Isättning

Isättning is a term used in Swedish funeral practice to denote the act of placing the deceased’s coffin or cremated remains in their final resting place, such as a grave or an urn niche. The moment typically occurs after the funeral service during the committal and is considered the concluding part of the ceremony. It may take place at the graveside, or at a chapel or cemetery building if weather or location requires.

During isättning, the rite is often brief and may include elements such as prayers, readings, hymns, a blessing by an officiant, and a period of silence or reflection. Participants usually include close family and friends, sometimes accompanied by cremation staff or a pastor, depending on local tradition and religious affiliation. The act symbolizes the transition of the deceased from the community’s care to their final resting place.

Related terms include gravsättning (burial in a grave) and urnsättning (placing an urn). The exact usage of isättning versus gravsättning can vary by denomination, region, or cemetery rules. The term derives from the verb isätta, meaning to set or place firmly.

In secular contexts, isättning may be used more broadly to describe the laying to rest of a person, with or without religious elements, depending on the preferences of the family and the applicable legal or cemetery guidelines.