The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and difficult experience. However, there are important legal and administrative steps to take when this happens. This article will guide you to following essential key steps.

Registering the death

A doctor must issue a death certificate (certificat de décès), after which the funeral home receives the deceased. The person’s GP can certify the death, or you can call the emergency services (Samu, 15).

After the doctor certifies the death, you must register / declare it to the Mairie within 24 hours (a funeral director can also handle this). This can be the Mairie of either the place of death or the deceased’s place of residence.

You will need to present identification for both you and the deceased. The Mairie will then issue an official acte de décès which includes most of the information from the doctor’s certificate, excluding the cause of death.

§  Useful tip: Obtain multiple copies of the acte de décès, as you will need them to close bank accounts and handle other administrative tasks.

It’s also important to gather together all of the key documents for the person who has died, such as Passport/ID of the deceased; Marriage certificate (if applicable); Birth certificate; Will (if available); Insurance policies (life, health, etc.) and any property deeds.

Funeral arrangements

Many people will talk openly about the type of funeral they wish to have – either in conversation or included in their will. You must respect their wishes. If though it is not clear, relatives can decide – the principal options being a cremation or a burial. The Mairie imposes restrictions on where you can scatter ashes, so check with them before making arrangements. Details of funeral directors are available on the Pompes Funèbres de France website.

Alternatively, a person can donate their body to medical science – donation du corps à la science. If this is the case, the first stage is to contact a university medical school.

The funeral must take place within 6 days of death. The cost of a funeral in France is around 4,000 €.

Insurance & financial matters

After a person dies, you must contact the relevant companies for insurance (home, car, health, life, etc.), bank accounts, and other financial matters.

Inheritance

 A Notaire is responsible for identifying any inheritance rights of the deceased member’s family and handling the estate. There are strict laws on inheritance in France – check the Notaires.fr website which has detailed information in English on this and other matters.

Contact us

Insurance France is the trading name of AXA Marthon. We are an English and French speaking AXA agency, taking care of your insurance so you can enjoy your life in France.

For a free, no obligation quotation please get in touch:

Phone: +33 (0)5 45 70 43 76

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Website: insurancefrance.fr