Chapter II: Patients in health care institutions

The family or next of kin are informed as soon as possible and by all appropriate means of the worsening of the patient’s condition and of his death. Death is confirmed by any means. Notification of death is given to : 1° Foreign nationals whose family does not reside in France, to the nearest consulate; 2° Military personnel, to the competent military authority; 3° Minors covered by a departmental child…

Deaths are attested by the certificate provided for inarticle L. 2223-42 of the Code général des collectivités territoriales.

In accordance with article 80 of the French Civil Code, deaths are recorded in a special register. This register is sent to the town hall’s registry office within twenty-four hours.

The declaration of a stillborn child is drawn up under the conditions set out in article 79-1 of the French Civil Code. This declaration is recorded in the institution’s death register.

In the event of signs or indications of a violent or suspicious death of an inpatient, the Director, informed by the Department’s Chief Medical Officer, shall notify the judicial authorities, in accordance with article 81 of the Civil Code.

Where this is required by public health regulations, the effects and furnishings that belonged to the deceased shall be cremated for reasons of hygiene. In this case, no claim may be made by the beneficiaries, who may not demand reimbursement of the value of these objects and effects.

The family or, failing this, the next of kin have ten days to claim the body of the person who died in the establishment. The mother or father has the same period from the date of delivery to claim the body of a child who may be declared lifeless at the civil registry office.

I.-In the event that the body of the deceased or of the child who may be declared lifeless at the civil registry is claimed, it is handed over without delay to the persons referred to in article R. 1112-75. II – If the body is not claimed within the ten-day period mentioned in article R. 1112-75, the establishment has two clear days: 1° To arrange for the burial of the…

Health establishments shall keep a register containing information enabling the bodies of deceased persons and children who may be declared lifeless at the civil registry to be tracked, from the time the death of the persons or the date of delivery of children who may be declared lifeless at the civil registry is recorded until the bodies are removed from the establishment. An order issued by the Minister for Health…

For the application of the provisions of this sub-section, army hospitals are considered to be health establishments.