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Pioneering French surgery restores sight to man using part of his tooth
Revolutionary operation allows people to regain most of their vision after their cornea is damages
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French policeman charged with rape of British tourist
The Marseille prosecutor opened an inquiry after the tourist filed a complaint
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Heritage Days in France: ideas for visits this weekend plus photos
Over 2,000 sites are set to welcome visitors for free on September 20 and 21
Do residents have right to be buried in their village?
If I live in France do I have automatic right to be buried in my village? J.H.
You do, and your nationality makes no difference, assuming that there is a public cemetery with available plots.
As a rule, residents of France have the right to be buried in the cemetery of the commune where they lived, where they died or where they have a family tomb.
It may be possible in other communes (especially if you lived there at some point or you have family there) but the mayor can refuse, giving reasons, for example because you have no demonstrable link with the area.
It is not generally possible to be buried on private property, though it is sometimes allowed, on permission of the regional prefect. Practical reasons also usually make it inappropriate – for example, if the property is sold a right remains for relatives to visit the grave.
It is possible to reserve a burial plot in your lifetime, and this may simplify matters for relatives. You, or your relatives if you did not do this, would talk to the mairie or, in some larger towns, the bureau des cimetières. Costs vary on the timespan, from around five years to perpetuity.