Heatwave deaths rise as French funeral homes reach capacity

France is grappling with a surge in heat-related deaths as a punishing heatwave strains funeral services, with reports indicating that morgues in Paris are overwhelmed. The government is defending its response to the extreme temperatures, which have eased after days of record-breaking heat that disrupted daily life and led to school and tourist attraction closures.

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The main difficulty is in central Paris, where the only two funeral homes have been at full capacity since last Friday.

Elisabeth Charrier, head of the National Funeral Federation, stated that funeral home occupancy has risen above 66 percent nationwide, significantly higher than the typical 30-45 percent during summer. She noted that in central Paris, the two available funeral homes have been at full capacity since Friday, forcing people to seek services in surrounding areas. Charrier warned of a potential "domino effect" as cremation slots and cemetery spaces become scarce due to the inability of staff to accelerate grave digging and cremation processes.

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People have to go outside Paris, into the inner or outer suburbs, or even further, to find space and be able to pay their respects.

French health officials reported approximately 1,000 excess deaths since last Wednesday, the period when temperatures hit record highs. The majority of these, 85 percent, were individuals aged 65 and older. The sharpest increase in deaths occurred among people dying at home, particularly in Paris and its suburbs. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu defended the government's measures, stating they had "held up well" and that air conditioners for hospitals are expected by the end of the week. However, opposition figures like Greens leader Marine Tondelier criticized the response, pointing to shortages of ice in emergency departments and the difficult conditions faced by healthcare workers.

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What may complicate matters is the extension of waiting times for cremation slots or burial space in cemeteries.