have talked to Conny Sohlbergpress spokesman at the funeral home Fonus. According to Sohlberg, the cost of funerals is a common question that is asked.
-An average price for a funeral is usually SEK 30,000-35,000. Of course, some are cheaper and some more expensive, says Sohlberg and continues:
– What can make the funeral more expensive is if, for example, you want an more exclusive coffin, a large death ad in a newspaper, a lot of flowers or if you want to invest a lot of money on a memorial.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TTVEM pays?
The cost of the funeral is first and foremost the estate, ie the deceased. In the alternative, it is the person who is liable for livelihood. For example, people who are liable for livelihoods are a spouse, but it can also be parents of a minor child.
If there is not enough money to cover funeral costs, you can seek assistance. To apply for financial assistance, turn to The Social Administration in the municipality of the deceased. The amount of assistance is different from the municipalities and depends on several factors.
News24 has talked to Kalle LarssonConfederation lawyer at Sweden’s municipalities and regions (SKR). Larsson tells us more about the assistance.
– It’s a pretty long process. First, you need to decide if the deceased needs assistance. This is done by looking at the estate’s holding or if there is a spouse or cohabitant who has a livelihood, says Larsson and continues:
– If you have looked at it and concluded that there is not enough money, you can in turn make a trial on whether aid is needed to have a worthy funeral.
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Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TTVAD is a worthy funeral?
In order to determine how much assistance is available, the social service is based on what is considered a worthy funeral. It is an individual issue, which is first and foremost depends on the deceased.
– What is considered a worthy funeral differs. To determine what is a worthy funeral for that particular person, you also need to take into account religion and tradition, says Larsson.
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“There is no obligation in Sweden”
In Sweden, there is no law or obligation to receive inheritance or act at a death estate as a relative, ie to arrange a funeral or empty an apartment. It is the municipality’s ultimate responsibility to ensure that deceased persons are buried.
– There is no obligation in Sweden. Right at funeral you cannot force someone to act and even there is partly a reserve forum. Then it is the municipality that can take care of the dust falling into soil, a burial, says Larsson.
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