Hundreds of people gather at funerals in Södertälje

Of: Josefine Karlsson

Published: February 26, 2021 at 10:34 p.m.
Updated: February 26, 2021 at 10:49 p.m.

NEWS

The Södertälje municipality has banned dancing and mingling in 13 nightclubs to curb the infection.

At the same time, hundreds continue to gather at funerals, up to 400 people.

– It can have fatal consequences if you do not follow the restrictions, says Henrik Lindkvist, manager of the cemetery in Södertälje.

Before Christmas, hundreds gathered at parties in various venues in Södertälje. The municipality acted by banning dancing and mingling in 13 nightclubs to curb crowds and rampant infection.

Many people still attend open-air funerals in Södertälje. Despite the fact that only 20 people are allowed to attend, the limit has been exceeded several times.

– There have been variable numbers, ranging from 30 to 150 people. We have received information that recently there have been up to 400 people at a funeral. It’s very unfortunate, says Jonas Packalem, Södertälje police inspector.

Photo: Image of the reader.

Hundreds of people in a cemetery in Södertälje.

The church actively worked on the problem, but is struggling to find a solution.

– Sometimes they have kept a good distance even though they are large groups. But sometimes you have been physical, you have had close contact and you have hugged. It is also a very delicate situation. We find it difficult to come in and control and establish when people cry. It’s a dilemma, says Henrik Lindkvist, director of the Södertälje pastoral cemetery.

Sensitive to dissolving the burial

Early in the pandemic, the church hired guards at certain funerals. But that measure was too expensive.

– It wasn’t sustainable. We work preventively and inform about the importance of enforcing the rules, putting up posters and signs on the street, he says.

The police have been present at several funerals and have had a dialogue with those involved, both before and during the ceremony. By law, the authority has the mandate to dissolve crowds, a measure that is tried to be avoided as far as possible at a funeral.

– We do not want to have to make that decision, but if it does not improve, we will have to take certain measures. The use of physical restraint at a funeral is not proportionate. We want to emphasize that we understand that you are sensitive, that it is the last time to cry, and that you want to show compassion. But it is a difficult situation and the pandemic continues. Each individual must take responsibility and respect the restrictions, says Jonas Packalem.

“It can affect the whole of society”

Recently, development has deteriorated. Henrik Lindkvist understands that a funeral cannot be postponed, but he is concerned about the consequences of the congestion in the cemetery.

– It is an occasion of mourning that only happens once and cannot be repeated. But it can have fatal consequences if you don’t follow the restrictions. It can affect the whole of society, he says.

Now, several actors must join forces to overcome the problem.

– We will continue to actively cooperate and come out even clearer and keep our distance, he says.

At the same time, the church has received reactions from the public and visitors to the cemeteries.

– We have been criticized for not banning and stopping. We do this within the church because there we feel we have a mandate with a 20 person limit. The outdoors is more of a public place and we have a hard time going there and dragging people away. You want to avoid such a situation and not even have to think about it, says Henrik Lindkvist.

Kommuntoppen: “It is shameful to gather so many”

Boel Godner (S), chairman of the Södertälje municipal council, is furious with the funeral crowd.

– It’s sad. A slap in the face to all those who sacrificed so much during the pandemic. I can understand that it feels embarrassing and difficult to say no to a funeral, but it should be embarrassing that in this situation so many get together, he says.

Södertälje had already been severely affected during the pandemic by a strong spread of the infection. Boel Godner is concerned about development.

– Crowds like these run the risk of increasing the spread and I am concerned that it may now accelerate again. There are those who have carried out small funerals and sometimes with a digital presence. And then there are the ones who do this. It is incredibly frustrating. Everyone must take responsibility and we call on everyone to avoid crowds, he says.

Published: February 26, 2021 at 10:34 p.m.

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