The General Code of Local and Regional Authorities provided that burial or cremation must take place Not less than 24 hours and not more than 6 days after death. Sundays and public holidays were not not included in the calculation of those time limits. The decree published in Official Journal of 11 July 2024 extends that period to 14 calendar days. These time limits may, however, be waived by the Prefects.

The maximum period shall be extended to 14 calendar days from the day following the death

You have now 14 days maximum (public holidays and Sunday included) to bury or incinerate the body of your deceased. In the event of death overseas or abroad, the deadline begins on the day the body enters the mainland. If there is a forensic problem (for example, suicide or suspicious death), burial takes place at the latest 14 calendar days after authorization for burial issued by the public prosecutor.

The prefect may grant a blanket waiver for burials

Due to specific local circumstances, the prefect may waive the obligation to provide burials in the territory of the department for 21 calendar days after death. The maximum duration is 1 month renewable.