Cremation

In addition to coffin burial, cremation, or cremation, is a very common burial method in Finland, regulated by the Funeral Services Act (457/2003).

The deceased must always be cremated in a coffin due to technical requirements. Cremation traditionally takes place after the blessing or farewell ceremony within about 1–2 weeks.

The ashes must be permanently placed in one place within a year of the deceased's cremation. The ashes must not be distributed to different places, and the burial site must not form permanent grave markers if the burial site is not an official cemetery.

The final location of the ashes (e.g. coordinates or property code) must be reported in writing to the crematorium when the urn is collected.

Direct cremation

Direct cremation is performed without a separate blessing, farewell or display ceremony, in which case the deceased is transferred to a coffin and transported directly to the crematorium.

This is often the most affordable option, as the costs of the event, transportation, and parish services remain moderate.

Urn burial

Urn burial is a common burial method in Finland, in which the deceased is cremated and the ashes are placed in an urn in the grave. This is often a more flexible and affordable option than traditional coffin burial, as urn burial takes up less space and the costs of maintaining the grave are lower.

The urn can be buried either in an existing family grave or in a new grave in the parish cemetery.

The urn burial ceremony is called an urn burial and is often attended only by the closest relatives. The parish has taken care of the excavation of the grave site for the urn burial, and the caretaker or suntio on site at the ceremony guides the relatives in placing the urn.

Memorial grove

The ashes are scattered or buried in a memorial area managed by the parish, where loved ones can visit, for example, on a memorial grove bench to remember the deceased.

Of the burial methods, a memorial grove is usually the most affordable option if a burial in a parish cemetery is being considered, as there are no annual costs for the burial site.

There are different types of memorial groves; in some, relatives can participate in the scattering or burial of the ashes, while in others, the caretaker takes care of the burial or scattering of the ashes without the presence of relatives. In some memorial groves, relatives can order a memorial plaque from the parish with the deceased's information attached, for example, to the wall or pillar of the memorial grove. You can also often make a spouse reservation next to the memorial plaque.

Sea burial

Sea burial is a beautiful, individual way to say goodbye to the deceased. The permission of the owner of the water area is required to scatter the ashes or place the urn in a waterway.

There are designated areas in Helsinki where scattering is permitted without a separate permit, such as the one near Abrahaminluoto in Helsinki. The ashes can be scattered directly into the water or the urn can be lowered into the water.

Funeral Office Havu offers several water-based urns that are suitable for sea cremation.