Planning a funeral
Basic Instructions for the Family of the Deceased.
This section provide you with information on every step when arranging a funeral. The extract is from Finnish Association of Funeral Services
You have been struck by sorrow. After a death, practical arrangements must be made for things like organizing a funeral, even amidst grieving. For these arrangements, it would be easiest for you to contact a funeral home of your choice or the church of the deceased. The funeral home does not need to be located in the deceased’s municipality of residence.
Funeral arrangements can begin immediately after a person’s death.
Burial permit
The doctor who treated your loved one will issue a burial permit, if there is no need for examinations to determine the cause of death. Otherwise, the burial permit will be issued after these examinations. Funeral arrangements can be made even before the burial permit has been issued.
Death certificate
A death certificate states the cause of death of the deceased and will be issued only after the results of all laboratory and other tests required to determine cause of death have been received. This may sometimes take as long as several months. A death certificate is not needed for dealing with the authorities.
Notification of death
Notification of death will be sent through official channels to the Digital and Data Population Data Services Agency to be entered into the census record, from which the information will be passed on to places such as the church, the Kela home (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), most banks etc.
Funeral arrangements
The easiest way to organize a funeral is to contact the funeral home of your choice, which will reliably and professionally begin to take care of matters related to the funeral. In accordance with your wishes, the funeral home will contact the necessary parties to organize the funeral. They will reserve the times, places and suppliers for the service.
Burial place
The burial place will usually be a cemetery. Arrangements for using a grave already in the family’s possession can be made at the funeral home. Obtaining a new burial place does not require church membership; parishes have a duty to grant a burial place to all residents of the municipality. The best places for getting information about other burial places are your local parish or a funeral home.
Coffin burial
The funeral service is almost identical for coffin burials and cremations. After service, the coffin is usually carried from the church or chapel accompanied by family members and laid to the grave. The service may also take place at the grave site.
Cremation
Memorial service
There is usually a memorial service after the funeral service. The memorial can be held at home, at parish premises or at some other suitable location.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs are paid primarily from the deceased’s own assets and account. If the deceased has no means of their own for the funeral, it is possible to apply for funeral support from the social services of the deceased’s last place of residence. Social services will usually pay the mandatory minimum funeral costs.
Estate inventory
An estate inventory must be made for all persons who lived and died in Finland within three months from death. If necessary, it is possible to apply for an extension for the estate inventory. An estate inventory is a report of the heirs, assets and debts of the deceased. The estate inventory is delivered to the tax home.
A checklist for families
There are many things someone must take care of after a death. For example, it may be necessary to keep an eye on an empty apartment, empty the refrigerator and take care of pets. If any of the deceased’s property was left at the hospital, it needs to be picked up. The entire instruction list can be found in the link below.
You can reach Fant's funeral home around the clock by phone
Centrumvägen 3 (The Vallonia house)
65610 Korsholm
begravningsbyrafant@netikka.fi
Opening times:
Monday to Friday 9.00-16.30 9.00-16.30
+358 50 313 8142 (24hrs)
