France's funeral industry is evolving with personalized rituals and new professionals like funeral planners, offering more flexible and empathetic options for grieving families.
Funeral industry in France is changing
An investigation by PFG/CSA in 2022 found that the funeral industry in France, which has traditionally followed strict and uniform practices, is now adapting to offer more personalized and flexible services. This evolution has led to the rise of new professionals and venues that cater to diverse needs and preferences.New roles and venues in the funeral sector
Valery Guyot-Sionnest, a pioneer in funeral planning in France, and Julien Courtois, manager of the Solaris, a venue near the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, have both observed this transformation. Guyot-Sionnest transitioned from a career in communication to funeral planning twelve years ago, aiming to provide more tailored support to grieving families.Expanding funeral planning services
Valery Guyot-Sionnest explains that her role includes preparing both religious and secular ceremonies, managing travel and accommodation for relatives, and handling logistical tasks such as obituaries and ceremony books. She aims to reduce the stress on families so they can focus on mourning. Her work has included unusual requests, such as arranging 1,600 roses in a funeral room or organizing a remote ceremony for a family in Guadeloupe.Innovations in funeral spaces
Funecap, a major European funeral services group, has also embraced this shift. Inspired by practices in the Netherlands and Belgium, they are building "conviviality salons" in their crematoriums to allow relatives to gather and socialize after funerals. This change reflects broader societal trends, as people are no longer dying in their birthplace, requiring more adaptable funeral arrangements.Adapting venues to new needs
The Solaris, originally used for weddings and corporate events, has now adapted to host "farewell gatherings" due to rising demand. Julien Courtois notes that these events are generally less expensive, with an average cost of around 25,000 euros. He highlights the need for venues to be flexible, as the number of attendees and the length of the event can vary widely.Personalized approaches to mourning
Quentin, who organized a farewell gathering for his late partner without a funeral planner, emphasizes the importance of finding a venue and staff that are empathetic and adaptable. He chose a bar that could accommodate the event, showing that people are increasingly seeking ways to honor their loved ones that reflect their personal preferences and the needs of their families.
