Kistgravplats

Kistgravplats is a term used in Swedish to describe a grave site intended for the burial of a coffin with the deceased. In practice, a kistgravplats is a designated plot within a cemetery or churchyard where a coffin is interred during a funeral service and the grave subsequently marked with a gravestone or plaque. The concept contrasts with urnanvisningar such as cremation urn plots, where the remains are stored in an urn rather than buried in a coffin.

Historically, coffin burials have been the conventional method of interment in many European cemeteries, and the term kistgravplats remains in use to refer to traditional coffin burials. A kistgravplats can take the form of an individual grave or a family plot, allowing one or more coffins over time. The arrangement typically includes the grave itself, a marker, and ongoing cemetery maintenance by staff or the family, in accordance with local regulations regarding depth, spacing, and memorials.

In recent decades, cremation has become more common, leading to a broader range of burial options. Nevertheless, coffin burials and kistgravplats remain a standard option in many cemeteries, preserving traditional practices and the ability to mark and maintain the grave with a permanent memorial.

Etymology: kista means coffin, and gravplats means graveyard or burial ground.

See also: burial, cremation, cemetery, churchyard.