Lähdenteinä
Lähdenteinä refers to a traditional Finnish concept that translates roughly to "departure clothes" or "clothing for leaving." It is a cultural practice rooted in Finnish folklore and rural traditions, particularly associated with the preparation of a person for their final journey or transition into the afterlife. The term is most commonly linked to the custom of dressing a deceased person in their finest or most symbolic attire before burial, ensuring they would be appropriately received in the afterlife.
The origins of Lähdenteinä can be traced back to pre-Christian Finnish beliefs, where death was seen as
This tradition reflects broader Nordic and Baltic funeral customs, where clothing played a role in guiding
Today, Lähdenteinä serves as a cultural reminder of Finland’s historical attitudes toward death and the afterlife,