Call +380 77 882 77 77Inquire about an urn
In 30 seconds.
- A body is cremated once a doctor determines the cause of death and issues a burial permit (hautauslupa). This permit is given to the crematorium.
- If the deceased did not name a person to handle the funeral, the arrangements are made by the spouse or cohabiting partner and the closest heirs.
- Ashes are released only for burial or permanent placement in a single location. The recipient must notify the crematorium in writing about where the ashes will be taken.
- The ashes must be buried within one year after cremation.
- Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €, with no upfront payment.
Oleg Zdendiak, ownerpersonally responsible for every case 5,0 129 reviews on Google
Translated from Ukrainian “You were always available, whatever the time…” — Віта Х. “Everything was organised with great dignity, professionally and with attention to every detail.” — Тамара Ю. “Every question was resolved promptly, with respect and attention to detail.” — Olha B. “…your support, compassion, sense of responsibility and professionalism meant a great deal to us.” — Ірина Б. “It all went quickly and professionally…” — Оля К. Who Gives Consent for Cremation in Finland
First, the wishes of the deceased are respected. If the person explicitly named someone during their lifetime to handle their funeral and cremation, that person makes the decisions.
If there are no such instructions, the funeral is arranged by the spouse or a person who lived with the deceased in a common household in a marriage-like relationship, together with the closest heirs. If none of them takes on the responsibility, another close person may do so. If there is no one, the municipality arranges the funeral.
If relatives cannot agree on the method or place of burial, the dispute is settled by the district court (käräjäoikeus) in the municipality where the deceased lived. For a family abroad, this is a lengthy process, so it is best to reach an agreement among yourselves in advance.
If the Family Is in Ukraine
You do not have to travel to Finland. The doctor issues the burial permit to the person who stated they are arranging the funeral or cremation, or to a company authorized by that person. You sign a power of attorney, and our partners in Finland coordinate with the funeral home and the crematorium. We clarify whether the power of attorney needs to be translated into Finnish or Swedish before we begin.
Permits and Documents for Cremation
The law does not require a separate municipal permit for cremation. Only one key document is needed.
Burial permit (hautauslupa, lupa hautaamiseen). A doctor issues this after determining the cause of death. Along with it, the doctor draws up a medical death certificate (kuolintodistus). Both documents are issued free of charge. Cremation can take place once the burial permit has been handed over to the crematorium.
If the death is under police investigation or requires a forensic autopsy, the permit is issued later. If obtaining a permit from a doctor involves undue difficulty, the police can issue a corresponding death investigation report (kuolinselvitys).
An official certificate of death for use abroad is ordered from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto, DVV). If the document needs an apostille, it must be requested at the same time as the certificate.
Another condition applies to the ashes. Before they are released, the recipient must notify the crematorium in writing of where the ashes will be buried or placed. The crematorium may refuse to release them if there are reasonable grounds to believe the ashes will be handled unlawfully. Such a decision can be appealed.
How Long Is the Wait for Cremation
The law does not set a minimum waiting period between death and cremation. Everything depends on when the burial permit is issued. When the cause of death is clear, the doctor issues it quickly. When an autopsy is required, it takes longer.
Next is the crematorium schedule. The date is provided by the crematorium or the funeral home. Weekends and public holidays also add days.
Important for families living far away: the ashes must be buried or permanently placed within one year of cremation. If relatives do not do this even after a reminder, the ashes will be buried at the expense of the estate in the cemetery where the deceased had the right to be buried.
How Much Cremation Costs in Finland
Prices are set by each parish union. For example, here is the price list for Turku and Kaarina (Turun ja Kaarinan seurakuntayhtymä) effective August 2026:
| Who | Cremation (tuhkaus) |
|---|---|
| Residents of Turku and Kaarina | 350 € |
| Residents of other municipalities (ulkopaikkakuntalaiset) | 440 € |
Source: Price list of the Turku and Kaarina Parish Union, from 8/2026
Other cities have their own prices. As the Turku example shows, residents of other municipalities may pay more. The funeral home services, coffin, urn, and transport of the body to the crematorium are paid separately.
If we arrange the cremation through our local partners, we calculate the total cremation cost based on your specific situation. If the urn is already prepared, we simply collect it.
Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €. We work without upfront payment: you pay under the contract after the urn is handed over. Details are available on the urn transport page.
The Urn for Transport
The urn is usually chosen at the funeral home. For travel, a sturdy metal or wooden urn is best, avoiding glass or thin ceramics. The crematorium keeps a register recording the deceased's name, the date of cremation, and the destination of the ashes. Therefore, the details on the urn and in the documents must match.
If transported by plane, the urn is usually taken in carry-on luggage by prior arrangement with the airline. At security, it is screened by X-ray. Each airline sets its own rules, so we check with the carrier in advance.
How to Take an Urn from Finland to Ukraine
We found no requirement for a separate state export permit for ashes in the Funerals Act (Hautaustoimilaki). The main legal requirement for releasing the ashes is to notify the crematorium in writing of where the ashes will be buried. In our case, this is a cemetery in Ukraine. Therefore, you should make arrangements with the cemetery first, and then collect the urn.
The urn must be accompanied by:
- a certificate of death (todistus kuolemasta), preferably with an apostille;
- the crematorium's certificate of cremation;
- a Ukrainian translation.
Finland and Ukraine are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. We verify the final list of documents with the Embassy of Ukraine in Finland. The full list is on the documents page.
Transport can be done by plane or overland, taking a ferry across the Baltic Sea. When transported overland, the urn remains under constant supervision. Read more about crossing the border in our article on customs clearance for an urn.
Can You Transport the Urn Yourself
Yes. The ashes are released to the recipient who has stated in writing where they will be buried. A relative can collect the urn and travel with it themselves.
Where problems usually arise: the statement of the burial place is not coordinated with a cemetery in Ukraine; the death certificate was ordered without an apostille, and it cannot be added to an already issued document later; or the urn was not approved by the airline. If you are short on time or cannot travel to Finland, it is better to entrust this to us.
Cremation vs. Body Transport
| Urn with ashes | Body in a coffin | |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | certificate of death, cremation certificate, translation | certificate of death, body transit permit, translations |
| Transport | passenger car, ferry, or plane | specialized hearse, hermetically sealed coffin |
| Timeframe | a few days after cremation | depends on documents and transport |
| Price | from 800 € | see the country page |
If the family wishes to bury the body, read about transporting a body from Finland.
Burying the Urn in Ukraine
An urn can be buried in a separate grave, placed in a columbarium, or interred in an existing family grave. You will need the cemetery's consent and the documents we bring with the urn. For the Finnish crematorium, the cemetery's consent is necessary even before the ashes are released. Read more in our article on urn burial.
Timeframes: From the First Call to Urn Burial
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, power of attorney, consent from a cemetery in Ukraine | 1–5 days |
| Burial permit from the doctor | from a few days, longer if an autopsy is needed |
| Cremation | 1–2 weeks, depending on the crematorium queue |
| DVV certificate with apostille, translation | 1–2 weeks, done in parallel |
| Transporting the urn to Ukraine | 2–4 days |
| Urn burial | as agreed with the cemetery |
These timeframes are approximate. They depend on doctors, the police, and the crematorium's schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Ukrainian citizen be cremated in Finland?
Yes. The law makes no distinction based on citizenship. A burial permit issued by a doctor and handed over to the crematorium is required.
Who decides on cremation?
The person named by the deceased. If no one was named, the spouse or cohabiting partner and the closest heirs decide. Any disputes are settled by the district court.
How much does cremation cost in Finland?
For example, in Turku it costs 350 € for local residents and 440 € for residents of other municipalities. Transporting the urn to Ukraine costs from 800 €.
Will the crematorium release the ashes to be taken abroad?
Yes, provided you notify the crematorium in writing that the ashes will be buried at a specific cemetery in Ukraine. The law prohibits releasing ashes without a designated final resting place.
How long can the ashes be kept before burial?
The law requires the ashes to be buried or permanently placed within one year after cremation.
Is an apostille needed on the death certificate?
Finland and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Convention. An apostille for a DVV certificate must be ordered right away, because it cannot be added to an already issued document later.
What to Do Now
- Find out if the doctor has issued the burial permit and where the body is currently located.
- Decide within the family who is arranging the funeral and prepare a power of attorney.
- Make arrangements with a cemetery in Ukraine: the Finnish crematorium will need its address.
- Call us. We will arrange the cremation through our partners or collect the prepared urn and bring it home.
We are available 24/7, including on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
We will help you find out who can pay
Leave your number. We will call you back and tell you what to check about payment.