Scattering of ashes

Not every family has a grave to visit. After a cremation, the ashes may be scattered, and then no grave remains. The app is preparing to show these people too. This page sets out what French law provides; it applies in France only.

General information, checked on 2 October 2026. It does not replace the advice of the town hall or of the funeral director.

One year to decide

After the cremation, the urn may be kept for one year at most at the crematorium, or in a place of worship with the agreement of the association in charge of it. If no decision is made within that time, the ashes are scattered in the area set aside for this purpose in the cemetery of the municipality where the death occurred, or at the nearest cinerary site.

Where the ashes may go

In a cemetery or a cinerary site

In the open countryside

Scattering is allowed in the open countryside, but not on a public road, nor in a public place such as a stadium, a square or a public garden, nor in a private garden. It is possible on a large private area of land (a field, a meadow, a forest) with the owner’s agreement.

At sea

The ashes may be scattered out at sea. The urn may also be immersed there if it is made of a biodegradable material, keeping to the regulatory distances from the coast.

A declaration to the town hall of the place of birth

Scattering in the open countryside must be declared to the town hall of the municipality where the deceased was born. The identity of the deceased and the date and place of the scattering are entered in a register kept for this purpose.

What the law forbids

Where this information comes from

For a particular situation, the town hall and the funeral director remain the right people to ask.