Some 4,100 members of Helsinki's Evangelic Lutheran parishes left the church last year, whereas a year earlier the corresponding number was only 2,700. The trend was similar in other parts of the country as well - especially in the larger cities.
"It is still not a mass exodus", says director of communications Seppo Simola from the Helsinki Parishes Information Centre. "This sudden peak is merely the result of the recent change in the law", he believes.
The amended freedom of religion law that came into effect in August no longer requires a one-month reconsideration period for those wishing to leave the church.
Also, would-be apostates no longer have to appear personally at a church registry office to fill in a resignation form.
"The amendment clearly caused the peak, for the figures for the first part of the year were similar to those a year earlier", Seppo Simola says.
Last year, the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church's net loss of members was a little over 0.5 percent.
The new law on funeral services may also have contributed to some people's decision to leave the church. Unlike before, burial expenses are now the same for everyone, regardless of whether they are members of a congregation.
The church taxes, which are collected from members along with municipal rates, are another cause of grief for some. The revision of the municipal taxation, for example in the city of Tampere, may have caused some citizens to look into their church taxation as well.