There is no reason to organise a state funeral for the artist Vesa-Matti Loiri, commented Timo Lankinen, Undersecretary of State at the Prime Minister's Office to media outlet MTV.

The iconic actor and musician Loiri died at the age of 77 last week.

"Loiri had a remarkable career as an artist. In my opinion, however, the criteria for granting state funerals of special national significance are not met, so there are no conditions presented to the government that warrant the organisation of a state funeral," Lankinen told MTV.

The decision is taken by the government. According to Lankinen, the government will pay respects in other ways and will honour Loiri with its presence at the funeral.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said on Wednesday that the government would discuss the artist's possible state funeral. According to Marin, the wishes of Loiri's family must be heard.

Science and Culture Minister Petri Honkonen (Cen) had proposed a state funeral for Vesa-Matti Loiri on Tuesday.

"Vesa-Matti Loiri is one of the greatest artists Finland has seen since independence, who has moved countless Finns over generations. A state funeral would be Finland's common tribute and thanks for an exceptional life's work in shaping our culture," Honkonen stated in a press release.

In Finland, a state funeral was last organised for a person in the cultural sector in 1992 when author Väinö Linna died. The last state funeral was held for Finland's former president, Mauno Koivisto in 2017.