Koivisto’s state funeral likely on Ascension Day

The government on Monday planed to hold the state funeral of late former President Mauno Koivisto on Ascension Day, 25 May, in Helsinki, said a government press release.

The arrangements for the state funeral will be decided at the government plenary session on Wednesday.

In its plenary session the government will form a committee headed by Foreign Minister Timo Soini to plan and organise the funeral.

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.

A book of condolence for Koivisto will be opened at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday at 10 am. Indi-viduals 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 Sauli Niinistö.

Access to the Presidential Palace for the purpose of signing the book of condolence will be via the Mariankatu entrance from 10 am to 3 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and Friday while from 10 am to 6 pm on Thursday.

Condolences may also be expressed online at koivisto.presidentti.fi. This website will be available from 10 am on Tuesday 16 May until 3 pm on Friday 19 May.