Seraphim Toll
The Royal burial church on Riddarholmen also houses the Coats of arms of deceased Seraphim Knights. The deceased Knight is honoured with a Seraphim Toll the same day as the funeral service takes place.
Seraphim Toll
The coats of arms for living Knights and Members are kept in the Royal Castle. When a Knight or Member passes away, the coat of arms is taken to the Riddarholm Church during the day of the funeral. The Seraphim Toll lasts for one hour, at 12.00–13.00.
The Royal Order of the Seraphim is the highest Royal Swedish Order. It has only one degree: Knight (for gentlemen) and Member (for ladies). The Order is mainly awarded to foreign Heads of State and their equals.
The church will be open to the public during the ceremony, and will open approximately at 12:00.
The bell of the Riddarholmen Church will ring between 12:00 and 13:00.
About the Order of the Seraphim
Since 1748, the coats of arms of Seraphim Knights have hung on the walls of the church. When a Knight of the Seraphim dies, the date of death is added to the coat of arms before being taken to the Riddarholm Church.
The bell of the Riddarholmen Church are also rung on the day when a Seraphim Knight is buried. This is known as a Seraphim Toll.
The Order of the Seraphim is a royal Swedish order, and is Sweden's highest award.
Since the church has not been a parish church for more than 200 years, these tolls are one of the few occasions when the church bell ring.
The ceremony
The Seraphim Toll usually takes place at 12:00–13:00 at the Riddarholmen Church, on the same day that the funeral service is held for Seraphim Knight.
The Seraphim arms of the deceased will be hung in the chancel during the toll. Musicians from the Armed Forces Music Corps will take part in the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the Deputy Clerk to the Office will officially announce the death of the Knight of the Seraphim.
The church is open open to the public during the ceremony, and opens usually at 12:00.
How to get to the Riddarholmen Church
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Top image: The Riddarholmen Church, photo Dick Norberg/Royalpalaces.se
Former President of the Republic of Finland Martti Ahtisaari was honoured by a Seraphim Toll in Riddarholmen Church on November 10th 2023.
The church is open to the public during the ceremony. Photo: Royalpalaces.se
The Riddarholmen Church is a royal burial church, and is also where the Seraphim arms of deceased Knights of the Order of the Seraphim are hung. Photo: Dick Norberg/Royalpalaces.se
See the ceremony from the Seraphim Toll September 19th 2022 for Queen Elisabeth.
