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Denmark Prepares Priests for 20 Military Funerals a Day as Europe Braces for Major War
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Denmark is preparing parish priests across the country to handle large numbers of military funerals in the event of a major war in Europe, with planners considering scenarios in which 10 to 20 Danish soldiers could be killed on the worst days.
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According to Danish broadcaster TV 2 on September 12, the initiative was launched by Thomas H. Beck, head of Denmark’s military chaplains, amid concern over the possibility of a military confrontation on NATO’s eastern flank, including the Baltic states where Danish troops are deployed.
“In the event of a major war, I can easily imagine that we will have 10-20 casualties on the worst possible days. It is important that we are prepared to handle that situation,” Beck told TV 2. “The chaplains will not be able to undertake this task alone,” he added.
Denmark currently has around 95 military chaplains, while approximately 2,000 parish priests serve across the country. Beginning in January, military chaplains are expected to conduct training sessions for civilian clergy on how to receive fallen soldiers, conduct military funerals, and notify relatives of deaths.
The training will also cover military traditions surrounding funerals, including the use of Denmark’s national flag, military headgear, sabers, and medals. The program, called “People’s Church and Defense,” has received 1.8 million Danish kroner in funding from Denmark’s Ministry of Defence.
Beck said Denmark’s experience in Afghanistan involved far fewer casualties than those that could result from a larger war in Europe. “During the Afghanistan war, we only had a few deaths per year, which the Danish Armed Forces chaplains could easily handle,” he said.
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“Learned from the experience of the war in Ukraine, we may face much higher casualty figures in the future. And then there will be a need for the country’s other priests to also be able to receive fallen soldiers and conduct a military funeral,” Beck added.
TV 2 reported that the casualty estimate applies to a possible military confrontation abroad rather than fighting on Danish territory. Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service currently assesses that “there is currently no threat of a regular military attack against the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The preparations come as Denmark strengthens its military presence in the Baltic region. Danish forces have deployed a combat battalion to Latvia as part of NATO’s eastern defenses.
TV 2 also reported that Danish chaplains participated earlier this year in a Swedish military exercise involving a scenario with 500 dead soldiers. The drills included procedures for identifying bodies, placing fallen troops in body bags, and organizing burials.
“We have a lot to learn from both the Swedes and the Finns when it comes to larger exercises,” Beck said.
Sweden has also developed broader wartime burial plans. On the island of Gotland, church authorities have prepared procedures for burying as many as 3,000 people in wartime, including the possibility of using temporary graves before bodies are later transferred to their home parishes.
Beck stressed that Denmark’s figures remain estimates rather than an official casualty forecast. TV 2 noted that Danish authorities rarely discuss potential wartime losses publicly because such scenarios are generally treated as sensitive military planning.
Poland has also stepped up preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia. In August, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said Warsaw was “preparing for war,” warning that a major Russian provocation could occur within months as Poland strengthens its military, critical infrastructure, and defenses along NATO’s eastern flank.
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