Miyajima Torii shrine: Death was banned on the sacred Japanese island of Itsukushima to maintain 'purity'. Photo / Getty
Miyajima Torii shrine: Death was banned on the sacred Japanese island of Itsukushima to maintain 'purity'. Photo / Getty
You'd think banning the laws of logic and physics would be impossible, but there are a handful of places where officials have given it a go - by outlawing death.
Over in Longyearbyen, one of the world's most northerly cities on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, bodies don't decompose in the permafrost so death is prohibited and those on the verge of passing away are flown to the mainland.
Meanwhile in 1999 Jose Rubio, the mayor of Lanjaron in southern Spain, made death illegal because he felt the town's cemetery was too overcrowded for souls to get a decent eternal rest. Read on to learn more about the morbidly fascinating spots where the Grim Reaper is outlawed.
Itsukushima, Japan
The Japanese island of Itsukushima, also known as Miyajima, is considered to be a sacred place and it is home to many ancient shrines and temples.
To maintain its purity, death was apparently banned until the late 19th century, along with childbirth, and residents were shipped to nearby islands to be treated.
There are still no cemeteries or hospitals on the small outcrop.
Longyearbyen, Norway
In Norway's Longyearbyen, one of the world's most northerly cities, located on the archipelago of Svalbard, permafrost and frigid temperatures prevent the dead from decomposing.
To prevent disease from spreading, authorities decided to ban people from dying with the ruling enforced in 1950.
Those who are nearing death are flown to the mainland of Norway to live out their final days.
Longyearbyen: Svalbard's permafrost and frigid temperatures prevent the dead from decomposing. Photo / Getty
Lanjaron, Spain
In 1999 Jose Rubio, the mayor of Lanjaron in southern Spain, banned death.
It was reported that he felt the town's cemetery was too overcrowded for souls to get decent eternal rest. The area's 4,000 residents were advised to remain alive while municipal officials shopped for land to house a new graveyard.
Rubio issued an edict ordering people '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'. It's unclear if a new burial site was ever found.
Sarpourenx, France
In 2008, the mayor of the French village of Sarpourenx issued a decree banning residents from dying in his territory unless they owned a spot in the overcrowded cemetery.
Mayor Gerard Lalanne warned that there would be a 'severe punishment' for offenders.
He told AFP that he decided to take the radical measure in protest against a legal ruling preventing him from enlarging the burial ground in the village of 260 people. There is no word on whether Lalanne's wishes were ever granted.
Sellia, Italy
In 2015, the medieval village of Sellia in Italy banned people from getting sick in a bid to save its dwindling and ageing population.
Davide Zicchinella, the town's mayor, signed a decree stating that residents were forbidden from getting sick and they should put their health first.
In 1960, the town had 1,300 citizens, but by 2015 there were just 537 remaining with 60 per cent aged over 65.
Lanjaron in southern Spain, banned deathin 1999 when the town's cemetery became too crowded. Photo / Getty
Biritiba Mirim, Brazil
In 2005 officials in the Brazilian town of Biritiba Mirim, 45 miles east of Sao Paulo, proposed outlawing death because the local cemetery had reached full capacity at 50,000 grave sites and crypts were starting to be shared.
Mayor Roberto Pereira said the bill was meant as a protest against federal regulations that prevented him from creating a new cemetery. His request to extent the burial ground was denied under environmental rules as it ran over an area of rich farmland.
Pereira's bill warned that offenders would be 'held responsible for their acts' but there was no word on what the punishment would be and if his proposal was ever pushed through. In the meantime, Pereira urged residents to take care of their health 'in order not to die'.
Cugnaux, France
In 2007, Cugnaux in south-western France banned death after it could not get permission to open a new cemetery.
The town, which is home to around 17,000 residents, was subsequently granted permission to enlarge its local cemetery.
The story inspired the small French village of Sarpourenx to take the same action the following year.
