France burial lottery: Win a chance to be buried near famous people

France Burial Lottery: A Chance to Rest Near Famous Figures

Parisians can win the opportunity to be buried near renowned personalities in cemeteries such as Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. The City of Paris has introduced a lottery that grants burial plots adjacent to some historical icons.

Lottery Details

Each burial plot is priced at €4,000.
Ten plots are available in each of the three famous cemeteries.
Applicants must commit to restoring the gravestones of nearby graves.
The lottery winner will be announced by January 2026.

Conditions for Winners

The new plot owner bears responsibility for burial arrangements, with fees starting at €976 for a 10-year period and €17,668 for perpetual tenure. Failure to meet obligations results in forfeiture of both the plot and deposited funds.

Eligibility

Only Paris residents are eligible to apply for the burial lottery.

Historical Context

"There is a finite amount of burial land and an infinite amount of dead people."

Notable figures buried in these cemeteries include Jim Morrison from The Doors, author Oscar Wilde, and the legendary French singer Édith Piaf. The concept of famous grave burial gained momentum following Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, who was often misunderstood during her lifetime.

Author's Summary

The burial lottery offers Parisians a unique chance to secure a historic final resting place beside iconic cultural figures, reflecting the city's creative approach to limited cemetery space.

WION — 2025-11-05