Cremation for Non Residents
 

If I keep coming to my house in France for a number of years, there is always the possibility that I might die in that house or elsewhere in France (near or far).


Since I have opted for cremation rather than burial in a family plot, it would seem to make sense to be cremated in the country of death (France or England) rather than have the body shipped back to Scotland.


How easy is to transport a body to a crematorium in France ?
Does it have to be done by an Undertaker ?
I remember reading that a coffin needed permission to enter or pass through a Dept (or maybe a region or a Canton or a commune !)

Re: Cremation for Non Residents
 

Hi, the Undertakers deal with everything.
Just make sure that the next of kin knows your wishes for a cremation, or that they are written somewhere in French. You could choose your Undertakers as from now and enquire about the formalities..
Also, be warned that the police will come to the "Maison Funéraire" in your town before the coffin is closed, to ensure that the deceased is indeed the deceased, as there's no possibility of identifying the body later, if necessary...
Apparently, after the Maison Funéraire or Church ceremony, the Undertakers can take the coffin to the nearest Crematorium without further ceremony if the family are unable (or unwilling) to drive that far.
Hope this helps!
P.S. I've just noticed "non-residents" in the title. It might be an idea to take out an international insurance to cover the Undertakers' fees and everything else if D-day occurs in France, but don't let the French Undertakers persuade you to take it out with them! My late neighbour realised that the premiums which she was paying every year came to far higher than the actual costs would be.... (and the insurance wouldn't be valid for the UK).

Re: Cremation for Non Residents
 

DMU's closing statement is extremely relevant. I'd advise anyone not to take out a specific assurance obseques here or elsewhere without a great deal of serious research. Simply because there have been so much abuse, doubtful schemes, weasly contract terms etc even with apparently established specialist companies.
These were reported last year, and even more recently: Links HERE, and HERE
Google escroquerie a l'assurance vie, or arnaques assurance obseques for a multitude of cases. One forum recommended something along the lines of, 'if you must take out death insurance, ensure that you die young!'

To bring a speck of humor into the post, this subject always reminds me of the classic O.F.A.H. sketch, where late one evening Grandpa Trotter collapses with feigned exhaustion and says, "Del, I want to be cremated". True to form, DelBoy Trotter exclaims, "Well, you'll have to wait 'till tomorrow Grandad, they're closed now!"