Declaration of Death - Death in hospital or nursing home
Verified 26 avril 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
General case
It's a healthcare professional who records the death and establishes the death certificate.
The health care practitioner may be one of the following:
- Doctor
- Retired doctor
- Student in class of 3e cycle of medical studies in France
- Foreigners diploma practitioner outside European Union authorized to pursue a journey of consolidation of medical skills
- Qualified volunteer nurse, subject to conditions.
Violent death
In case of violent death (e.g. accidental death, suicide), alert the police or the national gendarmerie.
Funerals can only take place after obtaining judicial authorization, called record for burial.
It shall be established by a judicial police officer, on the order of public prosecutor.
The institution is responsible for the declaration of death to the civil registry office of the municipality of death (or the civil registry office of the hospital).
Please note
The establishment can ask for the family record book or an identity document of the deceased.
The institution must report the death within 24 hours.
Following the declaration of death, the City Hall establishes a death certificate.
Please note
The mortuary chamber of a health facility receives the deceased free of charge for 3 days (then at the daily rate). The reception in a private funeral room (or funeral home) is paid from the 1ster day. In addition, admission must be made within 48 hours of death. Conservation care is not mandatory.
Death certificate
Certificate of Death (Article L2223-42)
Post-death operations
Conditions for issuing a death certificate by a nurse
FAQ
Ministry of Economy
