It's Illegal to Die in This Town in Norway, Here's Why

 

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Longyearbyen, a town in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, has banned death since the 1950s due to permafrost preventing bodies from decomposing. The frozen ground preserves corpses—and any pathogens they carry—posing risks of disease outbreaks. This danger was confirmed when scientists found the 1918 influenza virus still intact in exhumed remains. To avoid such hazards, residents nearing death are flown to mainland Norway, and cremation is required for burials. Life in Longyearbyen is harsh, with extreme cold, months of darkness, polar bears, and even a ban on cats to protect local wildlife, making survival itself a remarkable feat Read more: It's Illegal To Die In This Town In Norway, Here's Why