Keeping the deceased at home in France: Steps to follow

Whether it's to respect the deceased's final wishes or because the family desires it, it is possible in France to keep the deceased at home until the day of the funeral.

What are the steps to keep the deceased at home in France?

1. Have the death confirmed

   When a death occurs, there are mandatory steps to be taken.

   A doctor must confirm the death, and the family must then report it to the city hall of the place where the death occurred within 24 hours.

2. Transport the deceased

   Once the death has been confirmed by the doctor, the family has several options depending on the place of death.

   If the death occurred in a healthcare facility:

   In this case, the deceased can be transferred to their home or that of a relative. A written authorization from the closest relative is required.

   Two conditions must be met in order to transfer the deceased:

   • The transfer must take place within 48 hours after the death

   • There must not be an ongoing police investigation requiring a transfer to a forensic institute

   If the death occurred at home:

   The deceased can be kept at home or transferred to a funeral home or mortuary.

   You can consult our guide dedicated to deaths that occur at home.

3. Preserving the deceased at home

   It is essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure that the stay of the deceased at home goes smoothly:

   • Do not create drafts in the room or open the window. This may seem counterintuitive, but there should be as little air circulation as possible.

   • Lower the temperature as much as possible by turning off heaters and other electronic devices.

   • If the temperature is low enough, light candles to reduce the oxygen level in the room.

   • Close the curtains and keep the room dark.

   Additionally, it is essential to use a method for preserving the deceased. There are two options: embalming or the use of a refrigerated table.

   Embalming:

   Embalming is highly recommended for families who wish to keep their loved one at home. In fact, in the absence of a cold room, the process of body decomposition begins.

   According to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior, "They (the embalming) can also be done at the deceased's home only if the death occurred at home." Consequently, if the death did not occur at home, embalming must be carried out before the deceased is transported home.

   If the death occurred at home, embalming performed on-site is very regulated, and numerous rules must be followed:

   • The embalming must be carried out no later than 36 hours after the death. In some exceptional cases, this period may be extended by an additional 12 hours.

   • A prior declaration must be sent to the city hall of the municipality where the embalming is performed.

   • The usable floor area must be more than 10 square meters.

   • The room must be isolated from the rest of the housing and have at least one opening with access to the outside air.

   • The room must be able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after the embalming. Alternatively, waterproof tarps can be placed to protect the floor and wall coverings.

   • The embalming must be performed on a medical bed or treatment table, covered with a waterproof cover.

   The embalmer ensures that all these rules are followed to ensure the safety of professionals and family members.

   Refrigerated table:

   It is also possible to opt for a refrigerated table. This is an eco-friendly alternative to embalming. It can be provided by the funeral home in charge of the funeral.

   The body of the deceased, placed on the table, is preserved by the cold.