Akureyri Cemetery transfers mortuary management to Akureyri Funeral Service, introduces fees

The management of the Akureyri Cemetery’s mortuary is being transferred to the Akureyri Funeral Service at the beginning of December, marking the start of fees for the use of the facility. Until now, services at the cemetery have been free since regulations have prohibited charging for mortuary fees.

The Akureyri cemeteries have ceased direct operation of their mortuary and have leased it out due to a lack of state funding to support such facilities. The Executive Director of the Akureyri Cemeteries has stated that the cemeteries have limited options for financing as they are not permitted to collect fees for their services. Consequently, the only viable course of action was to stop operating the mortuary, as continuing in this manner was no longer sustainable.

The Akureyri Funeral Service, an independent entity owned by the Akureyri Cemeteries, will begin managing the mortuary starting December 1. The service will introduce charges for the storage of remains, with a price of around 30,000 Icelandic króna for up to fifteen days. However, the director acknowledges that these fees will not cover all operational costs or depreciation of the extensive facility.

For years, the cemetery management has sought legal permission to impose service fees, but no tangible solutions have been provided by authorities. The recent decision to lease the mortuary has been critical, as it ensures that the Akureyri Funeral Service retains its operating license, which is conditioned on access to a mortuary. Thus, these developments illustrate the interconnectedness of funeral services and mortuary operations within the region.