Section 2: Funeral and burial regulations

Cremation is authorised by the mayor of the commune of death or, if the body has been transported before committal, of the place where the coffin is closed. This authorisation, which may be sent by dematerialised means, is granted on the following proofs: 1° The written expression of the deceased’s last wishes or, failing this, the request of any person who is entitled to provide for the funeral and provides…

I.-When the body of the deceased has been placed, in order to ensure its transport, in a coffin made of a material that presents an obstacle to cremation, the authorisation to transfer the body to a coffin suitable for cremation, provided for in article L. 2223-42-1, is issued by the mayor of the municipality of the place where the coffin is opened and changed, at the request of the person…

Cremation takes place: – where death occurred in France, not less than twenty-four hours and not more than six days after death; – where death occurred in the overseas collectivities, New Caledonia or abroad, not more than six days after the body entered France. Sundays and public holidays are not included in the calculation of these time limits. Exceptions to the time limits provided for in the second and third…

When the cremation is carried out in a commune other than that in which the coffin was closed, a copy of the declaration of transport is immediately sent, by any means, to the mayor of the commune of the place of cremation.

Cremation of the remains of exhumed bodies is authorised, at the request of the next of kin, by the mayor of the commune of the place of exhumation.

At the end of the period mentioned in the second paragraph of article L. 2223-18-1, if the urn is not claimed and after formal notice by registered letter from the person who provided for the funeral or, failing this, from the next of kin of the deceased, the ashes are scattered in the space set aside for this purpose in the cemetery of the municipality of the place of death…