A hushed reverence hangs in the air. We stand before Skogskrematoriet. This isn’t just any crematorium. It’s a masterpiece. A testament to artistry and grief.
Skogskrematoriet is part of Stockholm’s Skogskyrkogården a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s more than a place of cremation. It’s a vital part of the landscape. Designed by the renowned Gunnar Asplund it was completed in 1940. Asplund himself was cremated here. His simple epitaph reads “His work lives on”. A poignant reminder of his legacy.
The original plans for Skogskyrkogården dating back to 1914 included a crematorium. But it took decades of discussion and several proposals. Asplund’s colleague Sigurd Lewerentz felt bitter when Asplund was solely commissioned. Asplund’s perfectionist counterpart Lewerentz’s slow pace perhaps contributed to the decision.
Skogskrematoriet boasts three chapels: Faith Hope and the Holy Cross. These are connected to a large open Monument Hall. This hall serves as a gathering place and a space for larger funerals. A highlight is a retractable glass wall. It separates the Monument Hall from the Holy Cross Chapel. This allows for flexibility depending on the service’s needs.
The building’s exterior is clad in yellow travertine. Copper details and fittings add to its elegance. Inside the Monument Hall stands John Lundqvist’s Resurrection Monument. It features figures reaching towards the heavens. Asplund designed the upward-facing copper light fixtures. They cast an impressive glow once darkness falls.
The interior design is a blend of stone ceramics wood glass and metal. It showcases Asplund’s signature style a soft modernism characteristic of the 1930s. The overall feel is one of restrained elegance. It’s a place of peace and reflection. A fitting tribute to those who have passed. A true masterpiece of design and a deeply moving place to visit. This is Skogskrematoriet. A place where art and remembrance intertwine. A place that truly embodies Asplund’s vision. A legacy etched in stone and memory.