The daughter arranged for her mother’s non -religious funeral – tells her disappointment at the funeral office

Mother would not have wanted a priest for his funeral. However, the funeral office did not offer an alternative to traditional religious expenses, says a year ago that his mother’s funeral organized Marlo Ruisniemi.

After his mother died, Ruisniemi visits the Raisio funeral office. In the early stages of the conversation, he made it known that the mother was not a church. Nonetheless, the assumption was that the priest calls and fits the details.

« Later I realized that my mother wouldn’t have wanted us to sing hymns and pray, » Ruisniemi says.

For all Fortunately, one of Ruisniemi’s relatives knew a person who had previously spoken at a non -religious funeral. It sounded better.

Through the speaker, Ruisniemi also received contact information for the right organist, as the cantor could not call at the congregation if there was no priest.

In the end, the funeral progressed in a rather traditional style, but without hymns and priests.

The event was successful, but Ruisniemi is disappointed with the funeral office. He should be able to guide his loved ones to the right part if he is not wanted by religious elements.

« Today, many are no longer in the church, so another option should be able to offer, » Ruisniemi says.

In Finland It is very common for non -church deceased to be blessed in the ecclesiastical grave. Many relatives first contact the church.

This was the way Tiina Hietanenwhen his father died in 2014. The father had resigned from the church decades earlier. Still, Hietanen’s first idea was to contact the Evangelical Lutheran church in Tampere.

The reception was friendly and helpful, but there were few free days within a sensible time window. When the day had been completed, Hietanen was asked if they wanted a priest or other speaker.

At the same time, it was reported that the priest would have the right to refuse to perform the blessing of the non -religious. It felt like Hietanen suddenly weird.

« I was wondering if this is the love of the neighbor. »

Then It turned out that the priest would not even be available. Hietanen has afterwards wondered if only a priest who was known to be refused.

Some speaker was wanted. Hietanen began to explore the possibility of his non -religious speaker, but rejected the idea soon.

« It felt crazy to look for a stranger to talk about their beloved parent, » Hietanen says.

In the end, it was agreed that Hietanen’s aunt’s spouse would speak briefly at the event. It was definitely the best solution for Hietanen.

Most The non -religion was reflected in the price. The cantor charged one hundred euros and the parish members had to pay for free premises.

The event itself was beautiful, says Hietanen. Dad’s long -time friend played Beatles on the violin, aunt’s man spoke and the cantor played two songs on the organ.

The funeral -looking funeral was praised by loved ones. One relative described them as « good farewell ». Sadness was strongly present, but it felt different when the music was not traditional and the speaker was a close relative.

Although Hietanen himself is a member of the Church, he hopes that at the time of his time, his funeral would follow the same pattern.