For All Saints’ Day, the Gardens of Memories will be lit by the glow of candles, carrying longing, memories, and the presence of loved ones. The event will take place at Hietaniemi, Honkanummi, Malmi, Kulosaari, and Östersundom Cemeteries, as well as the Maunula Memorial Grove. Below you will find the detailed programme for each location.

During the event, pastors, children's workers, other parish staff members, and volunteers will be available at the cemeteries if you would like to talk with someone. Children can enjoy an interactive Angel Trail at several cemeteries. Please bring your own flashlight, grave candle, and matches. Dress warmly and according to the weather.

During the All Saints’ Day weekend, the gates of Helsinki’s cemeteries will remain open around the clock from Thursday, 30 October at 7am until Sunday, 1 November at 10pm.

Admission is free. A warm welcome to all!

Hietaniemi Cemetery

1pm Finnish-language devotional service in the New Chapel. Pastor Markus Lehtimäki.

4-7pm Hot juice and opportunities to chat. Enjoy a warm drink outside either the Old Chapel or the New Chapel. Parish staff will be available for conversation.

4-7pm Martta Association Pop-up Café at the foot of the New Chapel bell tower.

4-7pm Angel Trail. Bring a flashlight for this adventure! Explore lights and shadows, spot angels, and complete small tasks along the trail.

4.30-6.30pm DJ Mikko: Hietsu Ambient at the New Chapel. Mikko Saari will play calming and meditative ambient music.

4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm Moving light artwork on Aurora Main Avenue.

4-6pm Musicians and choirs performing around the cemetery:

Old Chapel

• 4pm Guitar duo Make Perttilä and Ville Nurmi (vocals and guitar)

• 5pm Töölö Church Chamber Choir

• 6pm Johanna Aho-Salakka (kantele)

Outside the New Chapel

• 4pm Erkki Haunio (trombone)

• 4.30pm Erkki Haunio in the New Chapel tower

• 5pm and 5.30pm Laulu-Miehet Male Choir¨

Near the Artists’ Hill

• Vocal Ensemble Cento at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm

4-7pm Welcome to send greetings and thoughts to heaven and spend a quiet moment in the Old Chapel.

The event area is vehicle-free from 2-8pm. During this time, only vehicles displaying a disabled parking permit may enter. The courtyard of the Old Chapel will be vehicle-free all day on Saturday, 31st of October.

Honkanummi Cemetery

11am Jäger Graves Tour. Tanja Lähteenmäki leads a guided walk and shares stories about the Jägers buried at the cemetery.

7-10pm Chapel open. The waiting area will feature artwork created by young people on the themes of hope, light, and memories. Finlandia Prize-winning author Sirpa Kähkönen will speak about her books dealing with grief and cemeteries (7-9pm).

7.30pm Comfort from the Darkness, Hope from the Light candlelit cemetery tour.

7.45pm Comfort from the Darkness, Hope from the Light candlelit cemetery tour.

9pm Concert in the Large Chapel featuring the a cappella group, Calla.

Kulosaari Cemetery

3-4pm Bilingual devotional service at Leposaari Chapel.

4-7pm Angel Trail for children and families.

4-7pm Glögi (mulled juice) and ginger biscuits available.

Welcome!

Malmi Cemetery

‍The cemetery’s chapel building is divided into three chapel spaces: the Large Chapel, Eastern Chapel, and Western Chapel.

The Large Chapel will host musical devotions every hour. The Eastern Chapel will become a space- and future-themed space for reflection and quiet contemplation, while in the Western Chapel children can draw and write about missing loved ones who have passed away.

Parish staff and volunteers will be available throughout the day from 12 noon to 7pm, offering warm drinks (coffee and juice) outside the chapels.

Musical Devotions in the Large Chapel

• 12pm and 1pm Lohdun säveliä (Melodies of Comfort) – Satu Kreivi-Palosaari, Taru Hämäläinen

• 2pm Swedish-language musical devotion: Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder – Pia Kummel-Myrskog, Mari Torri-Tuominen

• 3pm English-language musical devotion: Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound – James Cox, Mari Torri-Tuominen

• 4pm and 5pm Family devotion: Höyhenen kevyt on enkelin siipi (Light as a Feather Is an Angel’s Wing) – Niina Penttinen, Mari Torri-Tuominen, Lissu Elenius

• 6pm and 7pm Musical devotion: Kaikki kyyneleet - uudempia Pyhäinpäivän lauluja (Every Tear – Contemporary All Saints’ Day songs), featuring Kai Sadinmaa, Lissu Elenius and the Malmi Angels Choir

Angel Trail for Families

4-7pm at and around the Western Chapel. Families can pause at the Angel Chapel to rest, draw, and write messages to those they miss. The trail includes an obstacle course, small activities, and angel-themed experiences. Feel free to bring your own flashlight. Instructions provided in Finnish, Swedish and English.

The Eastern Chapel will also host a future- and space-themed remembrance and reflection chapel.

5.30pm and 6.30pm Light art performance by Belenos Group of Arts in the square in front of the chapels.

4-7pm The Scout group Viikin Vesikot will operate a food stall behind the cemetery waiting area, selling sausages and pancakes.

Cemetery Restaurant

Check-In / La Bamba (Ketokivenkaari Gate, Kalmiston Puistotie 1) will be open on All Saints’ Day from 12 noon to 6pm

Menu:

• Salmon soup (lactose-free, gluten-free): €12.50

• Sweet potato soup (vegan, gluten-free): €11, including bread, spread, coffee or tea

• Also available: sweet buns, pastries, coffee, tea, and cold drinks

Maunula Memorial Grove

4.30pm and 6pm All Saints’ Day devotional service by the central cross (in Finnish).

4-7pm Interactive Angel Trail for families with children. The trail offers age-appropriate activities related to All Saints’ Day at different stations. Children can explore at their own pace with an accompanying adult. Guidance is available from the main gate. Bring your own candle and flashlight. Instructions provided in Finnish and Swedish.

4-7pm Warm mulled juice served near the main gate. Parish staff and volunteers will be available if you would like to talk with someone.

Free admission.

The event is organised by the Oulunkylä Parish, Pakila Parish and Petrus Parish.

Visitor Information

Please bring your own flashlight. If you wish to light a candle, bring a grave candle and matches. Dress warmly and according to the weather.

We recommend using public transport. The nearest connections are:

• Light rail line 15 (stop: Pirkkolantie)

• Bus 53 (stop: Plotinrinne)

• Bus 23 (stop: Pirkkolan Urheilupuisto)

Parking is available at the Pirkkola Sports Park parking area (Pirkkolantie 23).

Östersundom Cemetery

The doors of Östersundom Church will be open from 4-7pm Staff will be available in the entrance hall, and mulled juice and gingerbread cookies will be served.

A staff member from Matteus Parish will also be present, making the event bilingual (Finnish and Swedish).