The funeral service

A funeral service can be held in a church, chapel, or at the graveside. Cemeteries have their own chapels. In Finland, funeral arrangements can take time, so the service is usually held two to three weeks after the death.

To arrange the funeral service, contact the Espoo Service centre of the Lutheran parishes.

They will help you set a date, find a venue, and arrange for a pastor and an organist. They can also assist in choosing a gravesite and offer advice on monument design and tomb maintenance. If you choose cremation, they will help you schedule the interment of ashes. If the funeral for a resident of Espoo is held in Helsinki, Kauniainen, Kirkkonummi, or Vantaa, the Service centre can provide a pastor. For services held farther away, you should ask for a local pastor.

While the funeral follows a set liturgy, each service is personal and reflects the deceased's life. This can be seen in the choice of music and hymns. If the burial takes place right after the service, the coffin is brought to the cemetery in a procession, where a brief ceremony is held as the coffin is lowered into the grave. If cremation is chosen, the coffin remains in the chapel until the guests have left.

The local parish will assign a priest and a cantor for the service. The priest will contact the family beforehand to discuss the service's details. Wishes concerning hymns and other music should be addressed with the cantor.

After the funeral, families often gather for a memorial to share memories and comfort one another. The Espoo parishes offer a variety of venues that can host gatherings of different sizes. These spaces are well-equipped and available free or at a minimal cost for church members.

You can find a helpful Funeral checklist.

Private undertakers can assist with funeral arrangements for a fee. In Finland, however, they do not direct the service itself, as this is the role of church custodians and pastors.