What to do when someone dies in France

The moments immediately following a loss are often the most overwhelming. In France, there are specific legal steps to take, but knowing what to expect can help you manage them with a sense of calm.

1.1 Confirming the death

If your loved one passes away at home, your first call should be to a doctor to formally certify the death.

• Need immediate help? Dial 15 (SAMU) or 112 (the universal European emergency number). They always have a doctor on call.
• For the hearing impaired: You can contact emergency services via 114.

1.2 The death certificate (Certificat de Décès)

The attending doctor will issue a Certificat de Décès. While this is a standard legal document, there are two things to keep in mind:

• Insurance requirements: Most French certificates do not list a cause of death for privacy reasons. However, UK insurance providers often require this. If you think you’ll need it, ask the doctor for a separate letter (attestation) stating the cause.
• Hospital Deaths: If the death occurs in a hospital or clinic, the staff will handle the medical certification for you.

1.3 Care of the body & timelines

In France, there is a gentle balance between tradition and regulation regarding where your loved one can rest before the funeral.

• Staying at home: Your loved one can usually stay at home for up to 24 hours. If you choose home embalming (soins de conservation), you can often extend this period to 48 hours.
• The 14-Day Rule: Since July 2024, French law has become more flexible. You now have up to 14 calendar days (previously 6) to arrange a burial or cremation. This extra time helps families—especially those with relatives traveling from abroad—grieve without the pressure of an immediate deadline.

1.4 Specific circumstances

• Sudden or violent death: In cases of accidents or suicide, you must inform the Police (Commissariat) or Gendarmerie (Dial 17). They will guide you through the next steps.
• Pacemakers: If your loved one had a pacemaker, please inform the doctor or funeral director immediately. It is a legal requirement to remove these before cremation to prevent damage to their equipment.
• Hospital mortuaries vs. Private funerariums: In a Hospital: The hospital staff usually move the body to a chambre mortuaire (mortuary). This service remains free for the first three days.
• At home: You will need to contact a Funeral Director (Pompes Funèbres) to move the body to a chambre funéraire (a private funeral home). While this incurs a cost, these spaces offer a more comfortable environment for families to visit.

1.5 Contact a funeral director (Pompes Funèbres)

The role of your funeral director (Pompes Funèbres)

A good Funeral Director is more than a service provider; they are your administrative guide.

• Expert help: You may choose to have your Funeral Director handle the registration at the Mairie. This can significantly reduce stress during the first day.
• Templates & tools: They often provide pre-written templates for the many letters you will need to send to banks, utilities, and insurance companies.
• Practical note: Don’t underestimate the value of a supportive funeral director. Ask them early on exactly what paperwork they can handle on your behalf.

1.6 Selecting a funeral director (Pompes Funèbres)

If your loved one did not leave specific instructions, you have the freedom to choose any licensed Funeral Director.

• Soliciting competitive quotes: You are legally entitled to ask for a free, written estimate (Devis) from several companies. Costs may vary significantly. The average French funeral costs approximately €4,000, but the specific services you choose will determine the final price.
• Financial support: Check the deceased’s ‘Mutuelle’ (top-up health insurance), as many policies include a lump sum toward funeral costs. If you are a UK citizen, you may also be eligible for certain UK social fund payments even for a funeral in France.

Once the doctor issues the medical certificate, you must officially register the death with the local authorities. While this is a formal process, you don’t have to manage it alone. You can ask your Funeral Director to handle the registration at the Mairie for you.

2.1 Visiting the Mairie (Town hall)

By law, a death must be registered at the Mairie within 24 hours.

• Who can go? It doesn’t have to be the next of kin. A friend, a neighbour, or a representative from the funeral home can act as the “informant.”
• Where to go? You register at the Mairie where the death occurred. If your loved one lived in a different town, that Mairie will also be notified automatically.
• What to bring: The person visiting will need:
  • Their own ID (Passport or Carte de Séjour).
  • The Medical Death Certificate (Certificat de Décès).
  • The deceased’s ID (Passport or Carte de Séjour).
  • Note: The Mairie retains the original ID papers permanently. If you plan a repatriation, tell the Mairie and your Funeral Director immediately, as you may need the passport for travel permits.

2.2 Details needed for registration

To complete the registration, the Mairie will ask for several details. Having these written down in advance makes this process much smoother:

1. Full name: For women, this must be their maiden name.
2. The specifics: Time, date, and place of death.
3. Personal history: The deceased’s profession and their place/date of birth.
4. Parents’ details: Full names of the deceased’s parents (including the mother’s maiden name).
5. Marital history: Full names of any current or former spouses (maiden names for wives). This is particularly important if the deceased received a French state pension.

2.3 Obtaining the ‘Acte de Décès’ (Death records)

The Mairie will issue the official Acte de Décès.

• Ask for 15–20 copies: You will need original copies for almost every administrative task, from closing bank accounts to canceling subscriptions. In France, these copies are free, so it is always better to have too many than too few.
• The Multilingual Version: If your loved one had assets outside of France, ask for the ‘Extrait Plurilingue’. International authorities accept this multilingual version without requiring an expensive certified translation.

In France, a funeral is not just a personal farewell; it is a legally guided process. However, within these rules, there is room to honor your loved one in a way that feels right for your family.

3.1 Choosing the type of service

You can choose to have a full ceremony or a direct, “simple” cremation or burial.

• Direct cremation: It is possible to request that your loved one be taken directly to the crematorium without a formal ceremony. This is often a gentle and economic choice, allowing the family to hold a larger memorial service at a later, more convenient date.
• Repatriation: If you wish to return your loved one to their home country, direct cremation in France followed by repatriation of the ashes often provides the most straightforward and affordable solution.

3.2 Understanding the 14-day rule

As of July 2024, French law has become more supportive of international families.

• The timeline:  Burial or Cremation now takes place within 14 calendar days of death.
• Need more time? If family members are traveling from abroad and you need to extend this window, your Funeral Director can apply for an extension from the local Prefecture. It is important to ask for this at your very first appointment with them.

3.3 What happens to the ashes?

French law regarding ashes changed significantly in 2008 and remains very strict to ensure dignity.

• The key rule: You cannot keep an urn at home on a mantelpiece or divide the ashes among family members.
• Your options: You must place the ashes in a cemetery (within a columbarium or family vault) or scatter them in a designated ‘Jardin du Souvenir‘ (Garden of Remembrance).
• Scattering in nature: You may scatter ashes ‘in the wild’ (such as a forest or at sea), provided you avoid public highways or parks. You must notify the Mairie of the deceased’s place of birth once the ashes have been scattered or buried.

3.4 Burial plots & ‘Eco-friendly’ choices

• Purchasing a burial plot (Une Concession): In France, as in the UK, burial plots are almost always leased rather than bought forever. In France this can range from 5-50 years. Most burial plots are for 30-50 years with an option to renew if wanted. However, it is important to update the Mairie of any address change so they can send you renewal notices.
• Eco-funerals: You can now choose biodegradable or cardboard coffins and urns, including water soluble ones if you choose to scatter ashes in the sea or Living Urns (Tree Urns). If this is important to you, discuss it early with your Funeral Director, as local cemetery rules on “eco-coffins” can vary by region.

If you plan the funeral or final resting place to be in the  UK or another country, you must arrange ‘repatriation.’ Professionals in both France and your home destination coordinate this well-established process

4.1 Coordinating between two countries

You do not need to be an expert in international law to bring a loved one home.

• Funeral director links: Most French funeral directors (Pompes Funèbres) have direct partnerships with UK colleagues. They can often handle the entire transfer from start to finish without you needing a middleman.
• Specialist services: Companies like The Anubis Group (or Homeland International) specialise specifically in international transfers. They can manage the paperwork on both sides of the Channel, including the specialised transportation required by law.
• Practical tip: Before booking, ask for a clear estimate (Devis) that includes “aller/retour” (the return journey) if the hearse is travelling by road.

4.2 The simplicity of repatriating ashes

Many families find that cremating their loved one in France and carrying the ashes home is a much gentler, simpler, and more cost-effective option.

• Travel ease: You can generally take ashes back to the UK yourself by car, ferry, or plane.
• Requirements: You will need a copy of the Acte de Décès, the Cremation Certificate, and an authorization from the local Prefecture (which your Funeral Director will obtain for you).
• Airline tips: If flying, always check with the airline first. Some allow ashes in hand luggage (in a non-metallic, scannable urn), while others require them to be in the hold.

4.3 Formalities for body repatriation

If you choose to return your loved one’s body to the UK, there are strict international health and transport regulations:

• Preparation: The funeral director must embalm the body and place it in a specific, travel-compliant coffin (often zinc-lined).
• Paperwork: Your Funeral Director will handle the Laissez-Passer (the official travel permit) from the Prefecture. You will need to provide the deceased’s Passport, Birth Certificate, and (if applicable) Marriage Certificate.
• Consular advice: While not compulsory, you can record the death with the General Register Office in London via the British Consulate. This can be helpful for future legal or insurance matters in the UK.

Closing a life in France involves working with a complex legal system that differs significantly from the UK or elsewhere. While the paperwork feels heavy, taking it one step at a time ensures you handle the estate correctly and receive the support you deserve.

5.1 The role of the Notaire (Essential advice)

In France, a Notaire is a public official who handles the legal transfer of assets (Succession).

• When do you need one? If the deceased owned property in France, or if the estate exceeds €5,000, French law requires you to use a Notaire.
• Finding support: We strongly recommend seeking an English-speaking Notaire. They will help “settle the succession” (régler la succession) and ensure you meet the strict tax deadlines.
• Essential documents checklist: You will need to provide the Notaire with title deeds, tenancy agreements, bank statements, and evidence of any marriage or PACS (civil partnership) agreements.

5.2 Managing bank accounts & finance

The French banking system moves quickly following a death.

• The 7-day rule: You must inform the bank within seven days by providing an Acte de Décès.
• Blocked accounts: The bank will freeze any account held in the deceased’s name alone immediately.
• Joint accounts: If you hold an account as ‘M ou Mme‘ (Husband or Wife), the survivor can usually continue to use it. However, if you hold it as ‘M et Mme‘ (Husband and Wife), the bank will typically block the account until the Notaire intervenes.
• Emergency funds: Next of kin can often withdraw up to €5,000 from the deceased’s account specifically to cover funeral costs, provided you have the Acte de Décès and an invoice from the Funeral Director.

5.3 Pensions & state benefits

Both the French and UK governments provide support for surviving spouses, but you must claim these actively.

• French state pensions: If your loved one received a French pension, you must notify the pension office (CARSAT) within 7 days. You may be eligible for a ‘Pension de Réversion’ (a portion of their pension).
• UK state pensions: Contact the International Pension Centre (DWP) in the UK. Have their National Insurance (NI) number and pension reference ready.
• Bereavement support payment (UK): If you are under the UK State Pension age, you may be eligible for a one-off payment (up to £3,500) and monthly support for 18 months. Note: You must claim within 3 months of the death to receive the full amount.
• Capital Décès: If your loved one was working or recently retired in France, you may be entitled to a lump-sum “death grant” from the French social security system (CPAM).

5.4 Tax & inheritance deadlines

France has very strict timelines for inheritance tax (Droits de Succession).

• The 6-month deadline: If the death occurred in France, you must file the Déclaration de Succession with the tax office (Hôtel des Impôts) within 6 months. If the death occurred abroad, the law gives you 12 months.
• Late penalties: The French tax office applies interest and penalties for late filings, so it is vital to provide your Notaire with all financial information as early as possible.
• Final income tax: In the year following the death, you will still need to file a final tax return (Déclaration des Revenus) covering the income earned up to the date of death.

5.5 Private insurance & premium bonds

• Life insurance (Assurance Vie): Contact these companies immediately. In France, Assurance Vie often sits outside the standard inheritance rules and can provide the beneficiary with quicker access to funds.
• UK policies: Be aware that some UK insurance companies may struggle with a French Acte de Décès because it does not list a cause of death. If they refuse to pay out, refer back to Step 1.2 to obtain a letter (attestation) from the doctor who certified death.
• Premium bonds: You do not need to cash these in immediately, but you must settle the account within one year of the death.