Section 1: Cemeteries

Differentiated tariffs for each category of concessions are set by the municipal council of the commune. These tariffs may, in each class, be progressive, according to the extent of the area granted, for the part of this area that exceeds 2 square metres.

In accordance with article L. 2223-17, a perpetual plot may not be deemed to be in a state of abandonment before the expiry of a period of thirty years from the date of the plot deed. The procedure provided for in the articles L. 2223-4, R. 2223-13 to R. 2223-21 can only be engaged ten years after the last burial made in the conceded plot.

The state of abandonment is recorded in a report drawn up by the mayor or his delegate after a visit to the site, in the presence of a police officer delegated by the head of the district or, in the absence of the latter, a forest warden or a municipal police officer. The descendants or successors of the concession holders, if the mayor is aware that any still exist, are…

The report: – indicates the exact location of the plot; – accurately describes the condition in which it is found; – mentions, where the necessary information has been obtained, the date of the plot deed, the names of the parties who appeared on this deed, the names of their beneficiaries and the deceased buried in the plot. A copy of the plot deed is attached to the report if possible….

When the mayor is aware of the existence of descendants or successors of the concession holders, he shall notify them within eight days of a copy of the official report and give them formal notice to restore the concession to a good state of maintenance. The notification and formal notice shall be made by a single registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

Within the same eight-day period, extracts from the minutes are brought to the attention of the public by means of posters affixed for one month to the door of the town hall, as well as to the door of the cemetery. These posters are renewed twice at fortnightly intervals. A certificate signed by the mayor records the completion of these postings. It is appended to the original minutes.

A list of concessions whose state of abandonment has been established in accordance with articles R. 2223-12 to R. 2223-16. This list is deposited at the office of the cemetery curator, if this post exists, as well as at the prefecture and sub-prefecture. An inscription placed at the entrance to the cemetery indicates the places where this list is deposited and made available to the public.

After the expiry of the one-year period provided for in Article L. 2223-17, where the plot is still in a state of abandonment, a new official report, drawn up by the mayor or his delegate, in the forms provided for by the articles R. 2223-13 and R. 2223-14, is notified to the interested parties with an indication of the action that must be taken. One month after this notification and…

The mayor’s order to take back the land allocated to a plot is enforceable by operation of law as soon as it has been published and notified.

Thirty days after publication and notification of the decree, the mayor may have the materials of the monuments and funerary emblems remaining on the plot removed. He shall have the remains of the interred persons exhumed. For each plot, these remains are placed in an appropriately sized coffin.