Transport of a deceased person
Verified 28 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The transport of a deceased person is subject to certain rules. They change depending on whether the body is transported only in France or whether it passes through a overseas department or a foreigner country. The steps are carried out by the funeral company or by the person closest to the deceased. We present you the information to know.
In France
The rules for transporting a deceased differ depending on whether the body is transported before or after it has been deposited in a coffin.
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Transport before deposit in a coffin
The transport of a deceased person (e.g. to a funeral home or to the deceased's home) is subject to strict rules.
Please note
If the death occurred in a health care facility that has a mortuary (also known as morgue or depository), the body of the deceased can be kept there for 6 days (with free for the first 3 days following the death).
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
If not, the person closest to the deceased must take care of it.
The declaration of death must be done before transport.
Transport must be by means of a specially equipped vehicle exclusively reserved for mortuary transport.
Transport must intervene within 48 hours that follow death.
If you are the one doing the procedure, you must complete a declaration for the transport of the body. It is to be addressed to the town hall.
Funeral Operations - Advance Declaration
The following documents are also required:
- Extract from the death certificate issued by the doctor, attesting to the absence of medico-legal obstacles and certain diseases
- Consent of the director of the institution if the death occurred, for example, in a hospital or Ehpad: titleContent.
If the person closest to the deceased could not be contacted, the declaration can be completed by the following persons:
- Person with whom death occurred
- Director of the health or social institution in which the death occurred.
When the body is transported outside the municipality where it is located, a copy of the transport declaration is sent to the mayor of the place of destination.
Transport after deposit in a coffin
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
If not, the person closest to the deceased must take care of it.
The declaration of death must be done before transport.
Transport must be by means of a specially equipped vehicle exclusively reserved for mortuary transport.
The transport of a body after closing the coffin must be the subject of a prior declaration.
It is to be addressed to the town hall of the place where the coffin is closed.
Funeral Operations - Advance Declaration
The following documents are also required:
- Extract from the death certificate issued by the doctor, attesting to the absence of medico-legal obstacles and certain diseases
- Consent of the director of the institution if the death occurred, for example, in a hospital or Ehpad: titleContent
- Authorization to close the coffin by the mayor of the place of death.
If the person closest to the deceased could not be contacted, the declaration can be completed by the following persons:
- Person with whom death occurred
- Director of the health or social institution in which the death occurred.
When the body is transported outside the municipality where it is located, a copy of the transport declaration is sent to the mayor of the place of destination.
Overseas
The costs of repatriation the deceased's remains (or ashes) are the responsibility of the family.
Check if insurance can cover the cost (repatriation or credit card insurance, home insurance or liability insurance).
The rules vary according to the overseas departments or overseas communities :
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Overseas department or region
When the body is transported between the metropolis and an overseas department, the funeral home company takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
Authorization is given by the prefect the department where the coffin is closed.
Overseas Community
The rules depend on the place of departure and destination:
Transport from the metropolis
When the body is transported between the metropolis and an overseas department, the funeral home company takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
Authorization is given by the prefect the department where the coffin is closed.
Transport to the metropolis
When the body is transported between the metropolis and an overseas department, the funeral home company takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
Authorization is given by the representative of the State in the overseas community concerned.
Between 2 countries
The costs of repatriation the deceased's remains (or ashes) are the responsibility of the family.
Check if insurance can cover the cost (repatriation or credit card insurance, home insurance or liability insurance).
The rules depend on country of departure and destination :
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The body of the deceased leaves France to another country
The rules depend on the country of destination:
Transport to another EU country
The rules according to whether it is the transport of the body or the ashes:
Transport of body
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
The authorization is given by the prefect of the place where the coffin is closed.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
Transport of ash
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
For the transport of ash, the authorization is given by the prefect the place of cremation of the deceased or the place of residence of the applicant.
Transport to another country foreigner
The rules according to whether it is the transport of the body or the ashes:
Transport of body
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported outside France, authorization is given by the prefect of the place where the coffin is closed.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
Transport of ash
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
For the carriage of ashes, authorization shall be given by the prefect of the deceased's cremation or by the prefect of the applicant's residence.
The body of the deceased arrives in France from another country
The rules depend on the country of departure:
Transport from another EU country to France
The rules according to whether it is the transport of the body or the ashes:
Transport of body
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
The entry into France of the body of a deceased person abroad and its transport to the burial site (or cremation) are subject to authorization.
Entry into France is permitted by the embassy or consulate.
Who shall I contact
Transport of ash
The entry into France of the ashes of a deceased person abroad is subject to authorization.
Entry into France is permitted by the embassy or consulate.
Who shall I contact
Transport from foreigner to France
The rules according to whether it is the transport of the body or the ashes:
Transport of body
It's the funeral home company who takes care of the procedures.
When the body is transported by air, an airtight coffin (metal box) is mandatory.
The entry into France of the body of a deceased person abroad and its transport to the burial site (or cremation) are subject to authorization.
Entry into France is permitted by the embassy or consulate.
Who shall I contact
Transport of ash
The entry into France of the ashes of a deceased person abroad is subject to authorization.
Entry into France is permitted by the embassy or consulate.
Who shall I contact
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For transport in France
Town HallIn the event of death abroad
French embassy or consulate abroad
Transport of bodies before putting in beer
Transport of bodies after putting in beer and transport abroad
FAQ
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
Ministry of Economy
Ministry in charge of Overseas
