Funeral guide to support funeral arrangements in Vaasa

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We have put together a concise funeral guide to help with situations where funeral arrangements are topical. Death often confuses the daily lives of loved ones, and funeral arrangements can prove challenging, especially in an unexpected situation.

Our professional staff will support you. Take a look at the instructions below for what to consider with funerals and burials. We will be happy to provide more information on the details of the processes. If you wish, we will take care of the funeral and burial arrangements in their entirety.

What to do first when a loved one sleeps away?

If a loved one passes away, for example, in a hospital or care facility, the staff will make practical arrangements. They transmit information about their patient's death to the Population Register Centre's information system. Through this, Kela and pension institutions, for example, also receive information about the death. Be sure to ask the hospital for one death certificate for loved ones as well.


If the death is unexpected and occurs outside the hospital, it is a good idea to contact the police. The police will investigate the cause of death if necessary.


Families communicate information about the death of a loved one traditionally through a mourning flag. The flag is usually flown half-staff either on the day of the death or the day after at the deceased’s home and workplace. This will be repeated at home on the same day the memorial service is held. The flag is also flown half-staff at the venue of the memorial service.

What paperwork is involved?

Applying for a death certificate from a hospital is important to take care of many matters of the deceased. The death must be reported, for example, to the deceased's workplace, bank, insurance company and housing association. Remember to terminate various commitments and memberships.


For funeral arrangements, you need a funeral permit. Usually, a funeral permit is requested from the hospital by the funeral home of your choice while picking up the deceased. A burial permit must be presented either at the cemetery or at the crematorium, depending on whether a coffin or cremation has been chosen for the deceased. The funeral home takes care of all preparations for burial and cremation according to the instructions and wishes of the close ones.


Many families want to publish an obituary, for example in a local newspaper. Informing everyone about the will and taking care of the estate inventory also require attention.

What to consider when organising a funeral and memorial service?

There is no set deadline for the funeral. You can take your time to plan the details of the event, decide on a date and invite relatives and friends. Usually, the funeral is held about two or three weeks after the death.


Funerals usually include obsequies followed by a memorial service. Find out if the deceased himself or herself had a funeral will or otherwise expressed wishes about the details of the funeral arrangements. The most important thing is to know whether the deceased wanted a traditional coffin or cremation. The deceased may also have had wishes for, for example, the number of funeral guests, funeral music or a tombstone.


A knowledgeable funeral home will help you figure out the entirety of matters to decide on and the funeral costs.