Arrangements in progress for state funeral of former President of the Republic Martti Ahtisaari

New details have been confirmed regarding the state funeral of former President of the Republic of Finland Martti Ahtisaari on Friday 10 November. The funeral service for former president Ahtisaari will be conducted by Bishop Emeritus Eero Huovinen.

Guests will be invited to the state funeral in accordance with state protocol and the wishes of Ahtisaari’s family.

The public will also have the opportunity to attend the service. Entrance to the Cathedral will take place from the Senate Square side of the building starting at 11.30. Guests are asked to arrive so as to be seated by 12.15 at the latest. Please note that seating is limited in the Cathedral. Members of the public are requested to leave large belongings at home and be prepared for a security check.

Members of the public are also welcome to watch the funeral cortege, which will be led by the mounted police and will proceed from Helsinki Cathedral to Hietaniemi Cemetery. The exact route and schedule of the cortege will be announced later.

After the burial, a memorial ceremony for former president Ahtisaari will be held for invited guests in the Government Banquet Hall.

The Government appointed a committee to plan and arrange the state funeral of former president Ahtisaari on Wednesday 18 October. More information on the funeral arrangements will be provided as the committee’s work progresses.

Former president Martti Ahtisaari passed away on Monday 16 October in Helsinki. He was 86 years old. Ahtisaari was President of the Republic of Finland from 1994 to 2000.

Inquiries: Tiina-Kaisa Laakso-Liukkonen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 29 516 0220 and Aapo Riihimäki, Senior Communications Specialist, tel. +358 50 471 3020, Prime Minister’s Office