France is facing a crisis in its funeral services as the number of deaths surges due to a record-breaking heatwave.

Elisabeth Charrier, president of the French National Funeral Association, stated in a media interview on June 29 (local time) that "the occupancy rate of funeral homes, which is typically between 30 and 45 percent during the summer, has soared to over 66 percent nationwide."

Charrier explained that "morgues have reached their capacity limits in some areas, particularly in urban centers."

She added, "The biggest problem is in central Paris, where the only two funeral homes have been at full capacity since June 26. People are forced to look for facilities in the suburbs of Paris or even further away."

She also predicted that "a domino effect will occur over the next few days."

"What makes the situation more difficult is the increasing wait time for cremation appointments and the time it takes to secure burial plots," she said, expressing concern. "Cemetery staff cannot dig graves any faster, and cremation slots are filling up in an instant."

The French Public Health Agency analyzed that the number of deaths has increased sharply since June 23, the hottest day on record, with approximately 1,000 additional deaths occurring over the three-day period compared to the seasonal average.

The rise in deaths was concentrated in areas where red heatwave alerts were issued, including the capital region (Paris), Normandy and Brittany in the northwest, and the southwestern regions including Loire and Bordeaux.

Eighty-five percent of the deaths during this period were among those aged 65 and older.


The opposition party strongly criticized the authorities for their insufficient response to the extreme weather conditions.

Marine Tondelier, leader of the Green Party, warned on social media platform X that "we must thoroughly investigate the massive loss of life expected and hold those politically responsible for this tragic situation accountable," adding that some will have to face the consequences.

However, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez countered in an interview with local media, stating, "This is not a government failure, and temperatures at this level, far exceeding seasonal averages, are unprecedented."

Nunez emphasized, "In the long term, we need to consider not only the level of air conditioning in France but, more importantly, how public buildings should be constructed."

France maintains a significantly lower rate of air conditioning penetration compared to neighboring countries and other developed nations.

Due to the country's climate, there has historically been less need for air conditioning, and many old buildings and apartment complexes have faced restrictions on installing outdoor units.

Furthermore, many areas maintain regulations to preserve historical exteriors, which has kept the rate of residential air conditioning very low.

Environmental concerns, such as the high power consumption of air conditioners and the heat emitted from outdoor units further raising ambient temperatures, have also played a role.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)