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Funeral Arrangements
Death of a U.S. Citizen

Funeral Arrangements in France for U.S. Citizen

The following general information is provided to assist families in their initial decisions. Indicated costs are estimates, based on deaths with no unusual circumstances and should be considered for guidance purposes only. These estimates also relate only to costs incurred in the Paris area (inclusive of shipping). United States funeral home costs will need to be added.

The family or legal representative must pay all funeral home expenses, shipping costs of the remains and personal effects (if applicable). The SCS Unit will work with any funeral home selected by the family to ensure proper documentation for shipment of remains to the United States. See the list of English-speaking Funeral Homes that are familiar with the international shipping requirement of human remains.

Should you decide to have burial take place in France, the consular officer and local officials will take every possible care to follow your wishes as to ceremony and site of burial.

  • The costs for burial in France (not embalmed) are approximately $4,500 including a 10-year grave rental.
  • The costs for cremation and disposition of ashes in France are approximately $4,200 including 10-year niche rental.

Should you decide to have the remains returned to the U.S. for burial, the costs would be substantially greater due to the high cost of airfreight and embalming:

  • The total cost for preparation and air shipment of the remains to the East Coast of the U.S. is approximately $6,000; to the Midwest, approximately $6,200; or to the West Coast, approximately $6,400.
  • The cost of cremation and air shipment of ashes anywhere in the United States is approximately $4,500.

In Paris: You may contact our services at: Tel. 01.43.12.29.97 or send an e-mail to citizeninfo@state.gov or, contact the Department of State in Washington, D.C., Tel: (202) 647-5226 for detailed instructions on how to transmit the funds.

In Marseille: You may contact our services at: Tel. 01.43.12.47.54., send an e-mail to citizeninfomarseille@state.gov, or contact the Department of State in Washington, DC by Tel: (202) 647-5226 for detailed instructions on how to transmit the funds.