Cremation became legal in Sweden in 1888, but it was not until the mid-20th century that it became socially accepted alongside traditional coffin burials. Since then, its popularity has steadily increased — first in cities, but eventually in rural areas as well.
During the 1990s, around 60% of Swedes chose cremation. Today, in the 2020s, the number has risen to approximately 83–86%.
So why has cremation become the obvious choice for so many?