CHAPTER III: Cemeteries and funeral operations

No person may hold the position of de jure or de facto director or manager of an agency, company, association or establishment benefiting from or applying for the authorisation provided for in article L. 2223-23: 1° If they have been convicted by a final judgment of a suspended or unsuspended prison sentence, listed in bulletin no. 2 of the criminal record, for a crime or one of the following offences:…

I.- The authorisation provided for in article L. 2223-23 may be suspended for a maximum period of one year or withdrawn, after formal notice, by the representative of the State in the département where the acts were observed, for the following reasons: 1° Non-compliance with the provisions of this code to which the régies, companies or associations authorised in accordance with article L. 2223-23; 2° Repealed 3° Non-exercise of the…

Agents who carry out their duties in direct contact with families or who personally participate in the conclusion or execution of one of the funeral services provided for by 2°, 3°, 6° and 8° of article L. 2223-19 must hold a national diploma, without prejudice to the provisions of l’article L. 2223-45. A decree lays down the conditions under which these diplomas are awarded, the conditions under which training organisations…

The equipment provided as part of the public funeral service by the licensed undertakers and undertakers or associations must be set up with a view to both religious funerals of any faith and funerals of a non-denominational nature. .

The service is free for people without sufficient resources. When the public service mission defined in article L. 2223-19 is not provided by the commune, the commune shall pay the funeral expenses of these persons. It chooses the organisation that will provide the funeral services. The mayor shall arrange for the body to be cremated if the deceased has expressed this wish.

Religious fabriques, consistories or establishments may not become contractors for an external service. In localities where families provide directly or through the care of secular charitable societies, by virtue of ancient customs, for the transport or burial of their dead, the same practices may be maintained with the authorisation of the town council and under the supervision of the mayor.

The fabriques and consistoires retain the exclusive right to supply objects intended for the funeral service in religious buildings and for the interior and exterior decoration of these buildings. The service allocated to the fabriques is free of charge for the indigent.

A decree in the Conseil d’Etat shall determine the conditions of application of this sub-section.