Section 1: Cemeteries

For the application of the second paragraph of Article L. 2223-1, municipalities with a population of more than 2,000 and those that belong, in whole or in part, to an urban area with a population of more than 2,000 shall be deemed to be urban municipalities. Silence kept for more than six months on the request for authorisation provided for in article L. 2223-1 is deemed to be a decision…

The highest, north-facing sites are preferred. These must be chosen on the basis of a report drawn up by the hydrogeologist. This report gives an opinion on the risk that the highest water level of the free surface water table could be less than one metre from the bottom of the graves. They are surrounded by a fence at least 1.50 metres high. This fence may be made of wire…

Each burial takes place in a separate grave. Each grave is 1.50 metres to 2 metres deep by 80 centimetres wide. It is then filled with well-trodden earth.

The pits are 30 to 40 centimetres apart at the sides, and 30 to 50 centimetres apart at the head and feet.

The opening of graves for new burials only takes place every five years.

Where the cemetery does not offer sufficient space for the construction of the ossuary referred to in the first paragraph of article L. 2223-4, the remains may be transferred by decision of the mayor to the ossuary of another cemetery belonging to the municipality. Where the commune is a member of a syndicate of communes, a district or an urban community, the transfer may take place under the same conditions…

In the case provided for in the third paragraph of article L. 2223-5, the decision to fill wells is taken by order of the prefect at the request of the mayor.

No inscription may be placed on tombstones or funerary monuments without first being submitted to the mayor for approval.

The town council may decide to allocate all or part of a cemetery for the deposit or burial of urns and the scattering of the ashes of cremated bodies. .