Funeral Homes in Norway Sound the Alarm as Excess Mortality Soars

Funeral homes in Norway are sounding the alarm as they struggle to store all the dead people. With excess mortality sky high, it is a situation that hasn’t been seen in 100 years. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported that 2020 saw more than 7,000 deaths above what would be expected based on historical trends. This figure is expected to increase even further this year. As a result, funeral homes across the country are struggling to keep up with demand for services and storage capacity for deceased bodies. “We haven’t seen anything like this before,” said Lars Johansen, director of Oslo-based funeral home Krogsveen AS. “It has been a difficult year for us and we are doing our best to provide families with dignified funerals for their loved ones while also trying to manage our resources efficiently.” Johansen noted that his staff have had to work longer hours and take on additional duties due to the influx of deceased bodies. He added that they have had to get creative when it comes to storing them due to limited space in traditional cemeteries and funeral homes. The Norwegian government has taken steps to address the issue by increasing funding for funeral homes and cemeteries as well as providing financial assistance for those who cannot afford burial costs. However, many fear that these measures may not be enough if mortality rates continue at their current rate or increase further over time. It remains unclear what is causing such an unprecedented surge in mortality rates but experts point towards several possible factors including an aging population, lifestyle changes due to Covid-19 restrictions, and an overall decline in public health standards across Europe over recent years. Whatever the cause may be, one thing is certain – funeral homes in Norway are facing an uphill battle as they try desperately to keep up with demand during this difficult time.