The first cremation in Sweden takes place on 5 October 1887. Three years later, a temporary crematorium is built at Östra kyrkogården in Gothenburg, designed by architect Hans Hedlund. The building functions primarily as a technical facility but also includes a small space where mourners can gather. In Hedlund’s drawing, the dom... The first cremation in Sweden takes place on 5 October 1887. Three years later, a temporary crematorium is built at Östra kyrkogården in Gothenburg, designed by architect Hans Hedlund. The building functions primarily as a technical facility but also includes a small space where mourners can gather. In Hedlund’s drawing, the domed roof is crowned by an urn – a symbol of the building’s purpose. The commission comes from the Swedish Cremation Society, which promotes the introduction of cremation. Still, it will take another forty years before the practice becomes widespread.
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