Hyvinkää crematorium failure sends hundreds of cremations elsewhere

Rauhannummi crematorium in Hyvinkää has been closed because of several technical problems, potentially forcing hundreds of cremations to take place elsewhere, Yle reports.

The crematorium, owned by Hyvinkää Parish, was shut down last Monday. Problems have been found in the building services, smoke duct, main combustion chamber and electronic components, according to Markku Husso, head of funeral services at the parish.

The repair bill is expected to exceed 200,000 euros, although no precise estimate is available. The crematorium is expected to remain closed for several months, but the exact duration has not yet been determined.

Funeral homes are arranging cremations at nearby facilities in consultation with families. The alternatives include Hietaniemi crematorium in Helsinki, Honkanummi crematorium in Vantaa and Vuorentaka crematorium in Hämeenlinna.

Rauhannummi normally cremates about 1,700 bodies a year.

Hämeenlinna crematorium is operating again

Vuorentaka crematorium in Hämeenlinna was closed for almost two months during the summer for maintenance and repairs. Cremations resumed there in August.

With the facility now operating, it can also accept cremations from outside the area. Some cremations that would normally have taken place in Hyvinkää have already been redirected to Hämeenlinna, said Eerik Topi, cemetery foreman at the Hämeenlinna Parish Union.

However, bodies from the local parish union take priority. Vuorentaka crematorium handles 10 to 12 cremations a day on five weekdays each week.

Rauhannummi crematorium opened in 1974. Major repairs to its furnace are carried out regularly every five to 10 years, in addition to broader annual maintenance.