Cremation

If the deceased had expressed the wish to be cremated, you must respect his will, however he has indicated it (orally or in writing).

The decision belongs to the relatives of the deceased.

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.

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.

If the deceased was carrying a battery-operated prosthesis (e.g. pacemaker, defibrillator, physiological pump), the physician or thanatopractor removes the prosthesis and attests to its recovery before the beer is put into beer (with some exceptions).

Cremation is permitted by the mayor of the place of death (or beer-making in case of transport of the body).

Authorization shall be granted on presentation of the following documents:

• Written expression of the deceased's last wishes or request of the person responsible for organizing the funeral
• Certificate from the doctor who recorded the death indicating the absence of a medico-legal problem
• Certificate from the doctor or thanatopractor attesting to the removal of the prosthesis

The mayor cannot authorize cremation when the death poses a medico-legal problem (accident, suicide, signs or clues of violent death, unknown or suspicious cause of death).

He must immediately seize the public prosecutor.

The cremation is then authorized by the public prosecutor's officeafter a police investigation and determination of the causes of death.

A prior autopsy may be required, at the family's expense.

The use of an airtight coffin is mandatory in certain situations, in particular in the event of transport of body from the foreigner or by plane.

An airtight coffin (or galvanized) cannot be subject to cremation.

The opening of a coffin is prohibited for a period of at least 5 years from its closure.

So you have to opting for a burial.

However, it is possible to request a authorization to transfer the body to a suitable coffin to the cremation.

You have to go through some formalities.

In practice, the funeral company takes care of them, in whole or in part.

The request must be addressed to the mayor of the municipality of the place of change of coffin.

You must attach supporting documents (including a medical certificate issued at the place of death).

The mayor has 6 days to make his decision.

In case of refusal of the mayor, you must opting for a burial.

Within a cemetery or cinerary site, you can opt for the dispersion of ashes in the space arranged for this purpose (garden of the memory, well of the memory).

Within a cemetery or burial site, ashes may also have the following destinations:

• Burial of the urn in an existing or to be created burial site (in open ground or in cavurn)
• Sealing of the urn on a funeral monument
• Deposit of the ballot box in a columbarium
• Burial of the urn in the communal area in an unlicensed location (free) for at least 5 years

You must make a declaration to the town hall of the place of birth of the deceased.

A register indicates the identity of the deceased, the date and place of dispersion of the ashes.

To be in the wilderness, the place of dispersal must not belong to anyone and must not be closed.

Dispersal is prohibited on public roads or in a public place (stadium, square, public garden, etc.).

Dispersal is prohibited in a private garden.

However, dispersal to a large extent (field, meadow, forest, etc.) accessible to the public but owned by a private person is possible. The prior consent of the owner of the land is required.

Dispersal may be prohibited on waterways (ask the town hall of the municipality concerned).

Dispersion of the ashes or immersion of the urn (made of biodegradable material) is permitted in the open sea. Specialized companies ­ funeral homes ­ offer ­ service (for a fee).

A person who ­ his own boat­can ­ the operation, respecting the distances from the shore. You can inquire with the prefecture concerned.

The urn containing the ashes can be placed in a grave located in a private property.

You must request a prefectural authorization.

The burial of the urn creates a burial and a bondage perpetual.

Access of the deceased's heirs to the grave must be guaranteed.

The urn can be buried free of charge in the communal grounds of the cemetery.

This is the solution if you need time to make your choice.

The urn can be kept for up to 1 year (service may be charged) at one of the following locations:

• Crematorium
• Place of worship (after agreement of the association responsible for the practice of worship)

During this time, you must decide on the fate of the ashes.

After the 1 year deadlineHowever, if you have not made a decision, the ashes are scattered in one of the following places:

• Dedicated area of the cemetery of the municipality of the place of death
• Nearest cinerary site