All Other Funeral Services in Oslo Moved for King Harald’s Funeral

All other funeral ceremonies in Oslo will be moved to different days on September 9, the day of King Harald V’s funeral. Oslo’s Church Council has blocked ceremonies in church premises and those involving church participation on the day of the king’s funeral, while the city’s cemetery authority has supported the decision.

Jølstad, the funeral director responsible for the king’s funeral, said only a small number of ceremonies had already been scheduled for that Wednesday. Those ceremonies have been moved in cooperation with the bereaved families. The company said only its Oslo office was affected.

The king’s coffin will remain in the Palace Chapel until the funeral, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. The report also says parliamentarian June Gruer, 25, took photographs inside the chapel despite a strict ban. She told VG that she did not know about the prohibition beforehand and had deleted the images.

The royal household has declared mourning until October 9. During that period, the royal family and court employees will wear dark clothing or uniforms with mourning bands. Official programs will be canceled except for constitutional duties, the formal opening of parliament and selected audiences. Royal properties normally open to the public will also close.

Separately, hospital management and the privacy officer at Rikshospitalet were alerted to a possible breach of confidentiality after rumors circulated on social media that the king had died. The rumors spread on Thursday, and the king died at the hospital at 6:35 a.m. the following day, aged 89.

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I was made aware after the procession that photography was prohibited. I was not aware of it beforehand. The photographs have been deleted.