In the middle of Bøler church, there is an empty coffin made of mushrooms. The white coffin is shaped like a large egg. Moss, pine cones and sheep fur are laid inside. The mushroom box is now being tested in Norway. It is made of 100 percent degradable material and should disappear within 45 days in normal soil. After extensive research in the Netherlands, it was found that the mixture between mycelium and hemp fiber can make durable coffins. The mushroom chest is a fairly new phenomenon and comes with fresh moss, pine cones and sheep fur. Research shows that more people now want a more personal funeral. A mushroom coffin can, for example, suit a deceased nature lover or an environmental enthusiast. Funeral consultant Anita Bjølge-Oller likes to use elements during the funeral that describe the deceased. – I think that it will be a much closer and nicer experience in a difficult time. The family always dreads the funeral itself, but it is twofold. They are happy when we help them think of personal moves they are not able to think of then and there. Funeral consultant Anita Bjølge-Oller will this autumn test the mushroom coffin for the first time in Norway. – Some church buildings and chapels can be a bit impersonal. Then it’s nice to bring elements like that in. Photo: Julia Aleksandra Biernat / news Negotiations at the grave The report “Negotiations at the grave” shows that more people are choosing to move away from the traditional funeral. More and more relatives want more personal funerals, where the unique life of the person in the coffin is emphasized. It was forskning.no that mentioned the report first. – It has become more important for people to be an individual, i.e. to be something for themselves, says Fredrik Saxegaard, researcher at MF Vitenskapelige høyskole, who is behind the research report. According to researcher Fredrik Saxegaard, people have long been concerned with following tradition. Whereas today we see to a greater extent that people are concerned with making it personal. Photo: Julia Aleksandra Biernat / news More colors The “personal” in a funeral can be anything from longer words of remembrance, that music is played that meant something to the deceased or that objects from the deceased are displayed. The report contains many examples of such elements. Among other things, it has become more common to have different colors and motifs on the coffins. The agencies are a bit braver. Before, everything was black and white, while now you often find more colors. Fredrik Saxegaard believes that this trend is due to the times we live in. – In the past, funerals were in the church. Back then it was relatively similar, whereas today you will see a much greater variation. People have more resources and greater opportunity to draw a picture of a human life. Is it okay to take personal notes at funerals? No, it should be traditional with hymns and a regular coffin. Go ahead with everything that is fun. Who cares, you’re dead anyway. Show result Music makes it personal According to the report, relatives want less of the Christian and religious and more of the personal. Where before it was natural to use hymns, now songs by Elvis and even the Olsen band’s theme song have become the new normal. – The music choices have become much wider. Relatives are becoming more and more aware of the opportunities they have to make the ceremony personal, says cantor Erlend Fagertun, who has written a master’s thesis on relatives’ choice of music at funerals. According to cantor Erlend Fagertun, hymns you don’t usually listen to much can be alienating instead of inclusive. Photo: Private Non-church funeral The report also shows that for many relatives it is natural and obvious to have a church funeral after a family member has passed away. Nevertheless, it happens that they end up having a non-church funeral, or in any case have to take this into serious consideration. – You must have hymns if you choose a Christian ceremony. Then you must have three hymns, points out funeral consultant Anita Bjølge-Oller. She sees that more and more people are choosing an open-minded ceremony. – Then we are free, without being bound to any such traditions and strict frameworks. – Music is so important to people that they are willing to change their faith in order to have the music they want performed, says cantor Erlend Fagertun. Hi! Thanks for reading! Do you have any tips or input on this issue or other things I should write about? Feel free to send me an email! Published 24.09.2024, at 05.47
ttn-69
More people want more personal funerals – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
