Pirkanmaa welfare region introduces storage fee for delayed funerals

The Pirkanmaa welfare region in Finland has begun charging families a fee for storing deceased relatives beyond two weeks, a measure intended to speed up funeral arrangements, Yle reports. Several other welfare regions are now considering similar fees.

The region introduced a €100 base fee for the first two weeks of storage, with an additional €10 charged for each extra day. The move comes as storage facilities face capacity issues, with Pirkanmaa forced to rent extra space in February.

Liisa Niemi, the chief nurse overseeing deceased services, said the fee aims to encourage families to arrange burials within a reasonable timeframe. “The billing is a way to ensure things are handled within two weeks and the deceased are buried with dignity,” she said.

Since January, the region has sent over 700 invoices, with about 500 covering the base fee. Niemi noted that the fee has sparked discussions, with some families contacting authorities to confirm faster burial plans.

Other regions, including Helsinki, have already implemented similar charges. Helsinki introduced its fee in May 2023, charging €10 per day after three weeks of storage. However, Laura Pikkarainen, chief physician at Helsinki’s hospital district, said the fee has not significantly shortened storage times.

Several other welfare regions, such as North and South Karelia, have also adopted or are planning storage fees. The Pirkanmaa region has received inquiries from other areas about the practicalities of implementation.

Niemi said the upcoming Easter period, when demand for burial slots typically rises, will provide insight into whether the fee has had the intended effect.