Will donation to the Red Cross
By making a will, you can take care of people and issues important to you even after your passing. Making a will to the benefit of the Red Cross enables the continuation of charity and aid to support future generations.
Even a small share of what you leave behind can save another person’s life.
On this page you can find basic information about making a will and a bequest. More information is available by downloading our guide on making a will (PDF in Finnish) or ordering it by post using the online form at the bottom of the page.
If you are considering making a bequest to the Finnish Red Cross, you can also receive assistance on drawing up your will free of charge.
Why should you make a will?
When you are considering whether you should draw up a will, first find out how your estate would be divided without one. If the Code of Inheritance does not lead to a desired result, you should draw up a will.
Without a will, your estate is divided among your inheritors in the specified order. If the closest relative you have is a cousin, your property will go to the state.
How is a will made?
A will is usually quite simple to draw up. However, for a will to be valid, it must comply with legal formalities. This is why you should use a specialist to help you.
We are happy to recommend lawyers that can help you reliably and free of charge to draw up your will.
When you make a donation to the Finnish Red Cross in your will, you should clearly state whether it is intended for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or our volunteer activities in Finland.
You can also support regional or local activities. In this case, the recipient can be the Red Cross district or local branch of your choosing.
What happens if I leave immovable property to the Red Cross?
The Red Cross usually sells the immovable property through buy and sell shops. If a Red Cross Kontti second-hand department store is located nearby, the immovable property is sold there.
Real estate is sold through real estate companies in the free market. The more personal items, such as photos, are usually offered to members of the family. If they do not want them, we destroy the items to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands. We always dispose of letters, unless the will includes separate instructions on the matter.
How should the will be stored?
The will should be stored in a bank safe deposit box, preferably in a closed envelope. On the envelope, write that it contains a will and can only be opened with two witnesses present.
To ensure that the will is found in connection with the estate inventory, it can be wise to tell to a reliable person of its existence.
Free advice on making a will
We are happy to provide you with the contact information of lawyers who will help you free of charge. Please contact us to further discuss donating in a will:
Will specialist Mia Ekström
Tel. +358 (0)40 562 2472
mia.ekstrom(at)redcross.fi
Download the Red Cross guide on making a will (PDF in Finnish)