MPs Kjersti Toppe, Bengt Fasteraune, and Bent-Joacim Bentzen propose legislation to guarantee free cremation for all, regardless of funeral choice. The proposers argue that the current system creates economic, geographic, and ideological inequalities, and that Norway faces significant crematorium capacity shortages in the coming decades. They urge the government to expand capacity, make burial free, place crematoriums under public ownership by law, and clarify emergency preparedness rules for funeral services.
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These are the proposals in the document, not decisions. See the votes for the outcome.
The Storting urges the government to increase crematorium and cold storage capacity across Norway in line with demand and society's needs from a preparedness perspective, and ensure equal access nationwide. A plan for this should be presented to the Storting with the 2027 state budget.
The Storting urges the government to ensure that burial is free regardless of burial method (traditional burial or cremation) and return to the Storting with a proposal for phasing out the current cremation fee.
The Storting urges the government to propose legislation establishing that crematoriums may only be owned and operated by public bodies (cemetery authorities, municipalities, and public entities such as joint municipal companies), and that crematorium investment and operation cannot be outsourced to private commercial companies.
The Storting urges the government to promptly propose legislation clarifying the legal framework and establishing clear responsibility and guidelines to ensure adequate funeral service preparedness.