Imagine a place so peaceful and focused on life that even death itself is unwelcome. This isn’t fiction, but a reality in Lanjarón, an idyllic mountain town in southern Spain. With a population of about 3,500, this town is known not only for its healing mineral water but also for a law that has officially forbidden dying since 1999. An edict, in black and white, stating, “It is hereby forbidden to die in Lanjarón.”
A Cemetery at Capacity: The Quirky Story Behind the Law
The origins of this bizarre law are as pragmatic as they are ingenious. In 1999, the mayor at the time, José Rubio, faced a serious problem: the municipal cemetery was filled to capacity. As the regional government delayed approving an expansion, the town had nowhere to put its deceased. In an act of political desperation and dramatic flair, Rubio did the only logical thing: he declared death illegal.
This move was less a dystopian interference with nature and more a brilliant PR stunt. A loud, satirical cry for help designed to draw the attention of the media and higher authorities to the problem. The locals got the joke, but the news spread like wildfire, making Lanjarón world-famous overnight.
From a Morbid Ban to a Thriving Wellness Paradise
Of course, no one was ever fined for passing away. The law was a symbolic act that achieved its purpose. Although it remains unclear to this day whether the desired cemetery expansion was ever fully realized, the town gained something far more valuable: legendary status.
Today, Lanjarón, located in the province of Granada, benefits enormously from this story. The town has blossomed into a thriving hub for health and wellness. With its famous mineral springs, clean mountain air, and a spa offering that rivals international standards, Lanjarón attracts tourists seeking rejuvenation and longevity. The old law, “You can’t die here,” now seems like a perfectly fitting brand slogan. Social media creators on TikTok and travel bloggers have revived the story, turning it into viral gold.
Not an Isolated Case: Where Else Dying Is Forbidden
Lanjarón is not alone in its unusual legislation. Similar bans exist in other parts of the world for different reasons:
- Longyearbyen, Norway: Here, dying is forbidden because the bodies do not decompose in the permafrost. The terminally ill are asked to travel to the mainland to die to prevent the spread of viruses from preserved bodies.
- Sellia, Italy: To combat depopulation, the mayor passed a law in 2015 declaring death illegal and requiring citizens to undergo regular health check-ups.
- Biritiba Mirim (Brazil) and Falciano del Massico (Italy): Similar to Lanjarón, overflowing cemeteries also led to official bans on dying here.
In the age of biohacking and the quest for eternal youth, Lanjarón has unintentionally set the ultimate trend. The message is as poetic as it is simple: Forget pills and expensive therapies. Just live. Because here, it’s the law.
