Burial (burial)
Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Information of relatives when resuming a burial in common ground
The Constitutional Council censored, in its decision n°2024-1110 of october 31, 2024, certain provisions of Article L2223-4 of the General Code of Local Authorities, as they do not guarantee respect for the will of the deceased.
The redacted provisions will be repealed effective December 31, 2025.
From now on, when the mayor plans to have the remains exhumed following the resumption of a burial in common ground, he must inform by any useful means the relatives who can make known the will of the deceased.
This obligation applies to the mayor until a new law comes into force (or the relevant provisions are repealed).
This sheet will be updated as soon as an amending text is adopted.
Do you have to deal with the burial of a relative? Burial is done in a cemetery within 14 days at most after death, except in exceptional cases. The funeral home company chosen takes care of all or part of the procedures. The cost varies according to the location and the services. If the deceased has not entered into a funeral contract, the costs shall be deducted from the estate's property. We present you the information to know.
The decision depends on the indications left by the deceased:
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The deceased has indicated his will
If the deceased expressed the wish to be buried, you must respect his will, regardless of how he indicated it (orally or in writing).
Check if the deceased had taken out a funeral contract.
It is used to finance and organize funerals. It also specifies the conditions of funerals (funeral services for example) and their cost.
FYI
If the deceased has subscribed a funeral insurance contractHowever, the situation is different. Indeed, this contract allows the payment of a capital to a beneficiary to finance the funeral, without listing the funeral services.
To check if the deceased had taken out a funeral insurance policy, you can use the following online service:
The deceased left no indication
The decision belongs to the relatives of the deceased in the following cases:
- He didn't plan his funeral in advance
- He left no indication of their organization.
Please note
if you disagree with other relatives of the deceased about the organization of his funeral, you must refer the place of death to the judicial court.
Time limits vary depending on the place of death.
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Deaths in metropolitan France
Burial must take place 24 hours at least and 14 calendar days at most after death.
Where special circumstances so warrant, the prefect of the department of the place of burial may grant derogations (individual or collective) from these deadlines.
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), the burial shall take place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
Overseas deaths
In the event of death in a overseas department or in a overseas community, with body transfer in metropolitan france, burials can take place up to 14 calendar days after the corps entered mainland france.
Where special circumstances so warrant, the prefect of the department of the place of burial may grant derogations (individual or collective) from these deadlines.
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), the burial shall take place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
Deaths abroad
In case of death with body transfer in metropolitan france, burials can take place up to 14 calendar days after the body entered France.
Where special circumstances so warrant, the prefect of the department of the place of burial may grant derogations (individual or collective) from these deadlines.
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), the burial shall take place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
If you respect the wishes indicated by the deceased, or in the absence of any indication from him, you can choose the place of burial according to the following rules:
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In a cemetery
You have to ask authorization for burial to the mayor of the chosen cemetery commune.
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
The deceased may be buried in one of the following cemeteries:
- That of the commune where the deceased lived
- The one in the town where he died
- The one where the family vault is located.
He may also be buried in the commune where he is entitled to a family burial.
Burial is also possible in another municipality, but the mayor can refuse it.
FYI
If the deceased resided abroad, he or she may be buried in the cemetery of the commune in which he or she is registered (or qualifies for registration) on the electoral list.
In the chosen cemetery, the deceased is buried in a funeral concession.
In the absence of a concession, he is buried free of charge in communal land, in an individual location.
The burial is arranged according to the wishes of the deceased or his relatives and in compliance with the rules of the communal cemetery.
FYI
The laying of a headstone or other indicative sign of burial is not mandatory.
In a private property
You have to ask the authorization of the prefect of the department where the property is located.
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
The authorization is individual. You can't create a private cemetery.
This authorization is subject to conditions, including the following:
- Geographical location of the property (distance from other dwellings, etc.)
- Sanitary conditions
- Composition of the soil.
Warning
Burial on private land creates a perpetual burial grant.
Yes, you can choose between burial in a common ground and the purchase of a concession, unless the deceased had indicated a contrary will, for example in a funeral contract.
Common ground
To propose a burial in common ground (or common ground) is a obligation for municipalities.
The common ground consists ofindividual locations, in which the deceased are buried free of charge for a minimum period of 5 years.
The common ground welcomes anyone who chooses this burial or whose family makes this choice.
It also welcomes people without sufficient resources (or indigent).
Please note
The mayor cannot set a maximum resource limit for access to the common land.
If the family is known, they provide for the funeral and pay the costs.
If the deceased has no known family, the municipality provides for the funeral. Subsequent research will be conducted to obtain reimbursement of costs if necessary.
You can customize the common ground grave.
However, the mayor may limit the size of the monument.
After a minimum period of 5 years, the municipality may decide to vacate the site in common ground.
The decision shall be communicated by:
- Display of the mayor's decree at the town hall and cemetery for a period of at least 2 months
- Mail to known family members of the deceased
You can decide to buy a concession and then transfer the coffin of the deceased to it.
In the absence of a response or a decision by the family, the municipality may choose one of the following options:
- Deposit at the ossuary
- Cremation (unless opposed by the deceased) before deposit at the ossuary or dispersion of ashes in the garden of remembrance.
Funeral Concession
One funeral concession is a location in a cemetery (cellar, grave).
The price of the concession depends in particular on its location and duration. It is set by the city council.
The contract signed with the municipality (concession act) specifies the beneficiaries and the duration of the concession.
Please note
The municipality can offer confessional squares in the cemetery. But it's not an obligation.
A temporary vault may be necessary in particular in the following situations:
- Construction of the final burial
- Repairs to be carried out in the concession
- Reduction of bodies to be carried out in the concession
- Waiting for a transfer abroad.
The temporary vault belongs to the municipality (this equipment is optional).
It can be free or paid.
You must send your request to the mayor indicating the desired duration.
The time limit for temporary storage depends on the place of death.
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Deaths in metropolitan France
Temporary storage in a vault may take place between 24 hours and 14 dayscalendars after death.
Please note
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), temporary storage takes place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
Overseas deaths
In the event of death in a overseas department or in a overseas community, with body transfer in metropolitan france, temporary storage can take place up to 14 days calendars after the corps entered mainland france.
Please note
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), temporary storage takes place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
Deaths abroad
In case of death with body transfer in metropolitan france, temporary vaulting can take place up to 14 days calendars after the body entered France.
Please note
In case of forensic problem (e.g. suicide or suspicious death), temporary storage takes place at the latest 14 calendar days after the authorization of burial issued by the public prosecutor.
Temporary storage in a vault is limited to a period of 6 months (non-renewable).
In practice, the funeral company takes care of the process.
Please note
An airtight coffin is mandatory if the temporary burial exceeds 6 days.
If the deceased did not choose a funeral company (by subscribing to a funeral contract), you must choose it.
The choice varies according to the size of the municipality.
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In a municipality with more than 5,000 inhabitants
You can freely choose a funeral operator.
The list of licensed local funeral companies is available at (or on their website):
- Town Hall
- Health facility
- Reception room of the mortuary or funeral rooms.
The funeral home company must mandatory submit the following 3 documents:
- General documentation listing rates and services (specifying whether they are mandatory or optional)
- Free, detailed and costed individual quote (conforms to an official model)
- Order form in case of acceptance of the quote.
Companies must submit standard quotes in the town halls of municipalities with more than 5,000 inhabitants.
They can also deposit these quotes with any other municipality.
In a municipality of less than 5,000 inhabitants
You can freely choose a funeral operator.
The list of licensed local funeral companies is available at (or on their website):
- Town Hall
- Health facility
- Reception room of the mortuary or funeral rooms.
The funeral home company must mandatory submit the following 3 documents:
- General documentation listing rates and services (specifying whether they are mandatory or optional)
- Free, detailed and costed individual quote (conforms to an official model)
- Order form in case of acceptance of the quote.
Companies must submit standard quotes to the municipalities of the department where they have their head office or a secondary institution.
They can also deposit these quotes with any other municipality.
After the declaration of death, the following formalities shall be carried out until burial:
- Authorization to close the coffin
- Pre-transport declaration of the body if necessary
- Permanent closure of the coffin
- Authorization to bury.
The funeral company takes care of all or part of the process.
You must provide him, at his request, with the necessary documents.
Some steps may be up to you (organization of a religious ceremony for example).
The cost varies depending on the location and the services chosen.
FYI
Ask the city council about the existence of local arrangements to cover certain funeral expenses.
The situation depends on the choice made by the deceased:
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The deceased signed a contract to finance his funeral
The situation depends on the contract entered into by the deceased.
The deceased has taken out a death insurance policy
This contract makes it possible to pay a capital to a person whom the deceased has designated as beneficiary.
FYI
A death insurance contract does not require the beneficiary to use the money received for the organization of the funeral.
The deceased has taken out a funeral insurance policy
This contract provides for the payment of a capital to finance the funeral, but it does not list the funeral benefits (ceremony, coffin...).
It does not necessarily cover the entire cost of the funeral.
The deceased entered into a funeral contract
This contract allows to finance and organize the funeral.
It specifies the conditions of funerals (funeral services for example) and their cost.
The deceased did not sign a contract to finance his funeral
The rules depend on the situation of the deceased:
The deceased was an active employee
Funeral fees may be charged to the bank accounts of the deceased, up to a maximum of €5,965 (and the amount available on the account).
If the amount collected is not sufficient, heirs must participate.
Depending on the situation of the deceased, some organizations can provide you with financial assistance.
You can contact the following organizations:
- Social Security Fund (death benefit entitlements)
- Mutual fund of the deceased (possible financial contribution to the costs).
FYI
ask the town hall about the existence of local arrangements for the payment of certain funeral expenses.
The deceased was an active civil servant
Funeral expenses may be charged to the bank accounts of the deceased, up to a maximum of €5,965 (and the amount available on the account).
If the amount collected is not sufficient, heirs must participate.
Depending on the situation of the deceased, some organizations can provide you with financial assistance.
You can contact the following organizations:
- Administration employing the deceased (death benefit entitlements)
- Mutual fund of the deceased (possible financial contribution to the costs).
FYI
ask the town hall about the existence of local arrangements for the payment of certain funeral expenses.
The deceased was retired from the general scheme
Funeral fees may be charged to the bank accounts of the deceased, up to a maximum of €5,965 (and the amount available on the account).
If the amount collected is not sufficient, heirs must participate.
Depending on the situation of the deceased, some organizations can provide you with financial assistance.
You can contact his pension fund.
Any person who has paid the funeral expenses of a pensioner of the general plan may have the amount of these expenses deducted from the sums due by the Cnav: titleContent, within the limit of €2,286.74.
FYI
ask the town hall about the existence of local arrangements for the payment of certain funeral expenses.
Other situation
Funeral expenses may be charged to the bank accounts of the deceased, up to a maximum of €5,965 (and the amount available on the account).
If the amount collected is not sufficient, heirs must participate.
FYI
ask the town hall about the existence of local arrangements for the payment of certain funeral expenses.
If the family of the deceased does not have sufficient resources, the municipality of the place of death must bear the costs of the funeral.
In this case, the city council chooses the funeral home.
It's the mayor who assesses the inadequacy of resources.
Please note
Burial is common ground.
Funeral Home Service
Regulation of the activity of funeral home operators
Post-death operations
Authorization for burial
Penalty for non-compliance with the deceased's wishes (Article 433-21-1)
Respect for the human body
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