Preparations under way for state funeral of former President of the Republic Mauno Koivisto
The arrangements for the state funeral of former President of the Republic of Finland Mauno Koivisto will be decided at the Government plenary session to be held at 10.30 on Wednesday 17 May. The plenary session will begin with the Government observing a minute's silence in memory of Mauno Koivisto.
During the session the Government will also set up a committee to make preparations for the state funeral. The committee, to be chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, will convene the same day.
A book of condolence for Mauno Koivisto will be opened at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday 16 May, at 10.00. Individuals or organisations may record their condolences in the book until Friday 19 May. The first entry in the book of condolence will be made by the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.
Access to the Presidential Palace for the purpose of signing the book of condolence will be via the Mariankatu entrance at the following times: Tuesday 16 May 10.00–15.00, Wednesday 17 May 10.00–15.00, Thursday 18 May 10.00–18.00 and Friday 19 May 10.00–15.00. The address is Mariankatu 2 (glass doors).
Condolences may also be expressed online at koivisto.presidentti.fi. This website will be available from 10.00 on Tuesday 16 May until 15.00 on Friday 19 May.
The Prime Minister's Office is responsible for arranging the state funeral. The preparations will respect the wishes of the family and will be made in close cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and numerous other parties.
Inquiries: Paula Lehtomäki, State Secretary, tel. +358 295 160 280, Timo Lankinen, Permanent State Under-Secretary, tel. +358 295 160 300 (general matters concerning the state funeral), and Päivi Paasikoski, Head of Communications, tel. +358 40 547 6279, Prime Minister's Office.
Press release of the Office of the President of the Republic concerning the book of condolence, 15 May 2017
State funeral