Public commissions

Another major project for Folke in 1961 was to be closely involved in the complete rebuilding of the Berthåga Crematorium which dated originally from the 1890’s. The architect was Kurt von Schmalensee. 

For the smaller of the two chapels, St. Steffan’s, Folke made a wonderful “Sunburst” roundel of painted glass, about 1.5m in diameter, using brilliant yellows and blues and very bold overlapping of colours to catch the afternoon sun. His daughter Meike made the large ‘Tree of Life’ tapestry that hangs on the wall, using natural fibres and natural dyes. In the larger St. Erik’s Chapel, on the south wall he placed a block of nine square windows, the outer seven indicate the changing positions of the sun, while the two central lower ones indicate the fiery sun’s central core. More light came from the nine 3m high slit windows in the organ loft, using thick glass of many colours. 

In the main corridor, there are two thick appliqued niche lights, known by glass makers as dalle de verre. 

To mark the journey into the underworld, Folke oversaw the construction of an extraordinary stone wall composed of huge boulders made as a mosaic rather than stonework walling. More small niche windows set into the wall allow a glimpse of the outside world and light within. 

The windows illuminating the approach corridor to the two chapels are screened by Folke’s abstract iron works, fastened to the outside of the wall. These wonderful sculptures are dramatic seen from either outside or within. So much of all this work will have come from Folke’s own hands. 

The building is set in a wide and open landscape of rocks, junipers and grass.