Romain Nicolas launches tomb maintenance business

Romain Nicolas, a man from Bessan, has started a company called Mémo Rénove that focuses on cleaning, maintaining, and renovating tombs. The business officially began on April 20th, 2026, and offers a range of services aimed at preserving funeral sites.

Nicolas' background in funeral industry

Nicolas has spent thirteen years in the funeral industry, a career that began unexpectedly when he was a temporary factory worker. He was asked to step in for someone responsible for carrying a coffin during a religious ceremony, an experience that led him to find fulfillment in the profession.

Career progression in funeral services

Over the years, Nicolas advanced through various roles in the funeral industry, including bearer, driver, convoy leader, and gravedigger. These experiences gave him a deep understanding of the emotional and practical aspects of working with families during times of loss.

Identifying a need for tomb maintenance

Nicolas observed that families often lack the means or opportunity to regularly maintain their loved ones' graves. This realization led him to see a gap in the market for specialized tomb maintenance and renovation services.

Inspiration from carpentry and Compagnons du devoir

After a period of unemployment, Nicolas decided to start Mémo Rénove, drawing inspiration from his experience in carpentry with the Compagnons du devoir. This background helped him develop the skills necessary for more complex restoration work.

Range of services offered by Mémo Rénove

Mémo Rénove provides a variety of services, from basic cleaning tasks to full renovations of funeral monuments. These include weeding, joint restoration, repairing tomb doors, and cleaning stones, as well as more complex interventions like monument removal, creating stone pieces, and restoring inscriptions through rechamfering, painting, or gilding.