Cemetery
The Honkanummi cemetery is the largest cemetery in Finland by area. The area covers approximately 76 hectares. Such a large cemetery can accommodate a wide range of unique areas.
In addition to coffin and urn graves, there are several memorial groves and scattering areas in the cemetery area. The park area in front of the cemetery chapel with its fountains is intended to serve as a retreat place for the deceased’s family members. Between blocks 29 and 30 is located the Memorial for Past Generations for the remembrance of family members and next of kin buried elsewhere.
There are two chapels in the cemetery area, along with a crematorium, office, flower shop and lunch restaurant.
Forest grave block
Among the newest areas of the Honkanummi cemetery is forest grave block 33. The area accommodates family urn graves, a scattering area, and a memorial grove. The landscape of the block is dominated by large boulders that are illuminated during dark hours.
Children’s memorial grove
The ashes or urn of a deceased child can be interned in children’s memorial grove 40X. In connection with the burial, the family members may purchase a metal memorial plaque that will be procured and attached to the natural stones on the edge of the block by the cemetery.
The memorial ‘For the child we never had’ in the block honours the grief of those who are involuntarily childless.
Non-denominational area
In 2007, a non-denominational area was inaugurated in the northwest corner of the cemetery, with a separate entrance from Vanha Porvoontie. Block 79H is reserved for the deceased who lived in Helsinki and block 79V for those who lived in Vantaa. In addition, the blocks also accommodate memorial grove 79X and scattering area 79S.
Grave area for the deceased of the Islamic faith
The graves in blocks 76 and 77 are reserved for the deceased of the Islamic faith who lived Helsinki. The graves have been built in such a way that the deceased will be buried with their face precisely towards the Mecca.
For further information about the burial of Muslims, click here
Scattering areas
The Honkanummi cemetery has scattering areas in the non-denominational area, in the forest grave area, and in block 61S.
A sculpture is placed in the middle of the scattering area in block 61S, and the area is surrounded by a rocky creek. The deceased’s family members can choose a stone from the creek and have the deceased’s particulars engraved on it if they so wish. It is only possible to use the block during the season when the soil is not frozen. The family members may not be present when the ashes are scattered.
German military cemetery
Located next to the Honkanummi cemetery, on the east side of the Lahdentie road, is the German military cemetery, where the bodies of the German soldiers who died during the wars have been moved. Six soldiers from the First World War and 364 from the Second World War have been buried in the forest-like cemetery.
The German military cemetery orders area maintenance services from the Honkanummi cemetery.
