In France, communes are responsible for managing cemeteries. According to article L.2213-9 of the French Code Général des Collectivités Territoriales, town councils are responsible for clearing access roads, maintaining green spaces and, more generally, ensuring that the cemetery runs smoothly. This means that, in addition to maintaining the cemetery, local authorities are also responsible for making all the necessary arrangements to meet the needs of their constituents. Expectations that have changed considerably over the last 15 years.
Indeed, while 2% of French people asked to be crematized in 1989, the figure has risen to 34% in 2016. This progression has forced the authorities to adapt current funeral legislation. Since December 19, 2008, communes with more than 2,000 inhabitants must have at least one cinerary space, i.e. a columbariuma remembrance garden and a space dedicated to cavurnes (buried urns).
Tight budgets for local authorities
Faced with these new investments, municipalities sometimes find themselves at a loss. At a time when public subsidies have fallen by 24% in just three years, municipalities are being called upon to contribute to a number of government bills: reform of school rhythms, national technical standards, revaluation of the active solidarity income... Caught between falling budgets and rising expenditure, local authorities are struggling to find the funding they need to create new cinerary spaces. And the situation is unlikely to improve this year, as public subsidies are set to fall by 1 billion euros in 2017. As a direct consequence of this situation, 40% of local authorities are planning to reduce their staffing levels, and 36% to cut their subsidies to associations.
Granimond's financial solutions to help local authorities set up cinerary spaces
To help communities meet these new challenges, Granimond offers a range of financing solutions for cinerary spaces. Based on a maximum two- to three-year contract, the investments required to install a new columbarium and/or memorial garden are advanced by Granimond, with no additional financial costs.
Firstly, the mutual agreement contract: local authorities undertake to declare to Granimond on a quarterly basis the number of columbarium concessions granted to families. They then pay Granimond the amount corresponding to the number of spaces occupied. This solution enables payments to be staggered and eases the burden on local authorities. A "self-financing" solution available to communes.
In addition to this solution, Granimond offers a multi-budget settlement, giving local authorities the possibility of concluding a contract covering two or even three budgets, without additional financial costs.
In this way, local authorities can develop their cemeteries in line with the expectations of their constituents, without having to worry about financial constraints. If you would like more information on this subject, our sales advisors will be happy to answer your questions.
