What are the rules for cemeteries in France?

Reader Question: After living in France for many years my wife and I would like to be buried here. How do cemeteries work, are they different to the UK?

Yes, cemeteries in France can function differently to in the UK. 

As part of laïcité or separation of church and state, cemeteries are not run by religious bodies but by local communes or private institutions, although in Alsace-Lorraine such rules do not apply and cemeteries can be religious (of any faith).

The vast majority (around 97%) across France are public and are run by mairies. 

Some special denominational burial sites exist outside of Alsace Lorraine, including old Jewish and Protestant cemeteries (including a famous latter site in Nantes), and now around 600 Muslim burial areas also exist, however many of these come under communal jurisdiction and must still adhere to certain rules.

There are around 40,000 cemeteries in France – more than there are communes – and all communes must have at least one area set aside for burials. Where a commune has over 2,000 inhabitants an incinerator for cremations is also required.

Burials or cremation 

French law allows for only burial or cremation for the deceased. 

Burials must usually take place in a cemetery, however with approval of the mairie and a report from a hydrogeologist to assure it is safe, burials in some other areas are permitted. 

Bodies must be placed in a coffin made of a specific biodegradable material (usually wood or cardboard), and then placed in one of three locations: 

• A burial plot in the ground

• A special structure for keeping the dead (a vault or mausoleum made out of acceptable material such as concrete)

• A wall niche (niche murale), sometimes preferred to save space or in humid areas to aid decomposition of the body

Cemeteries must accept the burial of the following groups: 

• People who died within the commune’s boundaries, regardless of where they live

• People living in the municipality, even if they died elsewhere

• People who have the right to be buried in a family plot in the commune 

• French citizens living abroad who are registered to vote in the commune, or who meet the requirements to be registered but do not have a family plot

Mairies may also make exemptions for others based on individual requests.

When it comes to burial plots, you can purchase a space in your local cemetery, and state in your will that this is where you would like to be buried (if possible).

It can sometimes be difficult to obtain a plot in advance due to limited space, so having a collective (for several people) or family plot (for several generations of people related to the original holder) can be beneficial.

Otherwise, cremations are the only other acceptable method. 

Ashes are also generally kept at cemeteries in France, either via urns placed in a columbarium, cavurne, or family plot. 

As a reminder, the scattering of ashes is regulated, and human ashes cannot be kept at home in France. 

A handful of ‘foreign’ cemeteries exist in France, where remains are buried and cared for free of charge, but these are usually related to military combatants who died on French soil, the most famous of which is the American cemetery in Normandy. 

Plot reservations may not last forever 

Even if you reserve a plot, note that it may not be the last resting place. 

In many cases, the purchasing of a plot can see it reserved for a certain number of years after death, at which point the reservation must be renewed, otherwise the remains can be exhumed so the plot can be used again.

Exhumed remains are placed in a communal ossuary or other communal spot.

Only plots purchased as ‘perpetual’ cannot see remains exhumed, however if the plot is abandoned it can be reclaimed by the mairie. 

This involves an administrative procedure and a one-year notice outside the cemetery, during which point family members can reclaim the plot before remains are exhumed. 

Otherwise, remains can be removed at the request of family members, either to join a new communal plot or another cemetery, via a request to the mairie.

The removal of remains without approval is a crime and can lead to fines of up to €15,000 and one year in prison.