gravlängd

Gravlängd is a term used in Swedish-speaking contexts to denote the length of a grave or burial plot. The word combines grav (“grave”) and längd (“length”), and it is used in cemetery administration, burial planning, and, in some contexts, archaeological records.

In practice, gravlängd describes the distance from the head end to the foot end of the grave trench or interment space. It helps determine the size of the coffin or casket that can be accommodated and the space allotted for the interment within a grave allotment. Standards vary by country and cemetery; typical lengths for adult burials are around two to three meters, with variations for children’s graves or for different burial styles such as vaults or cremation plots.

In cemetery planning, gravlängd interacts with grave depth, width, and interment spacing, and it is recorded in grave registries and site plans to coordinate maintenance and future burials. In archaeology and field documentation, a related use may appear as a measurement noted for a burial feature, though terminology can differ by discipline and region.

Etymology and cognates: gravlängd comes from Swedish, with related terms in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian gravlengde and Danish gravlængde, reflecting similar concepts of burial dimensions across the region.