Kuolema

Sudden deaths must be reported to the police, who will carry out any necessary investigation into the cause of death. Remember to report any death also to the necessary authorities.

Once a medical examiner has established the cause of death he/she will issue a death certificate. A body cannot be buried without the certificate. A local register office or church will issue a burial permit, once the medical examiner has issued the death certificate.

The Kela website contains a list of things to do in case of a death of relative.

Funeral

Religious communities provide help in the organisation of funerals. You can find out more from your church. Funeral homes offer their services for a charge.

The Finnish Association of Funeral Services (Suomen Hautaustoimistojen Liitto)
Pro-Seremoniat

Grave

The Church owns almost all Finnish graveyards, but one can obtain a grave in a church’s graveyard even if one does not belong to a Church. Ask your local vicar or congregation funeral services for more information. Some places also have graveyards for other major world religions. Atheist organisations maintain several graveyards that are open to everyone. Permission is required for founding a private graveyard or grave for a coffin. Such permission can be sought from the State Provincial Office (lääninhallitus).

Funeral Allowance

Sometimes the deceased is entitled to funeral allowance due to employment. Ask for more advice from the most recent employer. It is possible to apply for financial assistance from the social services office if the deceased was without means to pay for the funeral.

Family Pension

Widows and children can receive a family pension. If a deceased relative has been in salaried employment, the family is entitled to Survivor’s Pension in Accordance with the Pensions Legislation. Families with small incomes can also apply for Kela Family Pension.

Estate Inventory

Estate inventory must be held within three months of the death. A detailed family history must be compiled from the birth of the deceased to his/her death. Extracts from parish registers are also required from the people who have a share in the estate and will therefore inherit due to the death. Inheritance is subject to tax. The estate inventory must be left with the tax office within one month of the reading of the will. More information is available from the websites of the Judicial System (oikeuslaitos) and the Tax Administration (verohallinto).

Links:

Act on Maintaining Cemeteries
Contact Details for Lutheran Congregations
Care of a Dying Patient and Treatment of the Dead in Accordance with the Islamic Faith in Finland