What is cost of average funeral in France?

Reader Question: I have retired to France, and will not be moving back to the UK. Is it expensive to have a funeral here? 

Funeral costs can vary according to a number of factors, but estimations from most directors say between €3,000 and €5,000, depending on the scope, with the average being around €3,850.

In general, cremations are slightly more expensive than burials, although the difference is only around €100 or so. 

In comparison, in 2024 the average cost of a funeral in the UK was £4,141, according to research by insurance provider Sunlife. 

Both burials and cremations will require a certain number of ‘essential’ services that are part of the prices. 

These include: 

• A coffin or urn 

• Burial/cremation tax (note some communes and larger cities also charge an additional cremation fee)

• Transportation costs for the body 

• Costs for the ceremony

If you hire a funeral director, they will take care of arranging these things for you, and help you understand the cost of potential extras such as commemorative plaques, a funeral parlour, etc.

Remember that if you wish to be buried in France, it is important to reserve a plot of land in advance. 

Read more: How do village burial plots work in France?

How are these costs covered? 

If the deceased had a funeral insurance plan, you should contact the provider to release the funds. 

You will need to show the provider the person’s death certificate, which we explain how to address below. 

Read more: What are the immediate steps to take after a death in France?

Up to €5,000 from a deceased’s bank account can be released to cover funeral expenses. This request must be made to the bank.

Alternatively, some other services may provide funding towards funeral costs. 

These include: 

The Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) may provide money towards the funeral of a deceased person if they were working in the private sector, with a Capital décès versé pour le décès payment.

It is a one-off payment of up to €3,909, you can find out more here. 

Note for civil servants, a similar payment may be available through the administrative service in which they worked however it varies depending on their role. 

The Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Vieillesse (CNAV) may also provide funding of up to €2,286.74 if the deceased was retired and had some pension payments still owed to them before their death. Find out more here.

Demands to Cpam and Cnav are made after the funeral takes place.