Storting representative Grunde Almeland (V) has sent a written question to Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) about the rules surrounding ash scattering in nature. Undertaker Arvid Steinum at Alpha Burial in Stavanger says people scatter the ashes of their loved ones wherever they want, although there are strict rules for where this can happen. Photo: Gunnar Morsund / news The background is the article by news, where undertaker Arvid Steinum in Stavanger wants new rules for scattering ashes. – We are a people in change and development, and the law that was written back then, it is not in step with the times we live in now, says Almeland to news. Today’s rules regarding the scattering of ashes are strict, where it is only allowed to scatter the ashes over the open sea or in deserted places in nature. Applications for this must be approved by the State Administrator. – This is a clear example of a law that has expired. There is no problem that people should be allowed to decide for themselves how they want to do this type of ceremony and commemoration and funerals. Storting representative Grunde Almeland (V) asks the Minister for Children and Families to change the Funeral Act, which he believes has expired. Photo: Leif Rune Løland / news Almeland believes it is time to de-bureaucratise the scheme for spreading ashes. – It cannot be a goal in itself that we should have as many applications as possible to the state. I think the easiest thing here is to update the law, and make it easier for people to decide for themselves, says Almeland, who is also head of the family and culture committee at the Storting. At a high time of change, the Human-Ethical Association is completely in line with the Liberal Party’s parliamentary representative. Chairman Christian Lomsdalen is calling for a liberalization of the Funeral Act, which he believes is left over from another era with a less open-minded society. – The most important thing for us is that we fulfill the wishes of the deceased or next of kin. This can be a bit difficult when you set the type of requirements that the legislation does today. I think that as long as we take other people into account and do not disturb them, I think that it will go well for the vast majority of people if we e.g. choose to scatter the ashes of the deceased in the garden by an apple tree or raspberry bush, says Lomsdalen. Chairman Christian Lomsdalen of the Human-Ethical Association wants changes to the law for ash scattering in nature. Photo: Pavel Storozhuk The chairman of the Human-Ethical Association says today’s rules are left over from as far back as the early 20th century. After a long battle from the Norwegian Cremation Association led by Edvard and Nina Grieg, it was opened for cremation, and later the scattering of ashes. – This has emerged in a battle against a church hegemony in Norwegian history. We are in a situation in the open-minded society where it is necessary to look at this type of regulations with compliance from a time when the church ruled everything, until we now have a very clear diversity of views. Then this is one of the things that we have to look at together with other provisions in the Funeral Act, says Lomsdalen. Hoping for quick change Storting representative Grunde Almeland is now anxiously awaiting the answer from Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe. – I have now taken an initiative with the minister. So I hope that Kjersti Toppe responds positively to this. Then I think there is a change in the law that we should get done quickly. If not, we in the Liberal Party will look at what initiatives we should take in the Storting, concludes Almeland. Olaug Bollestad, leader of the Christian People’s Party, opens up to support changes in the rules for ash scattering in nature. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Leader of the Christian People’s Party Olaug Bollestad opens up that they will support changes to the Funeral Act. – We are open to modernizing the law, but this must still involve clear guidelines for what is law. There are good reasons why you have to apply to the State Administrator for ash spreading, but we can be open to an adjustment to the legislation that covers a growing need in a better way, says Bollestad to news. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe does not want to comment on the case until she has answered the question from Almeland in the Storting.
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Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe must answer questions about the scattering of ashes – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
