There is nowhere in the world where people are excited about dying, in fact, everyone does all in their power to lengthen their days. Even though death is inevitable, there are actually places around the world that do not want to hear about it or witness it.
Here are seven towns that have urged their residents to become immortal—or at least not die within city limits:
1. SELLIA, ITALY
In 2015, the mayor of this town in southern Italy decreed that getting sick was not an option for residents. With only 537 residents, the majority of whom are over 65, dying might kill the town itself.
So the ban, while unenforceable, is really meant to encourage people to stay healthy and take care of themselves. Anyone who doesn’t get a yearly checkup will be fined.
2. CUGNAUX, FRANCE
In 2007, Cugnaux had two cemeteries with only 17 plots left between them. Unfortunately, the only land available to expand the town’s burial ground was on the nearby military airbase.
When the defence ministry decided against letting the town bury its dead there, Philippe Guérin, the mayor of the southern French village, decreed dying illegal for anyone who didn’t already have a crypt prepared to be buried in.
3. SARPOURENX, FRANCE
Inspired by Cugnaux’s example, in 2008, an overcrowded cemetery led the mayor of the 260-person village in southwest France to forbid residents from passing on.
“Offenders shall be severely punished,” the ordinance read. However, the 70-year-old mayor defied his own edict and passed away later that year.
4. BIRITIBA MIRIM, BRAZIL
In 2005, faced with a shortage of space in the local cemetery, the mayor of this Brazilian town banned death. Cremation is frowned upon by the Catholic Church, and there were no more burial plots or crypts left.
The farming community, which provides much of Sao Paulo’s fruits and veggies, could not expand its cemetery because of a 2003 law. A new cemetery was opened in 2010, so presumably, people are allowed to go on dying now. But no one is sure how long it would be allowed.
5. LANJARON, SPAIN
In 1999, the mayor of this town in southern Spain also faced a grave shortage. In response, he forbid his citizens to die until municipal officials could find space for a new cemetery.
The decree ordered folks “to take utmost care of their health so they do not die until town hall takes the necessary steps to acquire land suitable for our deceased to rest in glory,” according to an AP story at the time.
6. FALCIANO DEL MASSICO, ITALY
In 2012, this 3700-person town outside Naples decided to outlaw death as a way to get a neighbouring town into letting it share cemetery space (the neighbouring town had been charging non-residents more for a plot).
Falciano del Massico did not have a cemetery of its own. Unfortunately, two senior citizens broke the law. As of 2014, the city was still fighting to get a new cemetery.
7. LONGYEARBYEN, NORWAY
In 1950, realizing that bodies in the local cemetery were not decomposing, the town stopped allowing new burials. The rule is simple – if you get sick in this town, you have to go elsewhere.
