Planning a Funeral – Complete Step-by-Step Checklist | Muistovalkea
· 6 min
This checklist covers every stage of funeral planning, from the moment of death to the estate inventory – use it as a hands-on checklist.
- First 24 hours: death certificate, funeral home, notify loved ones
- First week: service, burial plot, obituary, flowers, memorial reception
- After the funeral: estate inventory, bank matters, insurance, property
Everything in one place
When a loved one dies, you face dozens of practical tasks – at a time when your thinking is foggy and your energy is drained. This checklist brings together every stage of funeral planning in one place. You can use it as a hands-on checklist.
Phase 1: The first hours (0–24 h)
Immediate steps
- Death certificate: A doctor confirms the death (automatic in hospital; at home, call 112)
- Closest family members: Notify spouse, children, parents, siblings
- Funeral home: Get in touch – they will collect the deceased and guide you through everything
- Keys and valuables: Collect the deceased's personal belongings (the hospital will hand them over)
No need to act yet
You don't need to make any final decisions on the first day. The funeral home will store the deceased. You can sleep on it and start making arrangements the next day.
Read the detailed guide: A loved one has died – what do I do?
Phase 2: The first days (1–3 days)
Decisions
- Burial method: Cremation or coffin burial?
- Ceremony: Church service, secular funeral, or another option?
- Burial plot: Choosing a burial plot – existing family plot or a new one?
- Timing: When will the funeral be held? (Typically within 2–4 weeks)
With the funeral home
- Coffin selection: Material, style, price
- Clothing: What the deceased will wear (own clothes or provided by the funeral home)
- Transportation: The funeral home handles this
- Agreeing on services: What the funeral home handles, what you handle yourself
Parish / ceremony officiant
- Contact the parish: Arrange the service
- Minister / officiant: Any preferences? Or assigned by the parish?
- Church / chapel: Where will the service be held?
- Music: Hymns, soloists, organist
Phase 3: The first week (3–7 days)
Notifications
- Obituary: Newspaper notice (the funeral home can help)
- Invitations: Who to invite to the funeral? (Phone, message, email)
- Employer: Notify both the deceased's and your own employer
- Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland): Notification of death (to stop benefits)
- Bank: Notification of death (account will be frozen)
Funeral arrangements
- Flowers and arrangements: Order from a florist
- Memorial reception: Venue, catering, programme
- Funeral speech: Who will speak? Preparation.
- Memorial table: Photos, candles, personal items
- Transport to the cemetery: Who will drive the family?
Finances
- Funeral costs: Set a budget
- Funeral grant: Apply if needed
- Insurance: Check the deceased's life insurance
Phase 4: Before the funeral (1–3 weeks)
Finalising
- Programme confirmed: Music, speeches, hymns
- Memorial reception confirmed: Venue, catering, helpers
- Guest count estimated: Is the venue large enough?
- Floral arrangements ordered: Text for the card
- Deceased's clothes delivered: To the funeral home
- Your own clothes: What to wear to a funeral
Special considerations
- Children: Preparation and support
- Elderly guests: Accessibility, transport, seating
- Dietary requirements: Memorial reception catering
- Weather: Contingency plan (especially for summer funerals)
Phase 5: The day of the funeral
In the morning
- Flowers and decorations: Deliver to the church/chapel and memorial reception venue
- Memorial table: Photos, candles
- Taking care of yourself: Eat breakfast, get dressed in good time
- Helpers on site: Who greets guests, who manages catering
The service
- The minister / officiant leads the ceremony
- Music: hymns, soloist
- Memorial speeches
- Moment of silence
- Procession to the cemetery (if coffin burial)
The memorial reception
- Welcome words
- Coffee and refreshments
- Memorial speeches, sharing memories
- Informal gathering
- Words of thanks
Phase 6: After the funeral (1–3 months)
Administrative matters
- Estate inventory: Within 3 months of the death (an extension can be requested)
- Bank matters: Settling accounts, paying bills
- Insurance: Cancellation or change of beneficiaries
- Lease / home: Termination or ownership review
- Phone subscription: Cancellation or transfer
- Electricity, water, internet: Transfer or cancel contracts
- Car: Registration, insurance
- Kela benefits: Survivor's pension, child's pension – apply
- Tax authority: Estate tax return
- Digital legacy: Social media, emails, accounts
Finances
- Inheritance tax: Declaration and payment
- Division of assets: Heirs agree on distribution
- Property sales: If the home is to be sold
- Debts: Settlement (debts are not inherited, but are paid from the estate's assets)
Headstone
- Order: A headstone is typically ordered 3–12 months after the death
- Inscription and design: Take your time
- Installation: The stone mason handles this
Phase 7: Long-term matters
Remembrance
- All Saints' Day: A candle on the grave
- First anniversary: Remembrance
- Grave maintenance: Parish maintenance service or do it yourself
- Preserving memories: Photos, letters, personal items
Your own wellbeing
- Grief: Give yourself time and space
- Seeking professional help: If grief becomes prolonged or paralysing
- Grief support group: Peer support
- Work: Return at your own pace
Where to get help
| Organisation | How they help |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | All practical arrangements from the death to the funeral |
| Parish | Service, pastoral care, grief support groups |
| Bank | Estate accounts, loans |
| Kela (Social Insurance Institution) | Funeral grant, survivor's pension, child's pension |
| Tax authority | Inheritance taxation, estate taxes |
| Lawyer | Estate inventory, division of inheritance, disputes |
| MIELI ry (Finnish Association for Mental Health) | Crisis helpline 09 2525 0111, grief support groups |
Printing the checklist
This checklist is designed to be used as an active checklist. Bookmark this page or print it out.
Remember: You are not alone. The funeral home will help with all the practicalities. Your role is to decide – the funeral home's role is to carry it out.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do first?
Call 112 (if a home death), notify family members, and contact a funeral home. You don't need to make any final decisions on the first day.
How soon must the funeral be arranged?
Typically within 2–4 weeks. By law, within one month, but an extension can be requested.
How much does a funeral cost?
On average €5,000–10,000. Costs can be reduced significantly.
What needs to be done after the funeral?
Estate inventory (3 months), bank matters, insurance, lease agreements, and Kela benefits.
Where can you get help?
The funeral home, the parish, the bank, Kela, a lawyer, and MIELI ry's crisis helpline.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What should you do first when a loved one dies?
1) If the death occurred at home, call 112 (the Finnish emergency number). A doctor will confirm the death and issue a death certificate. 2) Notify the closest family members. 3) Contact a funeral home – they will guide you through everything. 4) You don't need to make any final decisions on the first day. The funeral home will keep the deceased in cold storage until arrangements are made.
How soon must a funeral be arranged?
In Finland, funerals are typically held within 2–4 weeks of the death. By law, the burial must take place within one month, though exceptions can be granted. The funeral home will help plan the timeline. There's no need to rush – it's more important that the arrangements are properly in place.
What does a funeral home take care of?
A funeral home typically handles: collecting and storing the deceased, coffin selection, service arrangements (church, music), burial plot logistics, publishing the obituary, transportation, floral arrangements, and assistance with the memorial reception. The family is responsible for: decisions (cremation/burial, church, programme), invitations, memorial reception catering, and financial matters.
How much does a funeral cost?
The average funeral cost in Finland is €5,000–10,000. Breakdown: funeral home €2,000–4,000, burial plot €200–800, headstone €1,000–5,000, service €200–500, memorial reception €500–2,000, flowers and obituary €200–500. Costs can be reduced significantly. For a more detailed breakdown, see our article on total funeral costs.
What needs to be done after the funeral?
After the funeral: estate inventory (within 3 months of death), sorting out bank accounts, cancelling insurance policies, dividing property, selling or terminating the lease on the home, notifying authorities (Kela, the tax authority, DVV), and potentially filing an inheritance tax return.