A potentially grave situation for Danish churchyards

Changing burial patterns and depopulation in rural areas could cause some graveyards to be reclaimed

The association of Danish cemetery administrators estimates that around half of the total churchyard area in Denmark is not being used.

Graves are not being maintained for so long and more people are being buried in urns that do not take up so much space, DR Nyeder reports.

In Denmark, it is usual that a grave is preserved for a minimum of 20 years and an urn burial for 10 years. After that, it can be extended or the grave site reused.

READ ALSO: Prices rising at Danish cemeteries

Filling the gaps
“In parishes where the population is declining, the preservation period on more and more graves runs out, so there are more and more gaps between them,” said Asger Grove Korsholm, the dean of Nørdre and Søndre Deanery in Herning.

On the other hand, surviving spouses have the right to be buried by the side of their deceased husband or wife, so there will still be a need for graveyards.

Some parishes intend to combat the problem by using the vacant areas for more plants and benches and turning areas of their churchyards into recreative areas.

One reason for the decline is that more people are choosing a communal grave instead of an individual one. There are also more cremations and urns don’t take up as much room in the churchyard as a coffin burial does.

Also, the preservation period for graves is not being extended as frequently as it was in the past. This could be because family members are more often moving away from where they were born, so don’t feel the need to maintain the graves of their relatives as much.




  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.