The News

Thousands Honor Finland Ex-President Koivisto Before Burial

The funeral procession of late President of Finland, Mauno Koivisto, makes a stop in front of the Presidential Castle in Helsinki, Finland Thursday, May 25, 2017

HELSINKI – Tens of thousands of Finns have lined the roads in central Helsinki to honor former President Mauno Koivisto as his coffin was borne from the Helsinki Cathedral to the city’s main cemetery.

Koivisto, a World War II veteran who served two six-year terms as Finland’s president between 1982 and 1994, was buried with full military honors on Thursday.

The coffin, honorary medals and wreaths at the Helsinki Cathedral before the state funeral of late President of Finland Mauno Koivisto on Thursday, 25th May, 2017. Photo: Lahtikuva/Jussi Nukari, via AP

He died in Helsinki on May 12 at age 93 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Police estimated that more than 30,000 people watched the funeral procession. About 500 invited guests and members of the diplomatic corps attended the state funeral service.