Casket Burial
In Finland, casket burial has maintained its position as a traditional and respected burial method, even though the popularity of cremation has grown significantly in recent decades. In a casket burial, the deceased is dressed and placed in a casket, after which the casket is lowered into the grave during a blessing or memorial ceremony.
Steps in the Process
Casket burial typically proceeds as follows: after death, the deceased is transferred to cold storage, the family selects a casket and reserves a grave plot. Before burial, a burial permit is required, which is issued by a doctor based on the cause-of-death investigation. According to the Burial Act, burial must be carried out without undue delay, typically within 2–3 weeks of death in practice.
The blessing ceremony is held in a church or chapel, after which the casket is lowered into the grave. The grave is typically dug to a depth of 1.5–2 metres depending on the soil conditions and cemetery regulations.
Costs and Casket Selection
The total cost of a casket burial is generally 3,000–6,000 euros. The largest cost items are the casket (300–3,000 €), grave plot fee (200–1,500 €), transportation, ceremony fees, and a possible headstone. Parish members typically receive a more affordable grave plot.
There are no strict legal restrictions on casket selection, but cemeteries generally require a biodegradable casket. Options include pine, birch, and oak caskets as well as ecological cardboard caskets.
Comparison with Cremation
Casket burial is overall more expensive than cremation, as it requires a larger grave plot and a more expensive casket. With cremation, the crematorium fee is only 200–500 euros, and an urn grave plot is smaller. On the other hand, casket burial offers the family a tangible grave site that can be maintained and visited.
Legislation
Casket burial is regulated by the Burial Act (457/2003), which defines matters such as cemetery maintenance, burial rights, and the requirements for burial. Read more about burial practices in our casket burial guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a casket burial cost in Finland?
The total cost of a casket burial is typically 3,000–6,000 euros. The price is influenced by the choice of casket (300–3,000 €), grave plot fee (200–1,500 €), transportation costs, and ceremony fees. Parish members usually receive a lower grave plot fee.
How does casket burial differ from cremation?
In casket burial, the deceased is buried in a casket in the ground, whereas in cremation the body is cremated at a crematorium and the ashes are placed in an urn, memorial grove, or scattered elsewhere. Casket burial requires a larger grave plot and is generally more expensive. Cremation now accounts for over 50% of all burials in Finland.
What kind of casket can you choose?
The casket can be freely chosen. Options include wooden caskets in various wood types, ecological cardboard caskets, and hand-painted caskets. Cemeteries may require a biodegradable casket. Prices range from 300 to 3,000 euros.
Related terms
A burial method where the deceased is cremated in a crematorium furnace. Ashes are placed in an urn grave, memorial grove, or scattered.
A post-cremation burial method where the urn containing ashes is placed in a grave or columbarium niche.
The right to use a specific grave plot at a cemetery. The lease period is typically 15–25 years.
A facility where cremation of the deceased is carried out. Finland has approximately 20 crematoria.
Read also
Casket burial in Finland: process, casket selection, reserving a burial plot, and costs. A comprehensive guide to casket burial practices.
Guide to natural burial grounds: what they are, how they differ from traditional cemeteries, availability in Finland and international examples.
Guide to body donation to science: how the process works in Finland, university requirements, family considerations and remembrance.