Death notice

The tradition of death notices

The death notice is a Finnish tradition for announcing a person's death in a newspaper or online. The tradition dates back to the 1800s, when newspapers began publishing death announcements. A death notice serves several purposes: it informs the wider circle of acquaintances about the death, provides information about funeral arrangements and serves as a public mark of respect for the deceased.

In Finland, death notices are traditionally published in the region's largest newspaper. Helsingin Sanomat, Aamulehti, Turun Sanomat and other regional main newspapers are typical publication channels. Local newspapers are also popular, especially in smaller localities where newspaper readers know the deceased personally.

Content and format of the notice

A death notice follows an established format. At the top of the notice is usually a cross or other symbol (e.g. a leaf in a non-denominational notice). The deceased's name is written in full, and for women the maiden name is often mentioned in brackets. Dates of birth and death are given either as full dates or years. Those placing the notice are listed by family relationship: spouse, children, grandchildren and other close family members.

The time and place of the funeral service and memorial service are announced if the services are open. If the funeral is private, "the burial has been carried out" or "funeral service for close family" is mentioned. The notice may include a memorial donation wish, in which the family requests donations to a named charity instead of condolence addresses or floral arrangements.

Digital death notices

In the 2020s, the publication of death notices has increasingly moved online. Newspaper websites publish death notices alongside the print edition, and dedicated memorial services offer digital death notices and memorial pages. In digital services, photographs, memories and candles can be added to the notice, and loved ones can write condolence messages directly on the page.

Social media has changed how deaths are communicated. Some families publish a death notice on Facebook or another platform instead of, or in addition to, a newspaper notice. The advantage of digital channels is reach and speed – the information reaches loved ones regardless of geographical location. The traditional newspaper notice, however, retains its position, particularly among older generations.

Preparing a death notice

The funeral home assists with preparing a death notice, as it knows the local newspapers' practices and pricing. Family members can also prepare the notice themselves and submit it directly to the newspaper. The notice should usually be published before the funeral service so that those wishing to attend can prepare. In urgent cases, newspapers can publish a notice at short notice for an additional fee. A memorial notice can be published later, for example on an anniversary, as a separate thank-you memorial.