The following tasks should be completed following the death of an immediate family member here in FRANCE:
1.	Within 24 hours. 
    
•	Have a doctor declare the death. 
      
•	Contact a funeral service/undertaker to manage the burial, cremation or repatriation of the body (it is recommended to get a full quote in advance) 
      
•	If repatriation of the corpse is required, then the full cause of death on the death certificate is needed by UK authorities, not just "Dead, Time and Place" which is normal in France. 

•	Make a declaration of the death at the local Mairie.

2.	Within six days. 

•	Make arrangements for the funeral and burial or cremation.
      
•	If the deceased has a military pension, inform the SP&VA, this will stop over-payment of the military pension. If the surviving partner married while the deceased was still serving, the partner should be entitled to a widow's or widower's single pension. The SP&VA will provide the necessary form. If marriage took place long after service then a single pension may not be payable. 

3.	Within the first few weeks, up to a month. 
    
•	Get a copy of the death certificate (intégrale d'acte de décès) from the Mairie (this is free and may be issued immediately on request) see above for details of cause of death. 

•	Heirs request an ‘Inheritance Certificate’ (certificat d'hérédité) from the deceased's local Mairie, or from the heirs local Mairie if they are resident in France. Proof of identity and relationship to the deceased are required and the Mayor has the right to refuse if not satisfied. Supply ID document and any documents that justify the heirship.

•	Get an ‘Act of recognition’ (acte de notoriété héréditaire), a document issued by a notary which provides proof of heirship and is needed by the deceased's spouse or immediate heir to close bank accounts, change ownership on the Carte Grise vehicle registration documents and so on. 
•	Notify the deceased's employer (if relevant). 

•	Notify the deceased's landlord (if relevant). 

•	Notify the deceased's bank and any organisations where policies are held (insurance, credit).
 
•	Notify the deceased CPAM health insurance office and submit the Carte Vitale. Death benefits are paid to the surviving heirs and final medical expenses (if relevant) are reimbursed.

•	Notify the deceased's Mutuelle and Life Insurance provider.
 
•	Notify the pensions and unemployment authorities (if relevant).
      
•	If the deceased was in a PACS relationship, this must be dissolved by the court (Greffier du tribunal d'instance) where the PACS was first registered. 
•	Full details on PACS inheritance rights: (only in French at the moment)

4.	Within six months.
    
o	Contact a lawyer to manage the dissolution of the estate. This includes the release of inheritance and declaration and payment of inheritance taxes.

5.	Within a reasonable period (one to six months).
    
•	Notify all service providers (telephone, water and electricity), and any other people and organisations relevant to the deceased. 

•	Vehicle insurance and registration, other insurance. 

•	Tenants (if relevant).