Choosing a coffin: materials, models and prices

Why a coffin is always needed

A coffin is needed whether you choose burial or cremation. The Burial Act requires that the deceased is treated with dignity, and in practice every transport after the first transfer happens in a coffin: to the chapel, church, cemetery or crematorium. The first transfer from a home or care home to the hospital cold room may be done in a transfer bag, but after that the deceased rests in the coffin on their back, and the coffin is carried feet first. In cremation the coffin is cremated together with the deceased, so the coffin is part of the cremation, not a separate extra. At the blessing the coffin is the most present object: flowers are placed on or beside it, and the pastor blesses the deceased with sand at the coffin. That is why the coffin is often one of the first things the family wants to decide, although nothing needs to be decided on the first evening.

Four material families

Our coffin range falls into four families, and samples from each are on show at our office. All coffins are made in Finland. Upholstered coffins are covered in cotton or linen; they are light or muted in colour and suit a soft, simple look. In wooden coffins the grain is visible: pine and birch are lighter, while maple or oak veneer gives a deeper tone. Ecological coffins have a water-based finish and a linen interior. The choice is above all about appearance and what feels true to the deceased; in strength and handling every model suits both the blessing and the transports.

• Cotton-upholstered coffins: light, soft and understated
• Linen-upholstered coffins: natural fibre, muted and warm tone
• Wooden coffins: pine, birch, maple and oak veneer, with the grain visible
• Ecological coffins: water-based finish and linen interior

What affects the price of a coffin

Our coffin prices start from 520 euros, and three things set the price: material, model and details. The Maple coffin costs 520 euros, the Birch coffin 790 euros and the handcrafted solid oak coffin 1,490 euros. An upholstered coffin is usually less expensive than a veneered or solid wood one. Model means the shape of the coffin and the profile of the lid; details mean handles, mouldings and the interior material. Prices include VAT. The coffin is one of the few funeral costs you can influence yourself: parish and crematorium fees are the same whatever the coffin. The total for a funeral is typically between 2,500 and 5,000 euros, and the coffin's share of that is, depending on your choice, from a few hundred to about one and a half thousand euros.

Coffins in our funeral packages

If you choose a funeral package, the coffin is included. The Hillitty package at 1,290 euros includes the Maple coffin, the Classic urn, one transport in the Helsinki region, dressing and casketing, coordination of the ceremony, and the parish and crematorium arrangements. The Klassinen package at 1,790 euros includes the same services with the Birch coffin and adds a coffin spray. The Harmonia package at 2,590 euros includes the Oak coffin, the Design urn and the coffin spray. The package coffin can be swapped for any coffin in our range; the price then changes by the difference between the coffins. Parish and crematorium fees are invoiced unchanged and are not part of the packages. Bought separately, besides the coffin you need transport at 290 euros, dressing and casketing at 180 euros, and office service and documents at 390 euros.

• Hillitty 1,290 euros: Maple coffin and Classic urn
• Klassinen 1,790 euros: Birch coffin, Classic urn and coffin spray
• Harmonia 2,590 euros: Oak coffin, Design urn and coffin spray

Cremation or burial: does it change the coffin

The same coffin serves both cremation and burial, so the form of burial does not narrow the choice. In cremation the coffin is cremated with the deceased; after the blessing the coffin stays in place in the chapel or is carried to the car, and the crematorium handles the rest. In burial the coffin is lowered into the grave at the end of the blessing, and usually six bearers are needed, at least four. If the environment matters to you, an ecological coffin with a water-based finish and linen interior suits both forms; see the guide Funerals that spare the environment. When you tell our funeral advisor which form has been chosen, we say if any detail needs attention, and we handle the contacts with the crematorium or parish for you. Crematorium fees are the same whatever the coffin: 260 euros for a Helsinki resident at the Helsinki parish union crematoria.

Interior, clothing and personal items

The interior is part of the coffin price: upholstered and wooden coffins have a light interior, ecological coffins a linen one. We dress the deceased and place them in the coffin; this costs 180 euros bought separately or is included in the packages. You can bring the deceased's own clothes to our office or hand them over at collection; many choose clothes the person was comfortable in, and formal dress is not needed. If you prefer not to choose, we dress the deceased in restrained clothing. You may wish to place a letter, a photograph or another small item in the coffin. Tell us in advance: we agree together what is possible, because cremation and burial carry restrictions on materials, which we check with the crematorium or the parish. All of this is recorded in the family's shared online space so that every relative sees the same choices.

The coffin at the ceremony: flowers and bearers

A coffin spray is usually placed on the coffin; ordered from us it costs 185 euros, and at our florists a coffin spray is between 150 and 350 euros and a grave sheaf between 80 and 160 euros. Flowers are ordered 2-4 days before the ceremony and delivered straight to the chapel or church. At the blessing the family lays their flowers beside the coffin at the start or the end, or only at the grave. There are usually six bearers, at least four, and the coffin is carried feet first; in the procession the pastor and verger go first with the closest family right behind. If the deceased is cremated, we agree with the parish what happens to the flowers after the blessing. We show the bearers their places and the order before the ceremony, so nobody needs to know the customs in advance.

Samples at the office and deciding calmly

Choosing a coffin is easier when you can see and touch the models. Our office at Annankatu 12 has samples from every material family on show, and our funeral advisor goes through the options at your pace. The planning visit is free, and we also come to your home if needed. If relatives live in different towns, the coffin can also be chosen online: in the family's shared online space everyone sees the same models, prices and schedule, and the choice can be confirmed by phone. Funerals are usually held within 2-4 weeks of the death, so there are a few days to decide on the coffin without the schedule suffering. If the deceased left a funeral testament or recorded wishes in pre-planning, the coffin is often already chosen, and we make sure the wish is honoured.

What you can leave to us

Your part is to choose the coffin that feels right; we handle everything else. We order the coffin, dress the deceased and place them in it, transport the coffin to the chapel, church or crematorium, and agree the practical details of the blessing with the parish. We show the bearers their places, receive the flowers and make sure personal items are agreed with the crematorium or parish. We serve you in Finnish, Swedish and English. The next step is yours to choose: call 09 6129 890 or book a planning visit at Annankatu 12; the visit is free. The office is open weekdays 9-16, we answer the phone around the clock, and there is free courtyard parking with entry from Uudenmaankatu 17. You can also start online and continue by phone when it suits you.

Frequently asked questions