Content:

1. Introduction 

A period of national mourning is an official period of mourning declared by the authorities. The Government has declared a period of national mourning from the day King Harald died until after the funeral.

This guide provides more information about what takes place during a period of national mourning and about how the Government and central government agencies will observe the period. Guidance is also given on how individuals, organisations, companies, municipalities and counties can mark the period of national mourning.

2. Observance of the national mourning period by the Government and central government agencies

The Government and central government agencies will mark the period of national mourning in a number of ways. Flags will be flown at half-mast at the Royal residences, government buildings and military bases.

Official activities and events will be carried out as planned, but any events held during this period are to be appropriately respectful and should mark the fact that the nation is in mourning. As a sign of respect, organisers may wish to hold a minute’s silence, display a portrait of King Harald and/or light candles. All social events that are not work-related are to be cancelled or postponed.

3. Observance of the national mourning period by others

Over and above the guidance for the Government and central government agencies, there are no clearly defined rules for how to observe the national mourning period.

This document is intended to provide individuals, organisations, companies, municipalities and counties with information about what takes place during a period of national mourning as well as guidance about how the national mourning period may be observed. Individual municipalities and counties may, if they wish to do so, follow the guidance for the Government and central government agencies, see section 2.

However, it is important to bear in mind that grief is a very personal process, and people may wish or need to mark the death of King Harald in different ways. There are no expectations as to how individuals or organisations are to behave or dress during the period of mourning. We must all find our own way of observing the mourning period and showing our respect, as individuals, families, local communities, workplaces, organisations and as a country.

The City of Oslo will publish information about the day of the funeral on its website. Special guidance will apply for the day of the funeral, both for practical reasons and as a mark of respect for the funeral.

4. Business sector and public services

During the national mourning period, the country will continue to function as normal. There is no obligation for companies or organisations to suspend activities during this period. Public services will continue as usual.

Depending on the nature of their activity, where they are based and the type of events planned, organisations and businesses may consider closing or may decide to postpone or cancel events. Any such decisions are at the discretion of the individual organisation/business.

It may be appropriate for businesses and public services to mark the period of national mourning. For example, they may wish to hold a minute’s silence, display a photograph of King Harald, or light candles.

Special guidance for the day of the funeral will be provided, as necessary. This may apply in particular to organisations/businesses in Oslo.

5. Private events

Private events such as birthday celebrations, christenings, naming day ceremonies, confirmations, weddings and funerals may be carried out as normal, unless the organisers themselves wish to adjust their plans.

6. Cultural and sporting events etc.

Cultural and sporting events may be carried out as planned and entertainment venues kept open, unless the organisers or owners themselves wish to cancel or postpone events or close venues.

It may be appropriate for organisers to mark the period of national mourning. For example, they may wish to hold a minute’s silence, play the national anthem at the start of the event, and/or encourage participants to wear black armbands.

On the day of the funeral, organisers may wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues. Any such decisions are at the discretion of the individual organisation. If cultural or sporting events are planned for the day of the funeral, organisers may consider adjusting the time of the events so that they do not coincide with the funeral service and associated processions.

For organisers in Oslo, special considerations may need to be taken on the day of the funeral, both for practical reasons and as a mark of respect for the funeral.

7. Commemorative events

There will be an opportunity for people to pay their respects to King Harald as he lies in state in the Palace Chapel at the Royal Palace, see www.kongehuset.no for information about days and times.

The Church of Norway will hold mourning services across the country on the first Sunday or Wednesday after His Majesty’s death, and these services are open to all. Other religious and belief communities, organisations, education institutions and other entities may also organise events to commemorate King Harald’s service to Norway.

8. Flags at half-mast

Flags will be flown at half-mast at the Royal residences, government buildings and military bases.

Others who wish to pay their respects by lowering a flag to half-mast should follow the guidance given on the government website www.regjeringen.no.

9. Floral tributes and lighting of candles

Many people wish to lay flowers or light a candle to show their respect for the deceased. Floral and other tributes may be laid in the Palace Square. In each municipality there may be places, for example near the town hall, by a memorial or in a park, where people can lay flowers or other tributes in memory of King Harald. More information will be made available in your own municipality.

The Government and the Royal Court respectfully request that no flowers are sent to the Royal residences, government ministries or the Office of the Prime Minister, and ask for understanding that only those who are authorised to do so may send wreaths to the funeral.

10. Books of condolence

Individuals can sign an online book of condolence on www.kongehuset.no. There will also be opportunities to sign physical books of condolence in the various municipalities.

Anyone who wishes to do so may open a book of condolence. There are no set rules for how to present a physical book of condolence. The book of condolence could for example be placed on an oblong table covered with a white tablecloth, and with a floral arrangement and a framed photograph of His Majesty. This could be an official portrait photograph or a photograph taken during a previous Royal visit. As a mark of respect, a black ribbon could be wrapped around the top right-hand corner of the photo frame.

If people wish to do so, books of condolence may be sent to the Palace. Each municipality or organisation may deliver its book of condolence to the relevant Office of the County Governor, which will send all the books of condolence from the county to the Palace.

11. Websites and social media

Online communication channels may also be used to mark the death of King Harald. Organisations may wish to acknowledge the national mourning period by making changes to their website homepage, for example, by using black edging or black banners.

Organisations and individuals may also wish to share their memories of King Harald online. There is no set way to mark the national mourning period on social media. Organisations may wish to review content they have planned to publish during this period.

Any changes to websites or social media pages should take into consideration accessibility requirements for users with visual or hearing impairment.

12. Travel information

Throughout the period of national mourning, particularly on days when there are ceremonial events and in the lead-up to the funeral, public transport in the centre of Oslo may be very crowded, and journeys may take longer than usual.

More information will be provided by the various transport operators, relevant municipalities and the Police, and individuals should check whether their journey is likely to be affected before they set off.

13. The funeral

The day of the funeral is not an official public holiday, but each individual school, place of study or employer may wish to consider allowing pupils, students and employees to follow the funeral service on television. Particular consideration may need to be shown on that day. For example, noisy activities should be suspended while the funeral is ongoing.

The day of His Majesty King Olav’s funeral, 30 January 1991, was not a public holiday, but many people were granted leave that day. The vast majority of the country followed the ceremony on television.

On the day of the funeral, there will be one minute’s silence across the country in memory of King Harald from 13:00 to 13:01. The minute’s silence will start with three bell tolls from all the country’s churches. When a minute has passed, three further bell tolls will mark the end of the minute’s silence.

14. Further information

For more information, see www.regjeringen.no or www.kongehuset.no.

Municipalities, counties, organisations or individuals who have further questions should contact the relevant Office of the County Governor, see www.statsforvalteren.no.

Please note that this applies to all questions, regardless of topic or area.