Whenever Visiting This Norwegian Archipelago, Whatever You Do, Try Not To Die

In nan distant Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, nan municipality of Longyearbyen has agelong captured world imagination arsenic nan spot wherever dying is supposedly “illegal”. 

As ambiance alteration accelerates permafrost thaws successful 2025, this viral communicative is resurfacing. But is it really against nan rule to dice successful Norway’s northernmost settlement? The reply is simply a resounding no, according to charismatic sources. What exists is simply a applicable funeral prohibition driven by stiff crushed and ancient pathogens, forcing terminally sick residents to nan mainland. Dive into nan facts down this enduring myth.

Is it really forbidden to dice successful Longyearbyen, Norway? The 2025 truth check

No rule prohibits dying successful Longyearbyen. The “illegal to die” declare is axenic myth, originating from sensational headlines for illustration a 2008 BBC article. Svalbard Church leader Jovna Z. Dunfjell clarified: “It is not forbidden to dice successful Longyearbyen… If that had been nan case, really would you punish nan act?”. Official confirmation comes from nan Governor of Svalbard: coffin burials stopped successful nan 1950s, but decease itself is not criminalised.

Why bodies don’t decompose: The permafrost subject explained

Longyearbyen’s cemetery hasn’t accepted caller graves since 1950 because permafrost prevents decomposition, preserving bodies, and viruses, indefinitely. Exhumed remains from 1918 still contained viable Spanish flu traces successful nan 1990s Culture Trip. As Jan Christian Meyer from nan Norwegian University of Science and Technology warns, “The permanently stiff ground… whitethorn besides perfectly sphere nan illness that killed you”.

What happens if personification dies successful Longyearbyen today?

Terminally sick residents are flown to mainland Norway for end-of-life attraction – nan section infirmary lacks precocious facilities. Unexpected deaths? Bodies are shipped southbound immediately. Residents support mainland addresses for precisely this reason. In short, effort not to dice here. It tin origin each sorts of awkwardness.

Climate alteration 2025: The increasing pathogen threat successful Svalbard

Svalbard is warming 5 times faster than nan world average, pinch temperatures up 4°C since 1971. Thawing permafrost could merchandise ancient viruses, which would make Longyearbyen’s funeral prohibition much applicable than ever.

Longyearbyen besides has a fewer different quirky laws, specified arsenic cats – they are banned to protect Artic birds, and guns are welcomed owed to nan 100s of polar bears, which are not, and intoxicant is strictly limited. Apparently, pregnant women are flown retired 3 weeks early, arsenic births are considered to analyzable for nan section wellness services.

Bans connected dying are not each that uncommon. Similar symbolic bans beryllium in:

• Sellia, Italy (fines for dying without expert permission)
• Le Lavandou, France (cemetery full)
• Lanjarón, Spain (health promotion)
• Itsukushima, Japan (ritual purity)

It is perfectly good to sojourn Svalbard, successful truth they walk a batch connected promoting tourism. However, for illustration everyplace successful nan world, travel nan “when successful Rome” rule, and successful this case, effort not to die.