Section 2: Funeral and burial regulations

When the body is transported outside mainland France or an overseas department, authorisation is given by the prefect of the department where the coffin is closed.

The entry into France of the body of a person who has died in the overseas collectivities, in New Caledonia or abroad and its transfer to the place of burial or cremation, as well as transit through French territory, are carried out on the basis of an authorisation issued by the French consular representative or by the Government delegate. However, when the death has occurred in a foreign country adhering…

Authorisation to transport ashes outside mainland France or an overseas department is issued by the prefect of the department where the deceased was cremated or where the applicant resides.

I.-With the exception of the cases provided for in article R. 2213-26, the body is placed in a coffin fitted with a watertight bowl complying with the following characteristics: 1° strength; 2° Watertightness; 3° Biodegradability when it is intended for burial or combustibility when it is intended for cremation in order to protect the environment and health. These characteristics are defined by order of the ministers responsible for health and…

I.-Prior to being placed on the market, an accredited body checks that the coffin fitted with a watertight bowl complies with the characteristics mentioned in article R. 2213-25. This body will issue a certificate of conformity. II. II -An order by the ministers responsible for health and the environment, issued after consultation with the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail and the Conseil national…

The provisions of Articles R. 2213-25 and R. 2213-25-1 do not impede the free movement of coffins legally manufactured or marketed in another Member State of the European Union, in another State party to the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area, or in Turkey, which meet a level of strength, watertightness, biodegradability and combustibility equivalent to that defined by the decree provided for in I of Article R. 2213-25.

The body is placed in a hermetically sealed coffin meeting the conditions set out in Article R. 2213-27 in the following cases: 1° If the person was suffering at the time of death from one of the transmissible infections listed in a of article R. 2213-2-1; 2° In the event of the body being deposited either at home, in a church building or in a temporary vault, for a period…

Hermetically sealed coffins must be made of biodegradable material and meet composition, resistance and watertightness characteristics set by order of the minister responsible for health after receiving the opinion of the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail and the Conseil national des opérations funéraires. They must not give off any liquid to the outside environment, contain an absorbent material and be fitted with a…

For victims of accidents on board armed forces aircraft, provided that there are no grounds for refusing authorisation for burial and after compliance with the formalities prescribed in Article 81 of the Civil Code, a declaration of immediate transport with a view to autopsy to the nearest military hospital or air base infirmary is made to the State representative in the department where the autopsy takes place. On completion of…