Applying for a Burial Permit
· 2 min read
What is a burial permit
A burial permit is an official permit required before a deceased person may be buried or cremated in Finland. Under Section 12 of the Burial Act (457/2003), a deceased person may not be buried until a burial permit has been issued. The permit confirms that the cause of death has been investigated and that there are no obstacles to burial. The burial permit is an essential part of the death registration process and falls within the physician's area of responsibility.
Who issues a burial permit
The burial permit is issued by the physician who drew up the death certificate. In ordinary cases, the attending physician writes the death certificate and issues the burial permit at the same time. In forensic cases, the permit is issued by a forensic pathologist at the initiative of the police. The investigation of the cause of death is based on the Act on the Investigation of the Cause of Death (459/1973). The permit is transmitted electronically to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), which registers the death in the population information system.
Required documents
Obtaining a burial permit requires a death certificate, which is drawn up by a physician. The next of kin do not need to submit separate documents to obtain the burial permit; the process starts automatically once death has been confirmed. The funeral home usually handles the practical arrangements and receives the burial permit on behalf of the family. The burial permit is delivered to the cemetery or crematorium before the burial or cremation.
Application timeline
In ordinary cases, the burial permit is obtained within 1--3 days of death. A forensic investigation can extend the waiting period by several weeks. Under Section 16 of the Burial Act, burial or cremation must be carried out within a reasonable time. In practice, the funeral home coordinates the schedule and ensures that the permit has been obtained before the date of the ceremony and burial.
Special circumstances
In the event of a death abroad, obtaining a burial permit requires an international death certificate, which is validated in Finland through DVV. In cases of suspected crime, the police decide whether an autopsy is necessary, and the burial permit is not issued until the investigation has concluded. Exceptional conditions, such as the coronavirus pandemic, have at times affected the timelines of these processes. The funeral home assists the next of kin in all special circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues a burial permit in Finland?
In Finland, the burial permit is issued by the physician who wrote the death certificate. Once the cause of death has been established and the death certificate completed, the doctor issues the burial permit at the same time. In cases requiring a forensic cause-of-death investigation, the burial permit is issued by a forensic pathologist at the request of the police. The burial permit confirms that there are no obstacles to burial. In practice, the next of kin receive the permit through the funeral home or directly from the healthcare facility.
How long does it take to receive a burial permit?
In ordinary cases, the burial permit is usually obtained within a few days of death. The physician draws up the death certificate and issues the burial permit simultaneously. If the cause of death requires a forensic investigation, the process can take several weeks. The police decide whether a forensic investigation is necessary, which delays the release of the body and the burial permit. The funeral home monitors the process on behalf of the family and notifies them once the permit has been obtained.
Is a burial permit required for cremation?
Yes, a burial permit is always required before burial or cremation. Under the Burial Act (457/2003), a deceased person may not be buried or cremated without the proper permit. The crematorium requires a burial permit before carrying out the cremation. The burial permit is the same document regardless of whether the funeral involves a traditional burial or cremation. The permit must be delivered to the crematorium or cemetery before the procedure.
What happens if the cause of death is unclear?
In unclear cases, the police order a forensic cause-of-death investigation. The body is transferred for a forensic autopsy, and the issuance of the burial permit is delayed for the duration of the investigation. The investigation of the cause of death is regulated by the Act on the Investigation of the Cause of Death (459/1973). The next of kin cannot refuse a forensic investigation. The funeral home keeps the family informed about the progress of the process.
Can a burial permit be applied for electronically?
The burial permit is not actually applied for separately; it is issued in connection with the death certificate. The death certificate and the associated burial permit are prepared electronically in healthcare information systems. The data is transferred electronically to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). The next of kin usually receive the burial permit through the funeral home or directly from the care facility. Electronic data transfer has significantly sped up the process.
Read also
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