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Screenshot of the conceptual presentation of the new cemetery, Source: Stockholm Municipality

New Stockholm cemetery offers a novel concept

New Stockholm cemetery offers a novel concept

Its construction is already under full swing and expected to be done by 2024

The City of Stockholm is building a new cemetery park in its northwestern periphery, in Järvafältet in Akalla (just north of Tensta and Hjulsta), where a natural area will be re-developed for that purpose. That cemetery will be available to everyone regardless of their faith, and it will feature the full spectrum of modern burial possibilities. What is more, it will also serve as a general outdoor green space which people can use for leisure and sports, such as jogging and cycling.

The winning design project is called “Islands”

The cemetery is being built so that when Stockholm grows, the need to take care of the dead within the city also increases. Since the beginning of the 2000s, there has been a shortage of burial ground and the vision is for the new burial site to have the same strategic significance and long-term perspective as Skogskyrkogården provides for the southern part of the city.

The work on designing the burial park grounds had already started in the beginning of this year and, according to the Swedish capital’s municipal website, is going according to plan with a view to completing its first phase in 2024. Ten years later there is a possibility for the cemetery to be expanded, which would constitute the second phase.

The landscape design was decided through a competition, which was won by Architect Kristine Jensen Tegnestue with her “Islands” concept. This design provides a novel approach that combines Scandinavian minimalism and subtlety. The burial plots will be grouped into gently raised platforms that will resemble islands in a way.

The idea is to create a place that is open to everyone, regardless of faith or outlook on life. The openness also applies to those who come to the cultural reserve for other reasons, to walk, run or discover nature,” explained Svante Borg, head of the cemetery administration.

He also added that a wetland area with a pond, which will attract birds and other animals will also be created in order to create an atmosphere that is more integrated with nature.

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