Funeral Services

Anyone over the age of 18 can, through a written declaration, designate who has the right to arrange their funeral. Otherwise, the responsibility falls to the deceased’s closest relatives. If there is a dispute over who should arrange the funeral, the municipality will make the decision. If no one arranges the funeral, it will be carried out by the municipality where the deceased was last registered as a resident.

The burial must respect the religious or philosophical beliefs of the deceased. Cremation may take place unless it is known that the deceased was opposed to it. If the deceased is not cremated, the burial must take place no later than ten working days after the date of death.

Extensions to these deadlines may be granted if there are compelling reasons. Either the municipality or the Church Council (Kirkelig fellesråd) will decide on applications for an extension.

A funeral home must proactively provide a price list to customers who inquire about funeral services. Upon ordering, the customer must receive a written price estimate and be given reasonable time to review it before agreeing to the service.

The National Insurance Scheme (Folketrygden) may provide needs-based funeral support based on the most recent available tax assessment. In most cases, the support amount is reduced by the total financial assets of the deceased and any insurance payments made due to the death.

Begjæring om gravlegging og/eller kremasjon
Gravferd - Den norske kirke
Bestemmelser om gravplasser, kremasjon og gravferd
Gravferd - Human-Etisk forbund

See
Gravplassloven Chapter 2
Folketrygdloven Chapter 7

Folketrygdloven
Gravplassloven
Prisopplysningsforskriften

It is entirely possible to arrange a funeral independently, but most people choose to use a funeral home to some extent. The person responsible for the funeral decides which funeral home to use.

A funeral home can assist with tasks such as:

• Scheduling the transfer of the deceased, funeral, cremation, etc.
• Contacting a priest, imam, speaker, musicians, singers, cemetery authorities, and others involved
• Providing a casket and necessary equipment, preparing the deceased
• Arranging transportation of the casket
• Handling paperwork for probate court, police, NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration), etc.
• Publishing a death notice
• Printing hymns, psalms, and thank-you cards
• Arranging flowers, decorations, and wreaths
• Organizing and participating in the memorial service
• Notifying NAV and settling financial matters
• Arranging a memorial gathering
• Coordinating urn interment
• Engraving the gravestone, arranging a wooden cross/symbol, and placing a grave lantern

Some funeral homes also provide additional services, such as cleaning the deceased’s home, organizing, and removing belongings.