Oulu church council approves thermal energy use from cremations for chapel heating

The Oulu Joint Church Council approved a principle decision on Thursday to utilize thermal energy generated from cremations for building heating. The Intiö Chapel is undergoing renovations, during which heating pipes can be installed. The heat produced from the cremation process can be used to warm the chapel and nearby storage buildings.

The Church Council cites environmental and financial reasons for this initiative, estimating annual savings of approximately 13,500 euros for the chapel and about 5,000 euros for the associated storage area in district heating costs. According to the Council’s announcement, similar systems are already in place in cities such as Vatiala, Tampere, Kokkola, Rauma, Kuopio, and Pori.

The Intiö Chapel, which began operations in 1973 at the Oulu Cemetery, is slated for completion of its renovations by the fall of 2025, following the planned timeline.