Death in France


  1. Introduction
  2. Registering a Death
  3. Funeral
  4. Repatriation
  5. Bank Accounts
  6. Inheritance/Succession
  7. Spouses's French Pension
  8. Bereavement Grant
  9. UK Pensions/Benefits
  10. Income Tax
  11. Vehicle Sale/Transfer

1. Introduction

The death of a spouse, partner or family member is a traumatic time whenever and wherever it occurs, but it is likely to be more difficult if it occurs outside of your native country.

Living abroad, family members may find it more difficult to offer regular, extended support, friends and neighbours may be few in number, and at a time of great vulnerability you will be required to deal with the formalities in a language you may not fully understand.

To make those formalities more manageable we have prepared a guide to death procedures.


The guide has been prepared in collaboration with France based English speaking volunteer group Bereavement Support Network (BSN).

The Bereavement Support Network helps English speaking residents throughout France to manage their bereavement or terminal illness. They are a group of committed, trained volunteers, with the common experience of having coped with bereavement and supported those facing death, or suffering from anticipatory grief as a carer. There is no fee payable. You can contact BSN by mail at [email protected] or via their website at Bereavement Support Network.







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