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. Church membership does not affect the price (Burial Act, section 6), but people from outside the area usually pay more.
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. Church membership does not affect the price (Burial Act, section 6), but people from outside the area usually pay more.
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.