A natural area has been developed on the Järvafältet in Akalla and a new cemetery has been built. The cemetery was opened in October 2024 and is intended for everyone, regardless of faith. The burial ground with burial sites has been designed as islands in the landscape, allowing visitors to walk, cycle, barbecue, and jog, with these activities remaining central to the site.
At Granholmstoppen, a new type of cemetery has been built. The burial ground with burial sites is designed as islands surrounded by a nature area with meadows and gravel roads.
As Stockholm grows, so does the need to care for the deceased. Since the early 2000s, there has been a shortage of burial land and the vision is that the new cemetery will have the same strategic importance and long-term significance as the Forest Cemetery has for the southern part of the city.
The cemetery is open to everyone, regardless of faith or belief. The site features a memorial garden, an ash grave garden, urn graves, and coffin graves.
A ceremony building has been constructed, which is also open to the public and in the area there are also buildings for employees and machines.
The City of Stockholm has been planning a new burial ground in the north-west of the city for many years. In 2005, The Cemetery Administration was given the responsibility for the project and has since investigated a number of potential sites.
The city chose the Akalla area for several reasons, partly because it was already designed in the 1970s to be a recreation area for Stockholm residents. These plans are now being implemented at a time when many people use cemeteries for recreational activities, such as walking and jogging. The opportunity to engage in various activities remains a key aspect of the site.
An international architectural competition was held in 2009, and the winning proposal featured well-defined tombs designed as islands in a hilly natural area with meadows and gravel roads.
The Järva area is being built. Already there were plans for a cemetery.
The proposal includes two alternative sites for cemetery, an area southwest of Granholmstoppen and another at Hägerstalund.
The City Council gives the cemetery board the task of investigating the conditions for a new burial ground in the Järva area.
Igelbäcken becomes a cultural reserve. According to the decision, new facilities should only be placed in the outer parts of the reserve. The Granholm top is situated in the outer parts.
Hägerstalund falls away as an alternative following a decision that the motorcross operations will remain until 2015.
Plan work for the cemetery begins for the area at Granholmstoppen.
An architectural competition attracted 111 submissions, with 'The Islands' design by Kristine Jensen Tegnestue and Poul Ingemann emerging as the winner.
A consultation on the planning program was held, during which the proposal was exhibited, meetings were held, and comments were collected.
A consultation on the planning program was held, during which the proposal was exhibited, meetings were held, and comments were collected.
The City Council approves a detailed plan for the cemetery.
The detailed plan for the cemetery gains legal force.
Decisions in the City Council on the financing of the first stage of the cemetery.
The project will be granted a reserve permit to build a mirror pond, wetland and build roads and draw wires.
Construction begins at the site.
The cemetery was put into operation in October 2024.
The Järva Cemetery is awarded the Landmärket Prize by the Swedish Architects for Best Landscape Architecture in 2024.
The overall design is described in a design program found in the planning and building e-services. In Swedish.
The Cemetery Administration is responsible for developing the nature area and constructing the cemetery. The administration will also manage the facility. The land is owned by the City of Stockholm.
The consulting company Hifab was engaged for planning and project management and NCC Infrastructure performed the initial site work in 2021 and 2022. Winge Byggnads AB constructed the buildings and JVAB handled the detailed planning. Peab was hired for landscaping in the area.
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