Archive · 31 Jul 2025
Lanjaron, Spain: The Town Where It's Illegal To Die
In Lanjaron, Spain, there's a funny rule: you're not supposed to die there.
This was because the town's graveyard was too full.
The mayor made this rule as a joke to encourage people to wait until they found a place to bury people.
This rule has been around for 26 years.
The town is famous for its water and spa.
It is a destination for tourism and is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Another town, Longyearbyen in Norway, has a similar rule because bodies don't decompose there.
The Spanish town of Lanjaron has a humorous rule: it's forbidden to die there.
This odd regulation was put in place in 1999 by the mayor due to cemetery overcrowding.
The rule, intended to be a temporary measure, remains in effect 26 years later.
Lanjaron is known for its mineral springs and is a popular wellness destination.
Longyearbyen, Norway, also has a 'no dying' rule, due to bodies not decomposing.
- Who
- Former mayor Jose Rubio.
- What
- An edict forbidding death.
- When
- Since 1999.
- Where
- Lanjaron, Spain.
- Why
- Due to overcrowded cemetery and lack of burial space.
- Town
- Lanjaron
- Country
- Spain
- Population
- Around 4,000 residents
- Reason for rule
- Cemetery overcrowding
- Year Rule Implemented
- 1999