Coats of arms
The Royal burial church on Riddarholmen also houses the Coats of arms of deceased Seraphim Knights. A deceased Knight is honoured with a Seraphim Toll.
Since 1748, the coats of arms of Seraphim Knights have hung on the walls of the church.
Order of the Seraphim
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.
Seraphim Toll
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.
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 to the public during the ceremony, and opens usually at 12:00.
Top image: The Riddarholmen Church and the coats of arms, photo Erik Lefvander
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
When a Knight of the Seraphim dies, the date of death is added to the coat of arms before being taken to the church. Photo: Erik Lefvander
On the same day that the funeral service is held for Seraphim Knight, a ceremony will take place at the Riddarholmen Church. The church is open to the public during the ceremony. Photo: Royalpalaces.se
See the ceremony from the Seraphim Toll September 19th 2022 for Queen Elisabeth.
